Fancy Free recipe
A mid-century Old Fashioned variation that enriches bourbon with maraschino liqueur and aromatic bitters.
Method: Stir ·
Glass: Rocks glass ·
Time: 3 min ·
Difficulty: Beginner ·
Family: The Old Fashioned Family
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon (high-proof or bonded preferred)
- 0.5 oz maraschino liqueur (Luxardo preferred)
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 2 dashes orange bitters
How to make a Fancy Free
- Add bourbon, maraschino liqueur, Angostura bitters, and orange bitters to a mixing glass filled with ice.
- Stir the mixture thoroughly for thirty seconds until well chilled and properly diluted.
- Place a large clear ice cube into a chilled rocks glass.
- Strain the chilled cocktail over the fresh ice.
- Express the essential oils from an orange peel over the drink and drop the twist into the glass.
Garnish
Orange twist
Pro tip
Use a bonded or barrel-proof bourbon to stand up to the rich sweetness of the maraschino liqueur.
History of the Fancy Free
First published in Crosby Gaige's 1941 Cocktail Guide and Ladies' Companion, the Fancy Free replaces traditional simple syrup with maraschino liqueur. The drink later experienced a revival in modern craft cocktail bars as bartenders explored classic whiskey variations.
Flavour profile
rich, cherry, spiced, warming
Variations
- Rye Fancy Free — Substitute rye whiskey for bourbon to add spicy pepper notes.
- Japanese Fancy Free — Substitute Japanese whisky and add a barspoon of umeshu.
- Smoked Fancy Free — Infuse the mixing glass with wood smoke before straining the drink.
Practise making the Fancy Free in the free Virtual Bar game.