What is the name of the cocktail made with whiskey, sugar and aromatic bitters?

The cocktail made with whiskey, sugar and aromatic bitters is the Old Fashioned. Its classic formula combines a spirit with sugar, bitters and a small amount of water or ice, traditionally garnished with an orange twist or sometimes an orange slice.

The drink belongs to the family of early spirit-and-sugar cocktails. During the nineteenth century, the word “cocktail” referred to a mixture of spirits, sugar, water and bitters. As bartenders added liqueurs and other ingredients, some customers began ordering drinks made in the old-fashioned way, which helped give this cocktail its name.

Whiskey versions commonly use bourbon or rye whiskey. The choice changes the balance: bourbon tends to bring sweeter corn and vanilla notes, while rye often contributes a spicier character.

The Old Fashioned is often confused with the Manhattan, but a Manhattan normally includes sweet vermouth, while the Old Fashioned does not. The Sazerac also uses whiskey and sugar, but its defining preparation includes an absinthe rinse.