Mezcal Old Fashioned

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Make this simple mezcal old fashioned with just 3 ingredients for an easy sipper you’ll instantly fall in love with. Especially if you enjoy it along side some crispy pork belly tacos!

Cocktails are fascinating recipes to experiment and play with thanks to classics like the old fashioned. With a time-tested recipe that has been enjoyed over and over again with many different twists and riffs, we know we have an amazing template to start from.

And that’s just what we did with our mezcal old fashioned. This lovely combination of a slow sipper and refreshing summer cocktail hits the spot no matter the occasion. And be sure to check out our tequila old fashioned for another great option.

What This Recipe Entails

This mezcal twist on a classic old fashioned brings in Mexican flavors to compliment those of the mezcal. As easy as any other simple cocktail, this recipe takes just 3 ingredients and a stir.

• Prep time: 3 minutes
• Ingredients: Mezcal, agave nectar, fiesta bitters

Mezcal, agave nectar, and fiesta bitters aren’t necessarily ingredients you have laying around, so we’ll recommend the best for each ingredient to make sure your cocktail is perfect. Check out the ingredients section below for information on each ingredient.

How To Make A Mezcal Old Fashioned

As with any old fashioned, the ingredients in a mezcal old fashioned are critical as there aren’t many of them.

Following the basic old fashioned recipe, we have our spirit, our sweetener, and our bitters. And to stay true to that classic recipe, we make this mezcal old fashioned with no tequila, only mezcal. One spirit, clean and straightforward!

Here’s what’s in a mezcal old fashioned:

• Mezcal – We recommend starting with espadin if you don’t already have a go to mezcal for yourself. Some of our favorites are Del Maguey Vida Clasico or Vida Puebla. Mezcal comes in many unique varieties and flavor profiles, so finding your favorite may take some time, but is totally worth it.
• Agave nectar – Agave nectar should have nothing added to it which makes it our preferred ingredient. If there’s water in the ingredients then you have agave syrup, not nectar. Sub agave syrup for nectar by doubling the volume. For agave nectar we recommend Agave In The Raw. For agave syrup we recommend Tres Agaves Agave Nectar (ironically the name is incorrect).
• Vena’s fiesta bitters – We love Vena’s bitters, especially this “tamarind agave bitter with a trace of earthy taste”. However, if you can’t find this particular one, you can use classic angostura or orange bitters, or any Mexican inspired bitters such as habanero or mole.

Now that you have the ingredients, making a mezcal old fashioned is as easy as combine and serve:

1. Add all your ingredients to a rocks glass over ice and stir to combine.
2. Optionally, add a slice of orange peel for garnish. 

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This mezcal old fashioned is a refreshing take on a well loved classic. The smoky mezcal replaces the traditional bourbon seamlessly. And once it’s complemented with a sweet, earthy agave, and bright, citrusy bitters, you’ll understand why this is our specialty cocktail of the summer.