The Long Beach Post is here to help, and this week we are publishing a series of videos ahead of New Year’s Eve on how to make our favorite drinks.

Today, Hi-lo writer and videographer Cheantay Jensen shows us how she makes an old fashioned:

I love the old fashioned. Sweet. Strong. And deceptively simple to make. My version of the old fashioned keeps mostly (not really) true to the traditional recipe, starting with a teaspoon and a half of simple syrup.

I know traditionally it’s supposed to be made with a sugar cube, but I opt for the syrup—less grainy. You’ll need two ounces of it. Then comes the bitters: about four dashes.

Add one large ice cube, then two ounces of your preferred bourbon and STIR THAT SUCKER.

Then, take an orange and cut a slice of the skin off. And yes, yes I know you’re supposed to burn the skin—release the oil or whatever, blah blah blah, but who has time for that? Instead I just twist the peel a bit and rub it around the rim of the glass. Then I take that same peel and shave off a bit of zest. Kind of does the same aromatic thing burning the peel would do, but less work. We like less work. Then plop that peel into the drink.

Finally, I add one luxardo cherry, though any dark cherry will do. And voila. You just made an old fashioned. Look at you.

Happy New Year!