Old Fashioned vs. Whiskey Sour: Which One Should You Order?

The Old Fashioned is the grown-up move. The Whiskey Sour is the fun move. Both are bourbon, both are simple, and both get ruined by people who don't know when to stop.

Old Fashioned

2 oz bourbon (100 proof or higher). 1 sugar cube or 0.25 oz simple syrup. 2-3 dashes Angostura bitters. Orange peel. Muddle the sugar with bitters and a splash of water, add bourbon and ice, stir 30 seconds, strain over a big cube, express the orange peel over the top. No muddling the peel — just twist it.

Whiskey Sour

2 oz bourbon. 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice. 0.5 oz simple syrup. 1 egg white (optional, for the frothy top). Dry shake, then shake with ice, strain into a coupe. The egg white isn't mandatory but it makes it look like you know what you're doing.

Order the Old Fashioned when you want to taste the whiskey. Order the Sour when you want something bright and fun. Don't order either if the bar's using sour mix — walk out.