Smoky Chocolate Espresso Old Fashioned
A bold, spirit-forward cocktail that marries smoky mezcal with rich espresso and bitters for a decadent evening sip. This cocktails-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 5 minutes brings together mezcal, cold brew espresso, dashes chocolate 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 175 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
- 1/2 oz cold brew espresso
- 3 dashes chocolate bitters
- 1/4 oz demerara syrup
- 1 cube large ice cube
- 1 twist orange twist
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Place a large clear ice cube in a rocks glass.
- Step 2: In a mixing glass filled with ice, pour 2 oz mezcal, 1/2 oz cold brew espresso, 3 dashes chocolate bitters, and 1/4 oz demerara syrup.
- 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 an orange twist over the surface to release essential oils, then rim the glass and rest the twist inside as garnish.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Smoky Chocolate Espresso 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 Smoky Chocolate Espresso Old Fashioned?
Refrigerate any leftover smoky chocolate espresso 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 Smoky Chocolate Espresso 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 Smoky Chocolate Espresso 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 Smoky Chocolate Espresso Old Fashioned?
Cocktails 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.
