They are kind of a tradition in my family. Every Christmas my Uncle Joe makes up a shaker of Old Fashioneds and chills them til company comes. It's the traditional Christmas toast (though I personally find them waaaay too strong, but the rest of the family including my Mom loves them).

My Uncle Joe from the other side of the family, now departed, used to make them as well. He had a pretty heavy hand with the liquor, although I don't know if it's possible to make a weak Old Fashioned

He also used to make a variation which he called a Whoopie Scoopie. He made some sort of sugar/water concoction and let that chill in the fridge, and added that to the usual Old Fashioned. I recall his having more than a cherry....lemon, or maybe pineapple? I'll have to ask my Mom; I am sure she remembers.

Oh, and we are all from NY.