Caribbean Citrus Old Fashioned
A smooth, spirit-forward cocktail with aged rum, bright citrus bitters, and a hint of sweetness, served over a large ice cube. This cocktails-inspired quick meals ready in about 6 minutes pairs aged rum, demerara syrup, dashes orange bitters for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 200 calories and feeds 1, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 oz aged rum
- 0.25 oz demerara syrup
- 3 dashes orange bitters
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 strip orange peel
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 2 oz aged rum, 0.25 oz demerara syrup, 3 dashes orange bitters, and 2 dashes Angostura bitters into a mixing glass.
- Step 2: Fill the mixing glass with large ice cubes to chill without over-diluting.
- Step 3: Stir gently with a bar spoon for 30 seconds until well chilled and slightly diluted.
- Step 4: Strain into a rocks glass over a single large clear ice cube.
- Step 5: Express the oils of 1 wide orange peel strip over the glass surface by holding it over the drink and twisting, then rim the glass with the peel and rest it inside as garnish.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Caribbean Citrus Old Fashioned take to make?
Total time is about 6 minutes (6 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Caribbean Citrus Old Fashioned?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep aged rum from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Caribbean Citrus Old Fashioned?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Caribbean Citrus Old Fashioned for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Caribbean Citrus Old Fashioned?
Cocktails quick meals like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
