New Fashioned

What is New Fashioned?

The New Fashioned is a contemporary American whiskey cocktail that combines bourbon, amaretto, simple syrup, and Angostura bitters in a deceptively simple but somewhat polarizing recipe. The drink's structural identity is genuinely closer to a Godfather (the classic Scotch and amaretto cocktail created in 1972, allegedly named for Marlon Brando in the iconic film) made with bourbon instead of Scotch, rather than a true Old Fashioned variation as the name suggests. The classic Old Fashioned (with documented origins in the 1880s as one of the earliest defined cocktail formats) uses only spirit, sugar, bitters, and water with no liqueur additions, while the New Fashioned adds amaretto's significant almond-marzipan sweetness alongside the simple syrup, creating a fundamentally different drinking experience. The New Fashioned emerged through the broader contemporary cocktail movement that experimented with classic templates through the 2000s and 2010s, when bartenders began creating variations on iconic cocktails using popular liqueurs. The drink belongs to the same family of amaretto-and-whiskey cocktails as the Godfather, the Bourbon Godson, the French Connection, and the Amaretto Sour, all of which leverage amaretto's nutty character alongside spirit bases. The classic Old Fashioned itself remains the reference point for the broader spirit-forward whiskey cocktail tradition that has dominated American craft cocktail culture since the early 2000s.

Don't forget to see what other drinks you can make with the ingredients you already have in your bar.

Taste profile

The New Fashioned is sweet, nutty, and whiskey-forward with a flavor profile that genuinely shows both the appeal and the challenge of the recipe. Bourbon whiskey leads the palate with its characteristic caramel, vanilla, and oak notes, providing both the alcoholic backbone and the warm spirit foundation that establishes the cocktail in classic whiskey cocktail territory. The bourbon's natural sweetness from corn-heavy mash bill (typically 51% to 70% corn) provides considerable sweetness on its own before any other sweetening ingredients are added. Amaretto contributes its distinctive marzipan-almond character: concentrated, sweet, and aromatically complex with subtle apricot kernel undertones that integrate beautifully with bourbon's caramel notes. The amaretto provides both nutty complexity and significant additional sweetness. Simple syrup adds further sweetness on top of the bourbon's natural sweetness and the amaretto's concentrated sugar, which is why many readers and bartenders find the standard recipe genuinely too sweet for an enjoyable adult cocktail. Angostura bitters contribute aromatic depth that ties the elements together. The combined flavor drinks like a sweet bourbon cocktail with strong amaretto character: dessert-like, accessible, and immediately appealing to drinkers who prefer sweeter cocktails, but potentially overwhelming for drinkers seeking the spirit-forward elegance of a classic Old Fashioned.

Serving suggestions

Multiple reader comments have flagged the simple syrup addition as making the cocktail too sweet, which is genuinely valid feedback worth addressing. For a more balanced version, consider reducing or eliminating the simple syrup: the half-ounce of amaretto already provides considerable sweetness, and bourbon's natural caramel notes contribute additional sweetness. Try the recipe first with just bourbon, amaretto, and Angostura bitters (essentially making a Bourbon Godfather) and add a small dash of simple syrup only if you find additional sweetness is genuinely needed. Use a quality bourbon such as Buffalo Trace, Maker's Mark, Woodford Reserve, or Four Roses: with bourbon providing the dominant spirit signature, the bottle choice directly defines the finished cocktail. For amaretto, Disaronno Originale is the gold standard and produces the most authentic Italian almond character. Stir the ingredients in a mixing glass with plenty of ice for 20 to 25 seconds rather than shaking: this is a spirit-forward stirred cocktail where proper dilution and silky texture matter, and shaking would introduce air and cloud the elegant finished drink. Strain into a rocks glass over a single large clear ice cube for the most authentic presentation. Express an orange peel over the surface to release the essential oils, which add bright aromatic complexity that brightens the cocktail considerably. For a less sweet variation, replace the amaretto with 0.25 oz of Frangelico hazelnut liqueur for nutty complexity without as much sweetness.

Why You'll Love It?

Ingredients for New Fashioned

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Step‑by‑Step Instructions

1. In a mixing glass, combine Bourbon Whiskey, amaretto, simple syrup, and Angostura bitters.
2. Fill the mixing glass with ice and stir gently until well-chilled.
3. Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
4. Express the oils from an orange twist over the cocktail and add it to the glass for garnish.