Orange-Spiced Mezcal Old Fashioned
A smoky twist on the Old Fashioned featuring mezcal, orange bitters, and a hint of warm spice, served over a large clear ice cube. This cocktails & beverages-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 5 minutes brings together mezcal, demerara syrup, dashes orange bitters 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 210 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
- 1/4 oz demerara syrup
- 3 dashes orange bitters
- a pinch ground cinnamon
- 1 large strip orange peel
- 1 large clear ice cube
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 1 large clear ice cube in a rocks glass.
- Step 2: In a mixing glass, combine 2 oz mezcal, 1/4 oz demerara syrup, 3 dashes orange bitters, and a pinch of ground cinnamon.
- Step 3: Fill the mixing glass with ice cubes and stir gently for 30 seconds to chill and dilute slightly.
- Step 4: Strain the mixture over the large ice cube in the rocks glass.
- Step 5: Express the oils of 1 large orange peel strip over the surface by twisting it above the glass, then rub the peel around the rim and rest it on the ice as garnish.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Orange-Spiced Mezcal Old Fashioned take to make?
Total time is about 5 minutes (5 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.
How do I store leftover Orange-Spiced Mezcal Old Fashioned?
Refrigerate any leftover orange-spiced mezcal old fashioned in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.
Can I substitute ingredients in Orange-Spiced 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 Orange-Spiced 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 Orange-Spiced Mezcal Old Fashioned?
Cocktails & Beverages cocktails & drinks 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.
