Bye-bye 2012!

When I was younger, I would cry every single new year's eve. It was a bit of a joke in my family. They would pass along the flutes of sparkling cider, and tease me as the ball dropped and instead of clapping and celebrating, I would start crying. It was something about not being able to hold on to every good thing of the year, and a bit of uncertainty to the upcoming new year. This holiday season was the first time in a few years that everyone was able to gather in one location. On the last night that everyone was together before dispersing, we made some fresh and tasty rye based Old Fashioneds.

I hope you have had a thrilling year and that you are looking forward to the next one. I'm ready to say bye-bye 2012.

Old Fashioned, plain and simple
Yield: 1 drink

Ingredients:
1 orange slice, cut in half and about 1/4" wide.
1 maraschino cherry
2-3 dashes Angostura bitters
1 sugar cube
2 oz rye whiskey (such as Bulleit Rye Whiskey)
Ice cubes

Directions:
1. In an old fashioned glass, muddle together the orange slice, cherry, and the sugar cubes. Muddle together until everything is mashed together well. You can muddle them together with the back of a spoon.
2. Fill each glass with a few ice cubes, and top with rye whiskey and the bitters. Stir together. Let stand 1 minute, and serve. Garnish with the other half of the orange slice.