Tequila Old Fashioned

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This anejo tequila old fashioned is a lighter, brighter take on the much loved, classic cocktail.

I like all sorts of old fashioneds and have made them with many different spirits, sweeteners, and bitters. However, Nicole doesn’t really like whiskey so she isn’t normally a fan. But every once in a while she likes a slow sipping drink and the feel of an old fashioned. So I made her a tequila old fashioned that combines the feeling she was looking for with a spirit she loves. 

And let me tell you, it really hits the mark. This is one of my favorite variations of the classic cocktail I’ve made.

What This Recipe Entails

• Ready in: 3 minutes
• Serves: 1 cocktail
• Great for: Cold autumn nights when you’re looking for a lighter take on a classic old fashioned, or if you aren’t a fan of whiskey but still want a rich, spirit forward, slow-sipping drink.
• Flavor profile: Agave, vanilla, and a little fruity. But this highly depends on your tequila of choice.
• Why we love it: We love tequila, and enjoy being able to show it off in an old fashioned. Old fashioneds are great for highlighting a spirit you like, while still being able to enhance it with a couple different flavors (a bitter, a sweetener, and a garnish). We love how the sweet agave gets enhanced with the bright fruitiness from the bitters and orange peel.

Ingredients

• Tequila – I prefer anejo tequila for this old fashioned thanks to its rich, barrel-aged flavor. But if you want a lighter, brighter profile, use a blanco or reposado. We sadly have a pretty limited selection of Tequila brands here in Vermont, so we tend to stick to Hornitos as a budget friendly tequila we enjoy for mixing. But tequila varies a lot from brand to brand, so we recommend trying as many as you can to learn what you like. The best tequila is the one you enjoy drinking.
• Sweetener – Agave nectar is the classic sweetener for tequila old fashioneds and our preferred option. However if you don’t have any, simple syrup is a good substitute. 
• Bitters – We chose to go with a combination of Peychaud’s bitters (or other New Orleans style bitters) and chocolate bitters for this cocktail. We find the brighter notes of the Peychaud’s bitters to enhance the agave flavor while the sweeter chocolate bitters combine well with the oak and vanilla inherent to the anejo. 
• Garnish – A little acidic note and the bright aroma of an orange swath help to enhance the drink, plus it’s the classic look of an old fashioned that we love to pay homage to.

How To Make A Tequila Old Fashioned

Old fashioneds are really easy because they can be made right in the same glass they’re served in. 

1. Add the tequila, agave nectar, and bitters to a rocks glass with ice and stir to chill.
2. Express an orange swath over the drink, wipe it around the rim of the glass, and place it in the drink.
3. Serve.

Give this agave take on an old fashioned a try and let us know what you think by rating, commenting, and sharing below. And if you’d rather a smokier take on this recipe, check out our mezcal old fashioned!

Love this recipe? You may enjoy these tequila cocktail recipes, too:

• Pineapple Coconut Margarita
• Mexican Martini
• Tequila Pina Colada
• Dulce de Leche Martini