# Perfect Old Fashioned Recipe

> Top bartender shares bourbon recipe for classic cocktail.
- Title: Perfect Old Fashioned Recipe · Maxim | Shortify
- Summary: Top bartender shares bourbon recipe for classic cocktail. Toby Maloney of Chicago’s The Violet Hour provides a simple bourbon recipe for the Old Fashioned…
- Keywords: old fashioned, bourbon, demerara syrup, bitters, the violet hour, toby maloney, classic cocktail sessions, elijah craig, southern smoke foundation, old fashioned week, Perfect, Old
- Source: Maxim — https://maxim.com/food-drink/how-to-make-the-perfect-old-fashioned-according-to-a-top-bartender
- Published: 2026-10-14T10:01:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: old fashioned, bourbon, demerara syrup, bitters, the violet hour, toby maloney, classic cocktail sessions, elijah craig, southern smoke foundation, old fashioned week
## Old Fashioned Week
Old Fashioned Week began in 2015 with 50 bars in France and launched by Elijah Craig in 2020 to support hospitality workers.
## Toby Maloney
Toby Maloney is an award-winning bartender and head mixologist at Chicago’s The Violet Hour.
## First Old Fashioned
Maloney’s first properly made Old Fashioned at Milk and Honey in New York City used Demerara syrup and no fruit.
## Simple Formula
The Old Fashioned follows a simple formula: spirit, sugar, water, and bitters with bourbon as the preferred base.
## Bourbon Choices
Old Grand Dad Bottled In Bond is Maloney’s favorite bourbon, but Ardbeg Scotch or Laphroaig can also be used.
## Recipe Steps
Stir whiskey, Demerara syrup, and bitters in a glass with ice for one or two rotations to balance flavors.
## Key takeaway

Toby Maloney of Chicago’s The Violet Hour provides a simple bourbon recipe for the Old Fashioned with Demerara syrup and bitters.