What is the result of muddling a cherry and an orange slice in a Muddled Old Fashion?

Muddling a cherry and an orange slice in a Muddled Old Fashioned is done primarily to enhance the flavor of the drink. When you muddle these fruits, you are releasing their natural juices and aromatic compounds, which infuses the drink with additional sweetness and citrus notes. This technique allows the flavors to meld together, creating a more complex and enjoyable tasting experience.

The process of muddling serves to combine the sweetness of the cherry with the bright acidity of the orange, which complements the bitterness of the whiskey often used in an Old Fashioned. This layered flavor profile is essential to achieving the signature taste of this classic cocktail.

While the muddling does have some impact on the drink's appearance, chilling, or dilution, these are not the primary purposes of this technique. The focus is on enhancing the overall flavor complexity, making it the key reason behind muddling the cherry and orange slice in this cocktail.