The Old Fashioned, as seen on Mad Men

Sunday's episode of Mad Men had a scene in which the main character, Don Draper, makes an Old Fashioned. The recipe I have to make an Old Fashioned uses water, sugar, bitters, and whiskey. You're supposed to muddle the bitters, water, and sugar in a glass until the sugar has dissolved. Then you add a large ice cube followed by whiskey. Stir and serve with a straw.

Don Draper made his Old Fashioned a little differently, but I am sure it was the way they were made in the late 50's early 60's. He tossed a sugar cube in the glass, added a dash or two (or three - the bf thought Draper added a lot of bitters). In a separate mixing glass Draper added lots of ice, followed by rye whiskey (it looked he used Old Overholt), and soda. He then did a quick muddle of the sugar and bitters in the glass. This was followed by a quick stir of the whiskey, ice, and soda* in the mixing glass. He then poured the whiskey mix into the glass.

One thing that caught my eye was the muddling. I doubt the sugar was dissolved when he finished. I'm not sure if his quick muddle followed the method use in the 60's, or if it was a case of TV expediency. It wouldn't be good TV to have him muddling for several minutes, waiting for the sugar to dissolve. Or, perhaps the sugar was dissolved because it sat in bitters while he was pouring the whiskey and soda in the mixing glass. Or maybe Draper was just impatient to get his drink... Or maybe I am just an inefficient muddler ;)

I've made Old Fashioneds at home using the first method, and they taste great. They have a nice smooth, rich taste with just enough sweetness to make me happy. I'm not a fan of soda, but now I'm tempted buy a small bottle and try an old fashioned Don Draper's way.

*I suppose it could have been tonic, but I have a feeling it's soda. I vaguely remember an Old Fashioned recipe that used soda water.