Chocolate Chili Mezcal Old Fashioned
A smoky mezcal Old Fashioned with a daring kick of chili and rich chocolate bitters, creating a complex and warming sipping experience. This cocktails-inspired quick meals ready in about 5 minutes pairs mezcal, demerara syrup, dashes chocolate bitters for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 190 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 mezcal
- 1/4 oz demerara syrup
- 3 dashes chocolate bitters
- a pinch chili powder
- 1 wide strip orange peel
- 1 large clear ice cube
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 1 large clear ice cube into a rocks glass.
- Step 2: In a mixing glass filled with ice, pour 2 oz mezcal, 1/4 oz demerara syrup, and add 3 dashes of chocolate bitters along with a pinch of chili powder.
- Step 3: Stir gently with a bar spoon for 30 seconds until well chilled and slightly diluted.
- Step 4: Strain the mixture over the ice cube in the rocks glass.
- Step 5: Express a wide strip of orange peel over the drink by twisting it to release the oils, then rim the glass with the peel before resting it on the ice as garnish.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Chocolate Chili Mezcal Old Fashioned take to make?
Total time is about 5 minutes (5 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 Chocolate Chili Mezcal 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 mezcal from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Chocolate Chili Mezcal 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 Chocolate Chili Mezcal 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 Chocolate Chili Mezcal 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.
