Sidle up to the bar at this top-floor East Quarter steakhouse between downtown and Deep Ellum where a legendary Lone Star beverage can be found in its Texas Old Fashioned. That’s right, Dr. Pepper syrup and its signature notes of clove, anise, cinnamon, and cherry bring a familiar flavor to the party without the sweetness one might expect when a sugary soft drink shows up to party with Elijah Craig. There is a distinct bourbon aroma from the spirit that enhances the spices from the syrup, while a dash of both orange and Angostura bitters completes the balancing act. It’s all served over a large cube and garnished with a twist of fresh orange. Pair it with A Burger Like I Had In Paris That One Time A While Ago for a decidedly adult soda-and-sandwich combo.

Transport your taste buds to a tropical locale without resorting to the usual umbrella-accented frozen concoction sure to give you a hangover and an extra pound or two from the excess calories. Instead, take a subtler approach to summer vacay at this scratch-made Italian restaurant in Fort Worth. The Toasted Coconut Old Fashioned starts with Elijah Craig and gets a splash of toasted coconut simple syrup and three dashes of Aztec chocolate bitters, all served over a large rock and garnished with orange peel and juicy maraschino cherries. Indulge in one while perusing the menu, which offers you the chance to go full beachfront cafe mode with calamari, lobster arancini, and a seafood-packed frutti di mare among your seaworthy options.

A celebration of smoke, spirits, and the sea await at this Texas brasserie in the Mule Alley section of the Fort Worth National Historic Stockyards District. To commemorate Old Fashioned Week, a special Wicked Twisted Road has been created that captures the essence of autumn— from the cocktail’s warm aromas to the melange of comforting flavors. It begins with Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon and features a special fall spice syrup, black walnut bitters, and gets capped off with a flamed orange peel. Try one with a mound of crispy pork rinds dusted with chili-lime salt and served with white barbecue sauce and hot sauce. (Pro tip: The spiciness is a great excuse to order a second Wicked Twisted Road.)

For a casual night out in the Lowest Greenville entertainment district, few places deliver the level of culinary creativity and bartending prowess as Alamo Club. Known for its comfort food and cozy interiors (as well as a lively dog-friendly patio), the eatery welcomes diners to experience an elevated homestyle meal, whether your cravings lead you to the Alamo Cheesesteak with shaved ribeye and havarti or the pot roast pappardelle, both robust enough to stand up to the Crockett Old Fashioned. In the glass, Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon, sugar, and Angostura bitters mingle for a straightforward, no-frills take on the classic, proving that sometimes simple can be superb.

It doesn’t get much more old-fashioned than Mayer’s Garden, a wild and exotic saloon originally opened in 1881. Though the original is long gone, a new team has resurrected the name to create a modern drinking destination on Henderson Avenue in East Dallas. The new incarnation pays tribute to the legacy of great food, drinks, and nonstop entertainment — minus the live zoo animals of the 19th-century-era location. On the cocktail menu, skip to Our Old Fashioned, an Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon creation with a dash of bitters and smoked sugar that enhances the already-smoky notes of the whiskey. Order up a plate of chicken nuggets and a platter of loaded cheese tots and you’ve got the recipe for a remarkably unpretentious night out on the town.

Up in the northern reaches of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, McKinney is staking its claim as a top spot for craft cocktails. In the case of Room One Eleven, that can be experienced with the speakeasy’s traditional old fashioned made with Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon and bruléed bitters. For a side-by-side taste challenge, order one alongside an Old Fashioned Week exclusive featuring Elijah Craig, maple syrup, and a dehydrated orange slice. Then take the flavor experiment a step further and sample each with fried halloumi cheese. Or go big with quintessential steak frites if you’re looking to do more than snack.

If someone says “craft cocktail bar,” the image in your head will likely be very similar to Parliament: a dark, swanky, pre-Prohibition-style bar with dim lighting from chandeliers and cozy nooks for intimate conversations over dizzying drinks. The venue doesn’t serve food—or have a phone—so pop in for drinks before or after dinner and grab the first available seat. A spot at the bar itself always makes for one of the best experiences because you can see the bartenders in action and maybe even get an Elijah Craig Old Fashioned created off-menu just for you. But you can never go wrong with the signature Parliament Old Fashioned. Made with Elijah Craig, vanilla, a sugar cube, Angostura bitters, and lemon peel instead of the more typical orange, it’s a classic with a (tiny) twist.

A perfect night out in New Orleans is as close as the Bishop Arts District. Come for the insanely energetic, crowd-pleasing live jazz (and other music styles on occasion) and enjoy the rhythmic revelry even more with a house standard old fashioned placed carefully on the table in front of you. It begins with Elijah Craig, a hint of simple syrup, and a combination of Angostura and orange bitters. Or go a little crazier with the Banana Bread Old Fashioned, featuring Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon, banana cordial, and both walnut and Angostura bitters for a fresh-baked take on the iconic cocktail. For a bar snack you won’t find many places, try the sweet and spicy crispy duck wings or duck fat popcorn to elevate your cocktail to a whole new level.

The Harwood District’s recently opened Hôtel Swexan invites overnight guests and visitors to indulge their curiosity at multiple food and beverage venues throughout the property. From the hotel-guests-only rooftop pool bar, Pomelo’s, to the white-tablecloth steakhouse and bar, Stillwell’s, each presents its own take on old fashioneds. Currently, the hotel’s cocktail lounge, Babou’s, has crafted a version infused with Tonka bean and a banana oleo saccharum syrup to bring out a variety of layered notes in the Elijah Craig. There’s also a version made with barrel-aged orange bitters that you can have smoked with cherry wood for extra complexity. Of course, the best way to enjoy one is delivered to your room to enjoy in a clawfoot tub (big enough for two) while looking out over the Dallas skyline.

Step into the two-dimensional, black-and-white world inside Temakeria for an old fashioned that has far more dimensions to it than its cartoon-like surroundings. The restaurant’s interpretation of the classic cocktail features Elijah Craig infused with coconut cream in order to mellow the spice and wood notes of the whiskey, while still following an otherwise classic recipe. Pair it with any number of the signature temaki, which can be ordered with everything from soft shell crab or lobster to toro or unagi.