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-inspired recipe, ready in about 5 minutes, brings together mezcal, bitter orange liqueur (e.g. Cointreau), 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 "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
• 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.