We took a traditional Old Fashioned, usually made with Bourbon, and updated it with a delicious Añejo Tequila. This drink keeps traditional with the use of bitters and an orange peel, but uses agave nectar to blend perfectly with the flavors of this rich and flavorful tequila.
Similar to the Añejo Old Fashioned is the Añejo Manhattan or Añejo on the Rocks.
Añejo Tequila
If you have not had Añejo before it is a delicious tequila that is aged in barrels for a minimum of one year. Most Añejos have a beautiful caramel color. The flavor is a blend of salty earthy tequila mixed with caramel and vanilla.
It is an excellent tequila to sip on the rocks or in cocktails that are liquor forward, like this Anejo Cobbler or Tequila Sour.
Some brands that make a great Añejo:
- Casamigos
- Patron
Ingredients
Here are the items you need to make a proper Añejo Old Fashioned- short rocks glass, ice, stir spoon, Añejo tequila, fresh orange, Angostura bitters, and agave nectar.
Ice
It is traditional to use 1 large cube of ice to drink your Old Fashioned. To make amazing Clear Ice I use these Clearly Frozen Trays.
Agave
Agave is a natural sweetener made from the agave plant…just like tequila. So they are a match made in heaven. It is used in place of sugar or simple syrup of a traditional Old Fashioned.
Agave can tend to be thicker and harder to mix into your cocktail, so make sure you take the extra time to stir it into your drink really well.
Orange
You will use the orange peel in this cocktail, taking advantage of the natural essential oils in the skin. Give it a little twist over your cocktail and it will perfume your drink perfectly.
Tips to Make An Amazing Añejo Old Fashioned
- Use a quality Añejo tequila that is a nice dark caramel color. Generally a good Añejo will be $50+. When you smell it, it should have aromas of caramel and vanilla.
- This drink will be stirred, not shaken. You want the flavors to slowly open as the ice melts into your drink.
- Pour all the ingredients over ice and then stir…stir…stir. Take the extra time to stir the drink. This will mix in the agave and start the ice melting, which will mellow the burn of the alcohol and open up all the layers of flavor.
- Peel the orange rind close to the surface, trying to not get any of the white pith that is right under the skin. The pith can tend to be bitter.
Other Añejo Cocktails
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Añejo Old Fashioned
Ingredients
- 2 oz Anejo Tequila
- ⅛ oz up to ¼ oz. agave nectar
- 3 dashes Angostura bitters
- Garnish – orange peel
Instructions
- Place a large ice cube in a rocks glass or whiskey style glass. If you don't have a large ice cube, just use a few fridge cubes.
- Pour the Añejo, agave and dashes of bitters into the glass, over the ice.
- Using a bar spoon, stir the cocktail to mix the agave in, about 30 seconds. This will also start the melting of the ice, which will help open the flavors of your cocktail!
- Twist the orange peel over the cocktail and then drop it in. Stir it two or three more times around the glass.
- Enjoy!
Notes:
- Use a quality Añejo tequila that is a nice dark caramel color. Generally a good Añejo will be $50+. When you smell it, it should have aromas of caramel and vanilla.
- This drink will be stirred, not shaken. You want the flavors to slowly open as the ice melts into your drink.
- Pour all the ingredients over ice and then stir…stir…stir. Take the extra time to stir the drink. This will mix in the agave and start the ice melting, which will mellow the burn of the alcohol and open up all the layers of flavor.
- Peel the orange rind close to the surface, trying to not get any of the white pith that is right under the skin. The pith can tend to be bitter.
If nutrition facts are provided they are calculated as an estimate to the best of our knowledge.
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