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By Shawn Williams
5 from 1 vote
Jan 06, 2019, Updated Jul 13, 2023
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If you’re a fan of the Sazerac or the Old Fashioned co*cktail, the Improved Whiskey co*cktail just may be your new favorite drink. The improved whiskey co*cktail is one of my favorite classic co*cktails. It combines a lot of my favorite elements from two very important classic co*cktails, the Old Fashioned and the Sazerac.
The Improved Whiskey co*cktail can be made with either bourbon or rye as the base spirit, depending on your personal preference. Combined with maraschino liqueur, absinthe, simple sugar, Angostura bitters, Peychaud’s bitters, and a lemon peel, it’s like an Old Fashioned on steroids.
The Improved Whiskey co*cktail is a more dynamic Old Fashioned with notes of anise, lemon citrus, and maraschino. If you’re looking to explore some of my other favorite classic whiskey co*cktails, try my Whiskey Sour, Brooklyn co*cktail, Sidecar co*cktail, and my best Manhattan recipe.
Table of Contents
- Ingredients
- Maraschino Liqueur
- How to Make an Improved Whiskey co*cktail
- Expert Tips
- Best Bourbon for Whiskey co*cktails
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Whiskey co*cktails
- Improved Whiskey co*cktail Recipe
Ingredients
- Rye or bourbon: this is a matter of personal preference. I prefer bourbon but sometimes I enjoy American rye.
- Maraschino liqueur: I prefer Luxardo brand. It’s very easy to find in most liquor stores.
- Simple syrup: use a 50-50 mix of sugar and water. You can purchase or make your own by melting sugar in hot water (1 cup sugar and 1 cup water).
- Absinthe: this is an optional ingredient as it adds very subtle anise aromatics. It’s also used in the Corpse Reviver 2 in a very similar fashion.
- Peychaud’s bitters: Peychaud’s bitters have a unique flavor profile that includes a combination of anise, cherry, and floral notes, with a slightly sweet and herbal character. Its most iconic usage is in the Sazerac co*cktail.
- Angostura bitters: Angostura bitters are readily available and a classic option for almost any whiskey co*cktail.
- Lemon peel for garnish: adds aromatic lemon notes and subtle flavor. It’s simply not the same drink without it!
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities below.
Maraschino Liqueur
Maraschino liqueur is a unique cherry-flavored spirit made from sour Marasca cherries. It’s clear, slightly sweet, and found in many classic and Prohibition-Era co*cktails. Luxardo is the most well-known cherry liqueur brand and my recommendation should you decide to embark on this maraschino co*cktail journey.
I think most people have heard of the classicAviationco*cktail or Last Word, but here are some other maraschino liqueur co*cktails that may pique your interest as well. I highly recommend you grab a bottle and put it to good use. While it’s often used sparingly in drinks, I wouldn’t stock a home bar without it.
How to Make an Improved Whiskey co*cktail
Step 1.
Add the absinthe to a chilled double old-fashioned glass and twirl to coat the inside of the glass. Discard the excess.
quick tip
Store some absinthe in a small 1-2 ounce co*cktail spray bottle for quick and easy absinthe coating. This is my favorite hack and reduces waste.
Step 2.
In a Boston shaker or mixing glass, combine whiskey, maraschino, both bitters, and sugar. Fill the mixing glass halfway with ice, then stir vigorously for 15 seconds.
Step 3.
Strain into a chilled old-fashioned glass over a giant ice cube or fresh ice.
Step 4.
Squeeze lemon peel over the glass to extract oils, wipe the rim of the glass with the peel, and add to the glass or discard.
quick tip
Point the outer peel (non-pith side) outward facing the drink and gently squeeze the edges so the oils spray out over the top of the drink. If done properly, you can see the oils floating on the surface of your drink. This works best with two hands.
Expert Tips
- Chill your glasses in the freezer. A cold glass prevents warming and keeps your drink colder for longer.
- Most whiskey co*cktails are stirred rather than shaken to limit the amount of dilution and oxygen infused into the drink.
- A giant ice cube is designed to melt slower due to its size, causing less dilution. If you’re serious about making co*cktails, invest in a clear ice maker or make your own clear ice. Clear ice cubes taste better and melt even slower.
Best Bourbon for Whiskey co*cktails
I love bourbon because there are so many great options out there at the $25-$35 price point. My evergrowing list of favorite budget-friendly bourbons are:
- Buffalo Trace
- Larceny
- Elijah Craig
- Michter’s
- Henry McKenna Single Barrel
- Four Roses Single Barrel
- Woodford Reserve
- Eagle Rare
- Knob Creek
- Maker’s Mark
Frequently Asked Questions
What is simple syrup?
Simple syrup, also called simple sugar, is a liquid sweetener made with equal parts sugar and water.
Can I use any kind of bitters?
Look for Angostura aromatic bitters or Scrappy’s aromatic bitters. This recipe also calls for Peychaud bitters, which have very distinct floral and anise flavors.
What is considered a u0022dashu0022 of bitters?
A dash of bitters is a firm downward shake of the bottle so a small amount squirts out. You can alternatively tap the bottom of the bottle with the palm of your hand while holding it upside down, similar to hitting a glass ketchup bottle.
More Whiskey co*cktails
Old Fashioned co*cktail Recipe
Sazerac co*cktail Recipe
Brooklyn co*cktail Recipe
Manhattan co*cktail Recipe
Enjoy this recipe? If you made this co*cktail, please leave a ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ star rating in the recipe card below & areview in the comments!
5 from 1 vote
Improved Whiskey co*cktail Recipe
By: Shawn Williams
Servings: 1 co*cktail
Prep: 5 minutes mins
Total: 5 minutes mins
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The improved whiskey co*cktail is a mix between a Sazerac and the Old Fashioned. Sound good? This just may be your new favorite whiksey co*cktail.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces rye or bourbon
- 1/4 ounce maraschino liqueur
- 1/4 ounce simple syrup
- 1 teaspoon absinthe
- 2 dashes Peychaud’s bitters
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- lemon peel for garnish
Instructions
Add the absinthe to a chilled double old-fashioned glass and twirl to coat the inside of the glass. Discard the excess.
In a Boston shaker or mixing glass, combine whiskey, maraschino, bitters, and sugar. Fill the mixing glass halfway with ice, then stir vigorously for 15 seconds.
Strain into the old-fashioned glass over a giant ice cube.
Squeeze lemon peel over the glass to extract oils, wipe the rim of the glass with the peel, and add to the glass or discard.
Notes
Chill your glasses in the freezer. A cold glass prevents warming and keeps your drink colder for longer.
Most whiskey co*cktails are stirred rather than shaken to limit the amount of dilution and oxygen infused into the drink.
A giant ice cube is designed to melt slower due to its size, causing less dilution. If you’re serious about making co*cktails, invest in a clear ice maker or make your own clear ice. Clear ice cubes taste better and melt even slower.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 197kcalCarbohydrates: 13.1gProtein: 0.2gFat: 1.4gSaturated Fat: 0.9gSodium: 107mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 6.2g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Course: co*cktail
Cuisine: American
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