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Pitcher of Old-Fashioned Old Fashioneds

This is a family recipe from my dear friend Sarah, who has given me this recipe half a dozen times through the years ... and I keep losing it. Time to put it online. What's not to love about a cocktail recipe with measurements like "quart" and "tumbler-full"?


Ingredients:

1 cup sugar

1 4-oz. bottle of bitters

Brandy, bourbon or whiskey

"White pop" (Isn't that a charming, Midwestern ingredient? Use Sprite, 7-UP or even orange-flavored carbonated water)

Water

Orange slices and maraschino cherries, for garnish

Ice


Preparation:

Slice your oranges. Dig out your best tumbler-sized glasses.


Cook & Serve:

Put the sugar and bitters in a pitcher. Fill with 1 quart of water (4 cups). Stir to mix well. In a tumbler, pour one part bitters mix and two parts brown booze. Fill with ice and top off with "white pop" until "it's the color of nice iced tea," says my friend Sarah's Uncle Ronnie. Garnish with orange slice and cherry.


A Little Backstory:

Look, I adore a posh, artisan cocktail. But I also love a great party-pitcher of drinks. And this is a fabulous mass-cocktail mix for movie night or fajita madness with friends. Sarah's family said it's perfect for sipping while you play cards all day. And that's the best endorsement I can think of.


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