Mezcal Bitter Citrus Old Fashioned

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-01 · Updated 2026-08-01

A smoky twist on the classic Old Fashioned featuring mezcal, bitter orange liqueur, and grapefruit bitters with a bright citrus garnish. This Mexican recipe, ready in about 5 minutes, brings together mezcal, bitter orange liqueur (e.g. Cointreau), and simple syrup for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 160 calories and feeds 1, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Add this recipe to your weekly plan" 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
• 0.5 oz bitter orange liqueur (e.g. Cointreau)
• 0.25 oz simple syrup
• 3 dashes grapefruit bitters
• as needed ice cubes
• 1 orange peel
• 1 grapefruit peel

The shaker and jigger we’d mix this with → Best Bar Tools for 2026: Shakers, Jiggers & Strainers Worth Buying

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a mixing glass, combine 2 oz mezcal, 0.5 oz bitter orange liqueur, 0.25 oz simple syrup, and 3 dashes grapefruit bitters.
2. Step 2: Add ice cubes to fill the mixing glass and stir gently for 30 seconds until the cocktail is chilled and slightly diluted.
3. Step 3: Strain into a rocks glass over a large clear ice cube.
4. Step 4: Express the oils from 1 orange peel and 1 grapefruit peel over the drink by pinching each peel skin-side down, then rim the glass with them before placing both peels in the glass as garnish.