Smoky Honey-Orange Old Fashioned
A bold twist on the classic Old Fashioned with smoky mezcal, sweet honey, and bright orange bitters. This cocktails & beverages-inspired quick meals ready in about 7 minutes pairs mezcal, honey syrup (1:1 honey to water), dashes orange bitters for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 210 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 mezcal
- 1/2 oz honey syrup (1:1 honey to water)
- 3 dashes orange bitters
- 1 large clear ice cube
- 1 wide strip orange peel
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 1 large clear ice cube into a rocks glass.
- Step 2: In a mixing glass, combine 2 oz mezcal, 1/2 oz honey syrup, and 3 dashes orange bitters.
- Step 3: Fill the mixing glass with ice and stir gently with a bar spoon for 30 seconds until well chilled and slightly diluted.
- Step 4: Strain the cocktail over the ice cube in the rocks glass.
- Step 5: Express a wide strip of orange peel over the surface by holding it skin-side down and twisting to release the oils.
- Step 6: Rub the peel around the rim of the glass and rest it elegantly on the edge as garnish.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Smoky Honey-Orange 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 Smoky Honey-Orange 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 mezcal from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Smoky Honey-Orange 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 Honey-Orange 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 Honey-Orange Old Fashioned?
Cocktails & Beverages 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.
