Tip Top Old Fashioned

Tip Top's Old Fashioned is a pre-mixed canned version of the classic whiskey cocktail, made by Tip Top in Georgia. The style is built on whiskey, bitters and a touch of sugar, so expect a spirit-forward drink: caramel and vanilla sweetness from the whiskey and sugar, a dry bitter-spice edge from the bitters, and little of the juice or soda sweetness found in most canned drinks. Citrus oils, usually from an orange peel, are standard in this style, but the listing doesn't say whether this one includes them. Tip Top lists the ABV as 37, which would put it in spirit territory rather than the 5 to 12 percent range of typical canned drinks. Check the can label for the exact strength before pouring and serve accordingly. Everything is already blended, so there's no muddling, stirring or garnish prep. Chill the can thoroughly in the refrigerator or on ice before opening. Cold matters more here than in a lighter canned drink, because a warm or room-temperature Old Fashioned tastes sweeter and harsher. For a more traditional presentation, pour it over a large ice cube in a rocks glass. The slower dilution keeps the whiskey character from thinning out. A strip of orange peel expressed over the glass is an easy optional addition, though the can works without it. Drinking straight from the can is fine for a camping trip or a tailgate, when carrying glassware isn't practical. Because it's built on whiskey, it suits the foods that whiskey cocktails usually go with: smoked or grilled meats, barbecue ribs, burgers, aged cheddar, salted nuts and charcuterie. A rich dessert such as pecan pie or dark chocolate is another good match for the bitter-sweet balance. It also fits fall cookouts, fire pits, game days and card nights, where a single can gives you a finished drink without setting up a bar.