The 'Old Fashioned' is often considered the original cocktail. In 1806, a publication defined a 'cock-tail' as a stimulating liquor composed of spirits of any kind, sugar, water, and bitters. As bartenders began adding more complex liqueurs and juices to drinks in the late 19th century, purists began asking for their drinks made the 'old-fashioned way.' The recipe typically involves muddling a sugar cube with bitters, adding bourbon or rye whiskey, and garnishing with an orange twist and a cherry. The Pendennis Club in Louisville, Kentucky, claims the specific name was coined there in honor of a local distiller. Today, it remains the most-ordered classic cocktail in the world, appreciated for its balance of sweetness, bitterness, and spirit-forward profile.