Two key indicators make me, officially, unambiguously, and regrettably, an adult. It’s not my age, which, depending on the day, can be between 27 and 50 years, and it’s not the horizontal lines that have grown on my forehead due to the many times I’ve been around people, life, and so on. My face has been raised in a “Are you Fucking Kidding me?” expression. I am not even a homeowner! I have never saved more than $20! Even though I was young, I didn’t know where my life was going. How did something so distant become so indisputably factual?

My favorite drinks have changed to old-fashioned-style cocktails. When Lee Hazlewood sings, “Let those I don’t-Care years begin, I’m tired holding my stomach in,” it feels like that, you know. All it takes to make the reality sink in is a drink and a song.

Drinks made in the old-fashioned style are delicious. You can feel the old-fashioned way of drinking. Before I get too deep into the wood-paneled “Daddy’s had a long day” area, let me remind you that cocktails are more than a temporary, poorly-adhesive bandage applied to the day today. Cocktails are a bit of a ceremony. A ritual that elevates and dignifies. Even though old-fashioned cocktails are more severe and stiff than modern drinks, there’s still plenty of fun with the glorious trio of bitters, sugar, and booze.

The Fancy-Free is an excellent example of how a few tweaks to a traditional template can result in something unique. It is a classic, old-fashioned version that helps us transition from summer to fall. It replaces the sugar cubes with Maraschino liquor, adds Angostura with orange bitters, and increases the bourbon’s weight by one-quarter an ounce. It is a bit silky and brighter than the classic old-fashioned, but it tastes just as good.

My maraschino vodka was cut with simple syrup at about 3:0. Mix just 1/2 ounce of Maraschino with simple syrup. Add a few drops of simple syrup to the top. Simple syrup, like salt, can enhance the flavor of liqueurs and create a more balanced and harmonious mix. The final result doesn’t have to be sweeter; it just makes the drink smoother.

Start with the bitters. Pour all ingredients into a glass. Add ice to mix. Stir 5-6 times. Add the oil from the orange twist to the cocktail, and garnish with the olive.

*Instead of using Angostura in a heavy, dousing manner, I recommend using a small number of Orange bitters.