Elevate Your Drink: Essential Tequila Old Fashioned Guide

The Old Fashioned is a simple, classic drink that lets the main spirit shine. It's usually made with whiskey, but the Tequila Old Fashioned is a modern classic you need to try. It offers a smooth, earthy twist that is sophisticated and delicious.

If you’re ready to discover the best tequila for this drink, here is your complete guide on how to make a tequila old fashioned. We cover the ingredients and a simple step-by-step tequila old fashioned recipe.

What is an Old Fashioned with Tequila?

A tequila old fashioned uses the same core recipe as the original: spirit, sweetener, and bitters.

But using aged tequila instead of whiskey changes the taste completely. Whiskey gives you oak, vanilla, and spice. Tequila gives you the unique flavor of the agave plant: rich cooked agave, subtle spice, and a softer sweetness. We usually use agave syrup (or nectar, or simple sirup) as the sweetener.

Choosing the Best Tequila

The tequila is the most important part of this cocktail. For a tequila old fashioned, aging is key. Aging in oak barrels gives the tequila the depth and structure it needs to work with the bitters and sweetener, just like bourbon or rye whiskey.

There are three main types of aged tequila you can use:

• Reposado Tequila gives you a balanced, vanilla, and light oak taste with bright agave still present. Choose a Reposado for a lighter, more vibrant, and easy-to-drink cocktail.

• Añejo Tequila is richer, with notes of caramel, toasted oak, dark chocolate, and dried fruit. Choose an Añejo for a rich, whiskey-like taste that’s great for sipping.

• Extra Añejo Tequila has a deep complexity, strong oak, and a very smooth feel. Choose an Extra Añejo for a luxurious and truly top-shelf experience.

Our Recommendation: Start with a good Añejo Tequila. Its deep, oak-aged flavor is the closest to a traditional Old Fashioned, but it still highlights the wonderful, earthy notes of agave.

Tequila Old Fashioned Recipe

This simple recipe will make a perfectly balanced drink that is spirit-forward.

Tequila Old Fashioned Ingredients

• 2 oz Aged Tequila (Reposado or Añejo)

• 1 Barspoon (or just under 1/4 oz) Agave Syrup

• 2 Dashes Angostura Bitters

• 1 Dash Mole Bitters (Optional, for a spicy, chocolatey flavor)

• Garnish: Orange Peel

Instructions (How to Make It)

1. Mix Ingredients: In a mixing glass, add the agave syrup, Angostura bitters, any other bitters, and the aged tequila.

2. Stir with Ice: Fill the mixing glass with large ice cubes. Stir the mixture for about 20–30 seconds. This step chills and properly dilutes the drink.

3. Serve: Strain the cocktail into a chilled rocks glass over one large, fresh ice cube.

4. Garnish: Take your orange peel. Pinch and twist it over the glass to release the essential oils onto the drink. Rub the peel around the rim of the glass before placing it in the cocktail.

A Smoky Twist: The Smoked Tequila Old Fashioned

For a deeper, bolder flavor, try the smoked tequila old fashioned. This adds drama and complexity, blending the cooked agave with rich wood smoke.

To smoke your drink, you can use a cocktail smoking kit or a smoking gun.

Smoked Tequila Variations

• The Oaxacan Old Fashioned: This uses both Reposado Tequila and a smoky Mezcal (about 1.5 oz Tequila to 0.5 oz Mezcal). Mezcal naturally provides a delicious, smoky flavor.

• Añejo Smoke: You can smoke the finished Añejo Old Fashioned by trapping smoke from wood chips (like cherry or pecan) under a glass dome or in a sealed glass. The rich, aged notes of the Añejo go perfectly with the smoke.

Suggested Tequila Brands for an Old Fashioned

Look for a Reposado or Añejo expression. Aging mellows the spirit and adds the notes of vanilla, caramel, and spice you want in this cocktail.

Reposado Tequila (Aged 2-12 months)

Reposado is a great starting point, offering a good balance between bright agave flavor and barrel notes.

Añejo Tequila (Aged 1-3 years)

Añejo tequilas are aged longer, giving them a richer, smoother taste, very similar to a fine whiskey.

Tip: Choose a high-quality Reposado or Añejo that you enjoy sipping on its own. Since the drink is mostly tequila, a great spirit guarantees a great cocktail.

Final Sip: Choosing Your Bottle

The beauty of the tequila old fashion is that a great cocktail starts with a great spirit. Since this drink is predominantly tequila, choose a high-quality Reposado or Añejo that you enjoy neat. This ensures that the subtle dance between the spirit, the agave syrup, and the Angostura bitters results in a world-class, sophisticated fashioned cocktail.

Ready to mix? Grab your preferred aged tequila and enjoy this masterful twist on one of the classic cocktails of all time!