About This Cocktail
Cotton Club Cocktails Old Fashioned Twin Pack brings one of the world's most celebrated whiskey cocktails into an easy ready-to-serve format. Made in Ireland and presented as two individual 100ml servings, it provides the rich, spirit-forward experience associated with an Old Fashioned without requiring bottles of whiskey, bitters and other cocktail ingredients at home.
At 24% ABV, this is a notably robust premixed cocktail. The higher strength suits the Old Fashioned particularly well because the original is fundamentally a spirit-led drink rather than a long cocktail diluted with juice, tonic or soda.
The appeal of a good Old Fashioned lies in balance. Whiskey provides the foundation, sweetness rounds its sharper edges, bitters introduce aromatic complexity and orange brings freshness. No individual element should completely disguise the others.
Cotton Club's version makes that style particularly convenient. Each 10cl portion is already mixed and measured, leaving very little preparation to do at home. Chill, pour over ice and garnish before serving.
The twin-pack format also means you do not need to open both cocktails at once. Enjoy them together as two serves or keep the second individually sealed for another occasion.
Tasting Notes
• Appearance: Rich amber in the glass, reflecting the deep, spirit-forward character expected from an Old Fashioned.
• Aroma: Warming and aromatic, with whiskey-led notes complemented by orange citrus, gentle sweetness and spice.
• Flavour: Rich whiskey character sits at the centre, balanced by sweetness, aromatic bitters and orange. Expect warming spice and caramel-like notes alongside the cocktail's characteristic bittersweet edge.
• Mouthfeel: Smooth, warming and full-bodied, with the 24% ABV providing considerably more structure than a lighter ready-to-drink cocktail.
• Finish: Lingering and warming, with whiskey, bitters, spice and orange gradually fading from the palate.
What Is an Old Fashioned?
The Old Fashioned is one of the fundamental classics of cocktail making and a drink that places the base spirit firmly in the spotlight.
Its origins can be traced back to the earliest definition of a cocktail as a combination of spirit, sugar, water and bitters. As cocktail recipes became increasingly elaborate during the nineteenth century, drinkers who preferred the original style could request their whiskey cocktail made the “old-fashioned” way.
The name endured.
Today, the basic principle remains remarkably simple. A classic Old Fashioned is typically built around whiskey, sweetness and aromatic bitters, usually served over ice and finished with orange peel.
That simplicity is deceptive. Because there are relatively few ingredients, their proportions matter enormously. Too much sweetness can obscure the whiskey, while excessive bitters can overwhelm it. A well-balanced Old Fashioned retains the warming, oak-influenced character of the base spirit while using sweetness, bitterness and citrus to add complexity.
It is this spirit-forward profile that distinguishes an Old Fashioned from many modern ready-to-drink cocktails. At 24% ABV, Cotton Club's interpretation maintains that stronger sipping character.
How to Serve Cotton Club Old Fashioned
The simplest way to serve Cotton Club Old Fashioned is also the best.
Chill the cocktail thoroughly beforehand. Fill a rocks or Old Fashioned glass with one large cube of ice, or several substantial cubes, and pour one 10cl serving directly over the ice.
Finish with a wide strip of fresh orange peel. Before dropping the peel into the glass, gently twist or squeeze it over the surface of the drink. This releases aromatic citrus oils that complement the whiskey and bitters.
Allowing the cocktail to sit over ice for a few moments before drinking can also be worthwhile. Gradual dilution softens the 24% ABV and can reveal more of the whiskey, citrus, sweetness and spice as the drink develops.
If you prefer a stronger serve, it can simply be chilled and poured without ice.
The individual 100ml format makes preparation especially straightforward. There is no measuring, stirring glass or cocktail shaker required, making this a practical choice when you want a classic cocktail without the usual preparation.
Food Pairings
The rich, warming profile of an Old Fashioned makes it particularly well suited to strongly flavoured foods.
Mature cheese is an excellent starting point. Try it with mature Cheddar, aged Gouda or Parmesan, where the savoury intensity of the cheese can stand alongside the whiskey and bitters.
Cured and smoked meats also work particularly well. A charcuterie board featuring salami, prosciutto or smoked meats provides salty, savoury flavours that contrast with the cocktail's subtle sweetness.
For a more substantial pairing, consider steak, barbecue meats or a good burger. Rich, caramelised flavours from grilled meat complement the warming character of the cocktail, while orange and bitters can provide some contrast.
Dessert offers another direction. Dark chocolate is a particularly natural companion to whiskey cocktails, especially chocolate with a high cocoa content. Chocolate truffles, brownies or a dark chocolate tart can all work well.
Caramel, toffee and nut-based desserts are equally suitable. Their deeper sweetness can echo similar flavours commonly associated with whiskey without introducing excessive fruitiness.
An Old Fashioned is also an excellent after-dinner drink on its own. Served slowly over a large cube of ice, it can comfortably take the place of a neat whiskey as the final drink of the evening.
About Cotton Club Cocktails
Cotton Club Cocktails is an Irish producer specialising in convenient ready-to-serve cocktails. Its range takes recognisable cocktail styles and presents them in individually portioned 100ml formats, allowing customers to enjoy a properly measured cocktail without buying and preparing every component separately.
The range includes established classics such as the Old Fashioned and Negroni alongside other cocktail styles, providing options for drinkers who prefer everything from strong, spirit-led serves to brighter and fruitier combinations.
The individual format is particularly useful with cocktails such as the Old Fashioned. Making one traditionally requires keeping whiskey, bitters and the appropriate sweetening ingredients available and then balancing them correctly for each serve.
With Cotton Club, that preparation has already been completed. Each 10cl portion is designed as an individual cocktail, so there is no larger bottle that needs to be opened and used over several occasions.
For customers who enjoy cocktails occasionally rather than maintaining a fully stocked home bar, that makes the format especially practical.
Why Choose Cotton Club Old Fashioned?
Cotton Club Old Fashioned is designed for convenience, but its 24% ABV also gives it the strength expected from a genuinely spirit-forward cocktail.
It is an appealing option for established Old Fashioned drinkers who want an easy ready-made serve, as well as anyone interested in exploring classic whiskey cocktails without purchasing all the separate ingredients first.
The twin pack provides two individually portioned cocktails, making it suitable for sharing while also allowing each serving to remain sealed until needed.
Keep the pack chilled and you can have an Old Fashioned ready within moments: pour over ice, add orange peel and serve.
Whether you're planning an evening at home, looking for an easy after-dinner drink or simply want the convenience of a premixed classic cocktail, Cotton Club Cocktails Old Fashioned offers a straightforward way to enjoy one of the world's enduring whiskey serves.
Shop Cotton Club Cocktails Old Fashioned Twin Pack 2 x 10cl online with TheCru.ie for delivery across Ireland or collect from Carry Out Tyrrelstown in Dublin 15.