🥃 Upgrade Your Cocktail Game With This One Simple Trick

The Secret Weapon Behind a Perfect Old Fashioned

Bourbon gets all the love, but let’s be honest—a great mixer can make or break your cocktail. And when it comes to the Old Fashioned, homemade simple syrup is the game-changer most people overlook.

Forget those overly sweet, bottled syrups. Making your own is easy, costs next to nothing, and lets you control the flavor. Here’s how to do it—and a few ways to level it up.

The Weekly Pour: The Secret to Next-Level Cocktails? Homemade Simple Syrup

A great bourbon deserves a great supporting cast. Just like you wouldn’t use bottom-shelf whiskey in your Old Fashioned (I hope), you shouldn’t settle for store-bought simple syrup.

Here’s how to make the foundation of a perfect cocktail in just minutes.

Classic Simple Syrup

🥃 1 cup sugar
💧 1 cup water

1️⃣ Heat the water in a small saucepan over medium heat (don’t let it boil).
2️⃣ Stir in the sugar until fully dissolved.
3️⃣ Let it cool, then pour into a glass bottle for storage.

👉 Pro Tip: Strain your syrup through a Norpro Stainless Steel Strainer to remove any undissolved particles for a smooth mix.

Leveling It Up: Flavored Syrups

Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe, why not get creative? Here are three easy ways to upgrade your Old Fashioned:

🔥 Brown Sugar Syrup – Swap white sugar for brown sugar for a richer, deeper sweetness.
🌿 Vanilla Bean Syrup – Add a split vanilla bean for smooth, creamy complexity.
🍊 Citrus Syrup – Muddle orange or lemon zest in the syrup while cooling for extra brightness.

👉 Want to store your syrup properly? Grab a set of Swing-Top Glass Bottles to keep your syrup fresh for weeks.

The Pour of the Week: The Perfect Old Fashioned

Now that you’ve got your handcrafted simple syrup, it’s time to make the gold standard of bourbon cocktails:

Classic Old Fashioned

🥃 2 oz bourbon
🍊 2 dashes Angostura bitters
🧉 ½ oz homemade simple syrup
🧊 Large ice cube
🍒 Orange peel & cherry for garnish

1️⃣ Add bourbon, simple syrup, and bitters to a rocks glass.
2️⃣ Stir well and add a large ice cube.
3️⃣ Express the orange peel over the drink and drop it in. Garnish with a cherry.

This timeless cocktail is all about balance—rich bourbon, subtle sweetness, and a hint of citrus. And with your homemade syrup, it’s better than ever.

📢 On the Horizon: The Bourbon Matchmaker Tool

I’ve been working on something special—a Bourbon Matchmaker Tool that helps you find the perfect pour based on your flavor preferences. Love sweet, wheated bourbons? Prefer high-rye spice bombs? I got you covered. Stay tuned—it’s almost ready!

📚 FINALLY—DID YOU GRAB A COPY OF MY NEW BOOK?

WHISKEY, HISTORY & 5 DAMN GOOD STORIES TO SHARE OVER YOUR NEXT POUR

This isn’t just another whiskey book—it’s your passport to the greatest stories in bourbon history. From the Whiskey Rebellion to the legend of the Angel’s Share, to the outlaws who made whiskey an American icon, these are the stories every bourbon lover needs in their back pocket.

📅 Just released last weekend, and it’s already sparking great conversations among whiskey lovers. Don’t be the last one to grab a copy!

🥃 Know your whiskey. Impress your friends. Share a great story over a pour.

📖 Available now on Amazon! 👉 Get Your Copy Here

🥃 "Good whiskey, good stories, and good friends—what else do you need?"

Until next time,
Ethan “Neat” Whitmore

P.S. Got a bourbon you think I need to try? Hit reply and let me know—I’m always on the hunt for the next great pour! 🚀