DIY Old Fashioneds on the Bar Cart - Milk Punch Media (2024)

Refined simplicity never goes out of style.

When entertaining a handful of guests who know their spirits, serve whiskey on wheels! If you want to chic up the co*cktail hour in an instant (prestigious guests? bourbon collector?), load up the bar cart with the essentials for making old fashioneds.

Allow guests to make their own or you can easily make at least four drinks at a time. You can make a batch of Old Fashioneds, but seeing them being crafted by hand creates an experience.

Don’t be intimidated by its stature in the co*cktail canon; we’ve got you covered.

Follow this checklist and take a few tips and you’re all set to serve and sip on Old Fashioneds like a pro.

To set up a DIY Old Fashioned Bar cart, you’ll need:

3 bottles of whiskey
Rye is traditional but most prefer bourbon. Choose two bourbons you know the crowd drinks, then add a rye, such as Rittenhouse Rye or Sazerac for OF street cred.

Rocks glassessee tips

Aromatic bitters and orange bitters
A bottle of Angostura bitters is a must! We like orange bitters also.

Jiggers and a barspoon

Large ice cubes see tips

Simple syrup (1:1)

Oranges

Vegetable peeler

co*cktail napkins

OF Bar Cart Tips

Choose a practical bar cart

Think twice before rolling out the brass vintage ’60s bar cart unless it’s a small, sophisticated crowd. Find a lightweight bar cart you can roll and don’t mind getting sticky or scratched.

Round up the rocks glasses

Also known as old fashioned glasses for a reason (the smaller 6 to 8 ounces) and there’s the double old fashioned that’s a little larger. Grab the best ones you have—vintage Culvers, crystal wedding gifts, whatever. The proper glass is part of the OF experience.

Large ice cubes are essential

Small ice cubes means the drinks will dilute too fast. Make large ice cubes (spherical or square) the night before to drop in each drink.

Add something old

The old fashioned conjures up images of rich dark leather and handsome, masculine accessories. An antique biscuit box makes a fabulous container for flowers and an old whiskey barrel is a fun prop.

Pair a party pick-up

Don’t forget to include something salty for nibbling! Pairing picks: a bowl of Southern-style spiced pecans or bacon-wrapped pretzels are ideal for old fashioneds.