Muscat Old Fashioned

The Old Fashioned is one of the world’s great cocktails for a reason. Whisky, sweetness, bitters and ice: simple, balanced and deeply satisfying. But swap the sugar syrup for a measure of Rutherglen Classic Muscat and something interesting happens.

The Muscat brings sweetness, yes, but also depth. Caramel, dried fruit, a faint nuttiness and that complex rancio character that comes from years in oak. Where sugar syrup just sweetens, Muscat adds layers. The result is an Old Fashioned that tastes like it took considerably more thought than it actually did.

This is the cocktail we recommend to whisky drinkers who think they do not like fortified wine. It has a very high conversion rate.

Serves 1. Ready in 3 minutes.

Ingredients

●     45ml bourbon or rye whisky

●     20ml NV Classic Muscat

●     2 dashes Angostura bitters

●     1 dash orange bitters

●     Large ice cube

●     Orange twist to garnish

Method

1.  Add the whisky, Muscat and both bitters to a mixing glass filled with ice.

2.  Stir for 30 seconds until well chilled and slightly diluted.

3.  Strain over a large single ice cube in a rocks glass.

4.  Express the orange twist over the drink and place it on the rim.

Tip: The Muscat replaces the sugar syrup here and brings considerably more complexity. Start with 15ml if you prefer it on the drier side. A large single ice cube dilutes the drink more slowly and keeps it colder for longer.

Which Muscat to Use

NV Classic Muscat is the pick. It has more depth and complexity than the entry-level Rutherglen tier, with caramel, dried fruit and walnut notes that stand up beautifully alongside whisky. Shop Classic Muscat at stantonandkilleen.com.au.