Despite the relative simplicity of the ingredients, the Old Fashioned is a deceptively difficult drink to make. The first tip-off was the fact that I found three different recipes for it in the same book—let alone the variations I’ve found in other locations.

My first attempt resulted in a totally underwhelming drink, but I fiddled with the different recipes until I found one that made me stop and say “Yes, this is what it should taste like.” It only took a few glasses of wasted bourbon until it worked out, so don’t give up on this one after the first try!

3 oz bourbon
3 dashes bitters
sugar cube

Muddle bitters, sugar cube and dash of bourbon in an old fashioned glass. Add two ice cubes and some of the bourbon and stir. Squeeze a small dash of orange juice from an orange wedge into the glass, add more ice and bourbon, and stir. Add more ice and the remaining bourbon and stir. Rub the rim of the glass with orange zest, drop zest in the glass, and serve.

I’ve made this with and without the dash of orange juice; I tend to prefer it without the orange juice itself, as rubbing the zest along the rim gives this drink a lovely dash of citrus, so the juice isn’t really necessary. The first recipe I tried recommended using a maraschino cherry for garnish (hence the photo), which I think contributed to the complete ruin of my first attempt. Stick with the orange and skip the cherry, as it ruins the balance of flavors.