Well, let me tell ya about this here drink, the Don Draper Old Fashioned, like them fancy folks on TV drink. Don’t know who this Don Draper fella is, but he sure knows his drinks, or at least the people makin’ the show do.
So, first things first, ya gotta get yourself some of that brown liquor, the bourbon kind. They say rye whiskey works too, but I ain’t never had much rye, so I stick with what I know. You need about this much, see?
- Two shots, they call it two ounces. But I just eyeball it, like when I’m pourin’ milk for the grandkids.
Now, this next part’s important. You need somethin’ called bitters. Don’t ask me what it is, some kinda fancy herbs or somethin’. Just a couple of drops, mind you, don’t go pourin’ it in like it’s water. Too much and it’ll taste like medicine, and nobody wants that.
Then comes the sweet stuff. Now, some folks use a sugar cube, all fancy-like. But I just use a spoonful of that fine sugar, the kind that melts real easy. Superfine sugar, they call it. You gotta mix it all up ’til the sugar’s gone, dissolved they say. A little splash of water helps with that.
Next, get yourself a big ol’ ice cube. Not that crushed-up stuff, a real chunk of ice. Put it in a glass, pour your whiskey mix over it, and stir it real good. Gotta get it nice and cold, see? Don’t shake it like them martini fellas, just stir it gentle-like.
Now, for the fancy fixin’s. You gotta have a cherry, the bright red kind. And a piece of orange, too. Just a little slice, not the whole thing. Stick ’em in the glass, and there you have it, a Don Draper Old Fashioned. Or somethin’ like it, anyway. I ain’t no bartender, just makin’ a drink the way I heard it.
Here’s the whole thing, step-by-step, so you don’t get lost:
- First, get your glass and put a big ice cube in it.
- Then, pour in two ounces of bourbon or rye whiskey.
- Add two dashes of bitters, just a couple of drops.
- Put in a teaspoon of superfine sugar, or a sugar cube if you’re feeling fancy.
- Add a little splash of water.
- Stir it all up real good until the sugar is dissolved.
- Stick in a maraschino cherry and a piece of orange.
Now, this drink ain’t for the faint of heart. It’s strong, you know? But it’s good, real good. Especially on a cold night, or when you just want to sit back and relax after a long day of, well, whatever it is you do. I ain’t judgin’.
Some folks say this drink is old-fashioned, like the name says. But I reckon good things never go out of style. Like a good pair of shoes, or a warm blanket on a winter night. This drink, it’s the same way. It’s simple, it’s strong, and it gets the job done.
So, there you have it. That’s how you make a Don Draper Old Fashioned, or at least how this old woman makes it. It ain’t rocket science, just a good ol’ drink that’ll warm you up from the inside out. Now, go on and make yourself one. And don’t forget the cherry, it makes it look all fancy-like. And who doesn’t like a little fancy now and then? Even if you’re just sittin’ on the porch, watchin’ the sun go down.
I heard some folks like to experiment. They add different kinds of bitters, or use different types of sugar. I even heard of someone puttin’ maple syrup in it! Can ya believe that? Maple syrup! Well, to each their own, I say. But for me, I stick with the basics. Bourbon, bitters, sugar, cherry, orange. That’s all you need. And maybe a good friend to share it with. Or just yourself, that’s fine too. Sometimes, a little peace and quiet is all you need, along with a good, strong drink.
Remember, the most important thing is to enjoy it. Don’t get all caught up in the fancy names and the fancy ingredients. Just relax, take a sip, and let the day’s worries melt away. That’s what a good drink is for, ain’t it? To help you forget about the troubles of the world, at least for a little while. And this here Don Draper Old Fashioned, it does the trick just fine.
