Rum Citrus Stirred Old Fashioned
A tropical take on the Old Fashioned, blending aged rum with bright citrus notes and warm bitters, stirred to smoothness. This cocktails-inspired quick meals ready in about 7 minutes pairs aged dark rum, dashes orange bitters, wide strip lemon twist for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 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 dark rum
- 0.25 oz demerara syrup (1:1 demerara sugar to water)
- 3 dashes orange bitters
- 1 wide strip lemon twist
- 1 wide strip orange twist
- 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 aged dark rum, 0.25 oz demerara syrup, and 3 dashes orange bitters.
- Step 3: Stir gently with a bar spoon for 30 seconds until the mixture is well chilled and slightly diluted.
- Step 4: Strain over the large ice cube in the rocks glass.
- Step 5: Express the oils of 1 wide lemon twist over the surface of the drink, then rub it along the rim and discard.
- Step 6: Repeat with 1 wide orange twist, then rest both twists elegantly on the rim of the glass for garnish.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Rum Citrus Stirred Old Fashioned take to make?
Total time is about 7 minutes (7 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 Rum Citrus Stirred 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 dark rum from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Rum Citrus Stirred 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 Rum Citrus Stirred 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 Rum Citrus Stirred 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.
