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.

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 is how our mezcal old fashioned was born! The perfect combination of a slow sipper with a refreshing summer vibe. This cocktail hits the spot no matter the occasion.

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.

Mezcal Old Fashioned Ingredients

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
• Agave nectar (alternatively agave syrup)
• Fiesta bitters

While we believe the best type of mezcal for an old fashioned is espadin, you can use whatever kind you fancy. Mezcal comes in many unique varieties and flavor profiles, so finding your favorite may take some time, but is totally worth it. If you don’t know where to start, we recommend Del Maguey Vida Clasico or Vida Puebla as they are both widely available at an entry level price point, and great for cocktails. 

For the agave, you can either use agave nectar or agave syrup. We prefer agave nectar as it has (or should have) nothing added to it. For agave nectar we recommend Agave In The Raw. However if you already have or prefer to use agave syrup, we recommend a high quality one that has as few additives as possible so you get the right flavor.

For agave syrup we like Tres Agaves Agave Nectar. Yes, it is called agave nectar, but if you look at the ingredients, you’ll notice it has water added to it, making it a syrup instead of pure agave nectar. This is why you should always look at your nutrition labels. 

Lastly, we love our Vena’s Fiesta Bitters in this mezcal old fashioned. Vena’s describes it as “a tamarind agave bitter with a trace of earthy taste.” As far as we know, Vena’s is the only brand to make such a unique and flavorful variety of bitters, and we can’t recommend it enough. 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.

Choosing ingredients you like the flavor of individually is a critical part to crafting a cocktail you love. If you don’t like the taste of one of the 3 ingredients in a drink, you’ll notice it!

How To Make A Mezcal Old Fashioned

Now that you have the ingredients, making a mezcal old fashioned is easy. It can actually be as simple as one step!

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. 

If you are using agave syrup instead of agave nectar as this recipe calls for, you’ll want to double the amount of syrup used. Agave syrups are generally made with a 1 to 1 ratio of agave nectar and water. So to get the same amount of sweetness and flavor from the agave syrup, you’ll have to double the amount used when compared to agave nectar. 

Using the right ice or including a garnish can really take a good drink to the next level. For instance, we love using our extra large ice cube tray for an old fashioned. These large cubes melt slower than a few cubes of normal ice, and they add to the sophisticated experience of drinking a mezcal old fashioned. As for the garnish, click here for some fun and easy orange peel garnish ideas!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This old fashioned with mezcal 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 the cocktail of the summer. Even though you’ll be making this year round, a mezcal old fashioned is the perfect sipper for around a campfire on a warm summer night. 

Treat yourself to a mezcal old fashioned next time you are looking for a light, bright, and refreshing slow drinking cocktail. Let us know what you think by commenting, rating, and sharing below.