The Old Fashioned without ice is a more contemplative Old Fashioned. If you do add ice, the ideal is a single large ice cube that just fits within and mostly fills the glass. A chunk of hand-carved ice is the epitome of elegance. And yet, any clean-tasting ice cubes will do (the colder the better).

What kind of ice goes in an Old Fashioned?

Large Cube Ice

The lowball drinks, like an Old Fashioned, Vieux Carré, Negroni, Boulevardier, etc., are great served with a large ice cube, as is any spirit on the rocks.

Should an Old Fashioned be cold?

This drink is traditionally put away slowly, so ice is always part of this drink. Use one or two large cubes, the largest you have available that are appropriate for your rocks glass; big is good—you need ice that will keep the drink cold for awhile without overly diluting it.