CLASSIC COCKTAIL · 1850–1889
Improved Whiskey Cocktail
The Old Fashioned’s ornate cousin, lifted with maraschino, absinthe and a cherry.
1876Historical classicResearched
The Improved Whiskey Cocktail appeared in Jerry Thomas’s 1876 Bar-tender’s Guide, alongside improved versions of the brandy and gin cocktails. These “improved” Old Fashioneds were distinguished by European ingredients — maraschino liqueur and a dash of absinthe — and a lemon-moistened glass rim. Thomas’s recipe is the template for the modern drink: whiskey, sugar, bitters, maraschino and absinthe, stirred and served with a lemon twist.
THE RECIPESpirit-forward, herbal and subtly sweet
Ingredients
- Rye whiskey60 ml
- Maraschino liqueur7.5 ml
- Absinthe2.5 ml
- Angostura and Peychaud’s1 dash each
- Lemon peel and cherryto garnish
Method
Stir the rye, maraschino, absinthe and bitters with ice until chilled. Strain over a large ice cube in a rocks glass and garnish with a lemon peel and a cherry.
Rocks glass · large ice cube · lemon peel and cherry