Properly made, the Old Fashioned is strong but not too strong, sweet but not too sweet, and, most importantly, it’s dead-simple and absolutely delicious. The Franklin Hotel Bar Old Fashioned is just that.

What It Says About You

You’re a traveler, equally at home climbing Mount Kilimanjaro or marlin fishing the flats. So, you’re basically Ernest Hemingway. Alternatively, the simple yet sophisticated Old Fashioned is the ultimate socialite accessory. Either way, polish off more than a few of these on any given night and you may be down the same dark road as aforementioned Hemingway and his contemporary, Zelda Fitzgerald.

Franklin Hotel Bar Old Fashioned

We start by muddling quality sugar cubes with 2-3 dashes of Angostura bitters, Amarena cherry and orange. We then rotate the glass so the bitters and sugar line the walls of the glass. We add large ice cubes, upon which we pour 2oz of Maker’s Mark bourbon, stir, and garnish with a fresh orange slice. Simple, delicate, effective.

History of the Old Fashioned

The first use of the name “Old Fashioned” for a Bourbon whiskey cocktail was said to have been at the Pendennis Club, a gentlemen’s club founded in 1881 in Louisville, Kentucky. The recipe was said to have been invented by a bartender at that club in honor of Colonel James E. Pepper, a prominent bourbon distiller, who brought it to the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel bar in New York City.

With its conception rooted in the city’s history, in 2015 the city of Louisville named the Old Fashioned as its official cocktail. Each year, during the first two weeks of June, Louisville celebrates “Old Fashioned Fortnight” which encompasses bourbon events, cocktail specials and National Bourbon Day which is always celebrated on June 14.

Join Us at Franklin Hotel Bar

We are an upscale, throwback hotel bar with handcrafted vocktails, small plates, craft beer and fine wine, nestled away in the storied lower level of the Franklin Hotel. The plush bar features classic cocktails with the freshest ingredients, craft beers, fine wines and delicious small plate food offerings. It’s a perfect spot for an intimate evening out, happy hour with colleagues or before-and-after a show at the Kent Stage.

Franklin Hotel Bar sets aside a limited number of tables for reservations, however we also hold back space for walk-ins. Make a reservation!

Bourbons & Rye Whiskey at Franklin Hotel Bar

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We craft our Old-Fashioned with Maker’s Mark but we can make yours with any of the following bourbons or ryes for an additional cost.