When he was in college, Prateek Kuhad was a huge fan of the TV show Mad Men, the 1960s-era period drama that follows advertising executive — and big-time whiskey fan — Don Draper. That's how Kuhad first got the idea to start ordering old fashioneds while he was out at bars — and now, years later, it's still his drink of choice.
"I think it's the safest thing to get at any bar. Most places make really good old fashioneds," the singer says, explaining why the drink is an especially good choice for when he's on tour.
In this episode of Herbal Tea & White Sofas, Kuhad says that a little bit of liquor is an important part of his pre-show ritual. "Me and my band like to have a drink before, just to calm our nerves," he explains. "So for that, we usually have a bottle of whiskey."
Along with a nice cocktail, Kuhad also has to make sure he has some provisions to munch on during grueling tour days. "I'm all about snacks. It's the first thing that I do when I start on tour, is just hit a nice grocery store or something and get a bunch of stuff," he adds.
If your tour rider budget doesn't allow for an on-the-road bartender, you've got to pick up some drink-making skills of your own — and Kuhad has become an expert at crafting an old fashioned that would get even Don Draper's seal of approval. In the video above, Kuhad demonstrates his technique for making the perfect concoction with its core ingredients: simple syrup, Angostura bitters, an orange twist, and — of course — whiskey.
Press play to watch the singer-songwriter's complete old fashioned recipe, and keep checking GRAMMY.com for more episodes of Herbal Tea & White Sofas.
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