Behind the Bar

A proper Bourbon Old Fashioned doesn’t need to be complicated. Learn the classic ratio, how to control sweetness and dilution, and the bartender details that make this whiskey cocktail work.

What makes a bourbon work in an Old Fashioned? Proof, rye content, balance, oak, spice, sweetness and dilution all matter. Here’s a bartender-built guide to choosing bourbon for one of America’s most enduring cocktails.

The Old-Fashioned doesn’t chase trends—it survives them. Born from a simple mix of whiskey, sugar, bitters, and water in the early 1800s, it laid the foundation for modern cocktails. Hidden within its balance is an older influence: Rock & Rye, a whiskey sweetened with rock candy and citrus. Today, Up n Down Rock & Bourbon completes the legacy, offering a perfectly balanced Old-Fashioned in a single pour

unning a brewery, vineyard, or catering venue doesn’t mean sacrificing cocktail quality. Connecticut RTD producers are redefining smart bar programs with pre-balanced, bar-quality cocktails built for consistency, speed, and ease. No complex recipes. No deep retraining. Just great drinks, every pour. From indulgent classics to modern smashes, these ready-to-drink solutions help venues boost margins, reduce stress, and deliver a premium guest experience—no seasoned mixologist r