Enjoyed: Thursday, December 4, 2025

Listed on the menu: Yes, as “Audubon Old Fashioned”

Ingredients: Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Angostura Bitters, Luxardo Cherry, Orange, Simple Syrup

The occasion: Husband and I have been treating ourselves to pre-Christmas get-away weekends since 2015. We find that such adventures help put us in the holiday mood. Staying at the Homestead in December has been a dream of mine for years, and indeed, the resort met all my expectations. The holiday decorations were extraordinarily pretty, the historic hot-springs baths were relaxing, the food was yummy, and the customer service was top-notch. To top it off, a few inches of snow fell overnight on our final night, creating a true Winter Wonderland of mountain scenery.

My rating: **** out of 5. The staff member who took our drink order told me that the Old Fashioned is one of his favorite drinks to mix, and that he would do a wonderful job for me. He did. The drink was exactly what I wanted, since the ingredients were indeed classic. (I am finding that I am awarding 5 stars to more “creative” Old Fashioneds than this one was.)

Final thoughts: The American Audubon Dining Room was exquisite–colonial, yes, but mostly white with gorgeous chandeliers. A grand piano stood in the center, and the pianist played a soft mixture of holiday tunes. The dress code is no longer super-formal, yet we did put on some fancier clothes, and let the atmosphere transport us back in time a bit. What a lovely evening!