Tequila Old Fashioned

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This anejo tequila old fashioned is a lighter, brighter take on the much loved, classic cocktail. Check out our Mexican martini and gin mojito for more unique cocktail variations!

Two tequila old fashioned with orange peels in low ball crystal cocktail glasses.

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. But check out some of our others like our mango mai tai or spicy mezcal margarita and decide for yourself.

What To Expect

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.
Ready in: 3 minutes
Serves: 1 cocktail
Flavor profile: Agave, vanilla, and a little fruity. But this highly depends on your tequila of choice.
How to make it: Combine all ingredients in a rocks glass with ice and stir. Garnish with an orange peel swath.

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Why We Love This Recipe

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.
– Alex

Key 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.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

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.

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

Expert Tips

Find a tequila you enjoy – As with any spirit forward cocktail, the taste of the tequila matters the most in this drink. So take the opportunity to try different brands and different types. Here’s a good list if you’re looking for suggestions.
Play around with bitters – Bitters are great at both enhancing the natural flavors of a drink as well as adding their own fun, unique flavors. Play around with what bitters you like in your tequila old fashioneds. If you want something that tastes more traditional, use Angostura bitters, or lean into a more Mexican flavor with mole, tamarind, or even charred pineapple bitters.
Change up the sweetener – I love the taste of agave, so I enjoy using the agave nectar we call for in this recipe. That being said, regular simple syrup allows the tequila to shine on its own. Or use an orange liqueur, like cointreau, for a brighter, lighter sweetness.
Tweak the proportions – Make it your own. Have a sweet tooth? Use half an ounce of agave nectar. Want the tequila to stand out more? Use 3 ounces instead of 2. And please play around with the amount of bitters. Even though a “dash” is technically defined, it tends to vary from recipe to recipe, so find what tastes good to you. At the end of the day, all that matters is that you enjoy your drink.
Looking for a modern take on Peychaud’s bitters? Check out All The Bitter’s New Orleans Bitters for a fun, alcohol free version. I love putting a little of these in some club soda or tonic water for an easy mocktail.

Anejo tequila old fashioned in a crystal low rocks glass.

FAQs

Anejo is the best tequila for an old fashioned. It is the longest aged of the main three (blanco, reposado, and anejo) which gives it the boldest flavor and makes it the most similar to bourbon. Old fashioneds really let the spirit shine, so you want to choose a tequila that will stand out and that you enjoy.

Anejo tequila keeps the same barrel aged flavors that you get with bourbon, but it adds in an earthy, agave flavor that really brightens up the cocktail. And if you substitute agave nectar for sugar, the tequila flavor profile shines even better.

Related Tequila Recipes

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

Pineapple Coconut Margarita

Dulce de Leche Martini

Tequila Pina Colada

Mexican Martini

Tell us what you think!

We hope you enjoy this recipe! When you try it out, please leave a review and a star rating in the comments below. Happy cooking! – Nicole and Alex

A tequila old fashioned with an orange peel garnish.

Tequila Old Fashioned Recipe

Nicole & Alex Langdon

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

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 3

Total Time 3

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Servings cocktail

Calories 177 kcal

Ingredients

▢ 2 fluid ounces anjeo tequila
▢ ¼ fluid ounce agave nectar
▢ 2 dashes Peychaud's bitters or other New Orleans style bitters
▢ 1 dash chocolate bitters
▢ 1 swath orange peel for garnishing

Instructions

Combine the tequila, agave, and bitters in a rocks glass with ice and stir to combine.
Gently fold the orange peel lengthwise and twist it to express the oils over the glass. Then rub it around the rim and drop it into the drink to garnish.
Serve and enjoy. Cheers!

One last step:Please consider to let us know how it was!

Notes

Find a tequila you enjoy – As with any spirit forward cocktail, the taste of the tequila matters the most in this drink. So take the opportunity to try different brands and different types. Here’s a good list if you’re looking for suggestions.

Play around with bitters – Bitters are great at both enhancing the natural flavors of a drink as well as adding their own fun, unique flavors. Play around with what bitters you like in your tequila old fashioneds. If you want something that tastes more traditional, use Angostura bitters, or lean into a more Mexican flavor with mole, tamarind, or even charred pineapple bitters.

Change up the sweetener – I love the taste of agave, so I enjoy using the agave nectar we call for in this recipe. That being said, regular simple syrup allows the tequila to shine on its own. Or use an orange liqueur, like cointreau, for a brighter, lighter sweetness.

Tweak the proportions – Make it your own. Have a sweet tooth? Use half an ounce of agave nectar. Want the tequila to stand out more? Use 3 ounces instead of 2. And please play around with the amount of bitters. Even though a “dash” is technically defined, it tends to vary from recipe to recipe, so find what tastes good to you. At the end of the day, all that matters is that you enjoy your drink.

No orange? – Add in a dash of orange bitters to replace the orange peel to get the right flavor.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cocktailCalories: 177kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 0.02gFat: 0.03gSodium: 0.3mgPotassium: 2mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 4IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 2mgIron: 0.02mg

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One Comment

Alex Langdon says:

November 23, 2025 at 10:39 PM

This recipe is perfect for a slow sipping late night cocktail. The bright flavors of the bitters combine nicely with the sweet and earthy agave. And like all old fashioneds, this cocktail is super easy to make.