A Brown Butter Wash Is The Secret To Spruce Up An Old Fashioned
The Old Fashioned is a classic cocktail that has been around for over a century. It's a simple yet sophisticated drink that has stood the test of time, and it's not hard to see why. The combination of bourbon or rye whiskey, sugar, bitters, and an orange peel is a winning formula that can be enjoyed any time of the year.
However, if you want to take your Old Fashioned to the next level, one secret technique — the fat wash — can help you do just that. A brown butter wash is a fat wash that uses melted butter to give the whiskey a rich, nutty flavor. Here's how to make brown butter-washed bourbon or whiskey at home:
Ingredients:
- 1 stick unsalted butter
- 16 ounces of Bourbon or rye whiskey
- Instructions:
Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the butter turns a rich brown color and has a nutty aroma. Be careful not to burn the butter.Remove the butter from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes.
Pour the whiskey and the butter into a sealable container and whisk together. Let sit at room temperature for a couple of hours, then freeze for 24 hours. When you remove the whiskey-butter mixture from the freezer, the fat will have solidified separate from the liquid. Use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to strain the solid pieces of fat from the whiskey. You may have to strain the liquid multiple times to remove all the fat. Catch your strained whiskey in a clean, sealable container.
How to make a brown butter-washed whiskey old fashioned
To make an old-fashioned, pour two ounces of brown butter-washed whiskey into a rocks glass with ice. Stir to combine with a quarter ounce of simple syrup and a dash of orange bitters. Garnish with an orange peel and serve.
The result is a smooth and complex cocktail with a unique nutty flavor that complements the whiskey perfectly. The brown butter also adds a silky texture to the drink, making it even more enjoyable to sip on.
Your brown butter-washed whiskey or bourbon can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator until you're ready to use it. While the Old Fashioned is a classic cocktail, there are endless variations and ways to use a brown butter-washed whiskey. So, next time you're in the mood for an Old Fashioned, try this recipe and experience the magic of a brown butter wash for yourself.