The “old fashioned” was probably the first drink to be called a cocktail.

It was said to have originated at the Pendennis Club in Louisville, Ky. in the 1880s. It was invented by a bartender there. However, the popularity was due to a member of the club who happened to be a bourbon distiller, Colonel James Pepper.

There are now many variations of the drink. Some say that it’s not a true old fashioned unless it’s made the way they made it originally. I say make it the way you like it. Try the recipe below as a base and tweak it as you choose.

What you need:

Old fashioned glass, also known as a lowball or rocks glass

1 or 2 sugar cubes

Orange bitters

2 slices of orange

Ice cubes

1.5 ounces bourbon, such as Woodford Reserve or Maker’s Mark

Club soda

1 Maraschino cherry (optional)

Directions:

Put sugar cubes in the old fashioned glass.

Saturate sugar cubes with orange bitters, about 2 to 3 dashes.

Add a slice of orange. One near the end will have more peel and therefore more aromatic orange oils.

Muddle.

Add 3 to 4 ice cubes.

Add the bourbon. You want the good stuff because you will taste it. This cocktail is all about highlighting the bourbon flavors.

Add club soda to fill.

Stir.

Add orange and cherry for garnish.