Yard House Old 43 Recipe
Make this Yard House Old 43 Recipe at home in about 5 minutes with bourbon, aromatic bitters, orange bitters, sugar, and fresh orange peel. It is a simple Old Fashioned-style cocktail with a smooth, bourbon-forward taste and a bright citrus finish that reminds me of the polished drinks you would order at Yard House. Finish it with a Luxardo cherry for extra richness, then serve it with steak, burgers, wings, or a cheese board for an easy restaurant-style pairing you can enjoy at home.
Ingredients
- 1 sugar cube
- About 1 teaspoon granulated sugar if you do not have a sugar cube
- Aromatic bitters enough to thoroughly soak the sugar cube
- Orange bitters to taste
- 1 large ice cube
- 2¼ ounces bourbon
- 1 orange for a 2-inch piece of orange peel
- 1 Luxardo cherry optional
- A small amount of Luxardo cherry syrup optional
Instructions
- Step 1 - Prepare the Orange Peel: Use a sharp knife to cut a piece of orange peel about 2 inches long. Make sure the piece is large enough to hold comfortably and squeeze over the cocktail. You can cut a few pieces in case one does not release enough orange oil. Set the peel aside for finishing the drink.
- Step 2 - Add the Sugar and Bitters: Place 1 sugar cube in an Old Fashioned glass. If you do not have a sugar cube, use about 1 teaspoon of regular granulated sugar instead. Thoroughly soak the sugar with aromatic bitters. Add a little orange bitters as well if you want a deeper orange flavor. The combination of bitters can be adjusted to your taste.
- Step 3 - Muddle the Sugar: Use a muddler to crush the sugar cube and work the bitters into it. Continue muddling until the sugar is broken down and the bitters are well mixed through it.
- Step 4 - Add the Ice: Place 1 large ice cube or large piece of ice into the glass. A large cube helps chill the cocktail while melting more slowly and keeping the drink from becoming watered down too quickly.
- Step 5 - Pour in the Bourbon: Pour 2¼ ounces of bourbon over the ice and muddled sugar mixture. This amount is just under ¼ cup and gives the cocktail its classic bourbon-forward flavor.
- Step 6 - Stir the Cocktail: Stir the drink well until the ingredients are fully combined and the bourbon is properly chilled. The sugar, bitters, and bourbon should be evenly mixed throughout the glass.
- Step 7 - Warm and Flame the Orange Peel: Hold the orange peel between your middle finger and thumb and warm it first to help release its natural oils. Hold the peel at about a 45-degree angle over the glass, then carefully squeeze the peel while passing it near a flame to ignite the orange oils. This step is optional and can be skipped if you do not want to flame the peel.
- Step 8 - Rub the Rim and Add the Orange Peel: Rub the orange peel around the rim of the glass to add more citrus aroma. Drop the peel into the cocktail, or wrap it around the edge of the glass before adding it.
- Step 9 - Add the Luxardo Cherry: Add 1 Luxardo cherry for a little extra sweetness and a rich finishing touch. Allow a small amount of the cherry syrup to go into the drink if desired. The cherry is optional, but it adds a slightly sweeter finish without making the cocktail overly sweet.
- Step 10 - Give It a Final Stir: Stir the cocktail one final time to lightly mix in the cherry syrup. Serve immediately while the drink is cold and the orange aroma is fresh.