1 1/2 oz bourbon (preferably maker’s mark)

1/4 oz simple syrup

1/4 oz orange juice

3-4 dashes angostura bitters

combine all over ice.

shake.  strain into a chilled martini shell.

garnish with orange twist.

the first proper cocktail i ever invented (slightly predating the fourth of july wisconsin boat drink), after i moved to seattle and discovered there was more to mixology than opening beers and pouring shots (i thought a lemon drop was a shot of citron with a sugar-coated lemon slice back then).  it’s very similar to an old-fashioned, but has its own allure.  friends of mine have been ordering them for years, and tonight one of my oldest and best friends came into the bar to eat and drink and ordered one, and it made me happy, for all kinds of reason.