This article will show you how to make the perfect Port Old-Fashioned cocktail.
The Port Old-Fashioned is a tasty twist on the classic Old-Fashioned cocktail.
It is the perfect cocktail for lovers of Port and whiskey.
It’s sophisticated, but also quick and easy to make!
Port Old-Fashioned is a great pre-dinner drink and perfect for during the holidays.
Contents
What is Port Old-Fashioned?
Port Old-Fashioned is a twist on a classic Old-Fashioned that is made with Port wine instead of bitters.
A traditional old-fashioned is made by muddling sugar with bitters and water, and then adding whiskey (usually rye or bourbon), and garnishing with an orange slice or zest.
It is traditionally served with ice in a rocks glass (sometimes called an old-fashioned glass).
Port Old-Fashioned ingredients
It requires just four ingredients, plus orange peel for garnish.
You will need the following ingredients:
Tawny Port
This recipe uses Tawny Port. Try to use a good quality Tawny, such as a 10-year-old Tawny.
Port is a fortified wine from Portugal made from a blend of black grapes varieties.
Tawny Port is sweet, full-bodied and ranges from tawny (more brown than red) to brown (no redness) in color.
The longer Tawny Port is oxidatively aged (in contact with oxygen), the browner the color will be.
As Tawny Ports age the fruit flavors fade and transform into dried fruit flavors, such as raisins and prunes.
Tawny Ports also have notes of walnut, chocolate, coffee and caramel.
There are different styles of Tawny Port and you can read more about Tawny Port here.
Bourbon/whiskey
Traditional old-fashioned cocktails use bourbon or rye whiskey to make an old-fashioned.
Use a good quality bourbon if you can afford it. Cheap bourbon can taste harsh and will be noticeable in your cocktail.
If you don’t have whiskey, you can substitute the whiskey with rum for this recipe.
Sugar syrup
Old Fashioned cocktails are traditionally made with a sugar cube or simple syrup.
If you don’t have either, you can also use maple syrup or honey.
Orange peel
Orange peel adds nice citrus aromas and flavors to this drink, so try not to skip this ingredient.
You can use lemon peel if you don’t have orange.
How to Make a Port Old-Fashioned
Port Old-Fashioned cocktails are really easy to make.
Add the Port, bourbon and sugar syrup to a cocktail shaker and shake. Strain into a low-ball glass.
Add the soda and stir gently.
Squeeze a twist of orange peel over the drink to release the oils, and then put the peel in the drink.
If you don’t have a cocktail shaker, simply add the ingredients (except the soda water) to a glass and stir. Then add ice, a splash of soda and garnish.
Port Old-Fashioned substitutes
If you don’t have whiskey, you can substitute the whiskey with rum for this recipe.
Looking for more Port cocktails?
Here are some other classics:
Port Old-Fashioned Cocktail Recipe
Equipment
- cocktail shaker
- Strainer
Ingredients
- 1 oz Tawny Port 28 ml
- 1 oz Bourbon or rum 28 ml
- 2 tsp sugar syrup
- Splash of soda water
- orange zest
Instructions
- Add the Port, Bourbon and sugar syrup to a shaker and shake.
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Strain the liquid from the shaker into the glass.
- Add the soda water and stir.
- Garnish with orange zest.
Read with confidence: I am a certified wine expert (WSET L3).
