Smoky California BBQ Old Fashioned
A rich, smoky twist on a classic Old Fashioned that honors California’s renowned BBQ scene, featuring mesquite-smoked bourbon and a hint of maple. This recipe, ready in about 7 minutes, brings together mesquite-smoked bourbon, maple syrup, Angostura 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 mesquite-smoked bourbon
- 0.5 oz maple syrup
- 3 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 wide strip orange peel
- 1 large clear ice cube
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Place a large clear ice cube into a rocks glass.
- Step 2: In a mixing glass filled halfway with ice cubes, pour 2 oz mesquite-smoked bourbon, 0.5 oz maple syrup, and add 3 dashes of Angostura bitters.
- Step 3: Stir gently with a bar spoon for 30 seconds until well chilled and slightly diluted.
- Step 4: Strain the mixture over the large ice cube in the rocks glass.
- Step 5: Express the oils of 1 wide orange peel over the surface by twisting it firmly, then rim the glass with the peel before resting it on the ice as garnish.







