As a culinary expert, Chef Alton Brown has a sneaky way of testing others’ culinary know-how, including his go-to drink order to gauge a bartender’s expertise.

The Old Fashioned is a classic cocktail, and although it relies on simple ingredients, it requires a lot of know-how and technique to mix masterfully.

An Old Fashioned is made with whiskey, sugar, bitters, and a twist of citrus but relies on intricate skills such as muddling, understanding flavor nuances, and attention to detail.

Muddling the sugar and bitters must be gently and precisely done to release the flavors without overpowering the drink. This delicate process can make or break the cocktail.

Likewise, choosing the right whiskey can be difficult as the subtle notes of the whiskey can either complement the other ingredients or throw off the whole drink.

From the large ice cube to the glass section to the orange twist garnish, the last step is to put the finishing touches on the cocktail meticulously.

The Old Fashioned can be a litmus test for bartenders because the adjustments to elevate the cocktail from standard to sublime are subtle and only distinguishable to true experts.