Quick answer: Stir 2 oz Añejo Cristalino tequila, ¼ oz agave syrup and two dashes of aromatic bitters with ice. Strain over one large ice cube and express an orange peel over the glass. Start with less syrup if you prefer the tequila’s oak character to lead.

An Old Fashioned is a useful test of an aged tequila. Its short ingredient list puts the spirit at the center, while bitters and orange add contrast. The goal is not to imitate whiskey perfectly. It is to give agave, oak and the drink’s measured sweetness a comfortable balance.

Ingredients for one tequila Old Fashioned

• 2 oz Billy’s Añejo Cristalino Tequila
• ⅛–¼ oz agave syrup, to taste
• 2 dashes aromatic bitters
• One wide orange peel and one large ice cube

Add the tequila, syrup and bitters to a mixing glass with ice. Stir until chilled and slightly diluted, then strain over a large cube in a short glass. Twist the orange peel over the surface to release its oils and use it as the garnish. This is one adult serving.

Why Añejo Cristalino fits this cocktail

Billy’s expression ages for 13 months before triple charcoal filtration. The brand describes vanilla, caramel and toasted oak, plus a clean, warm finish. Those flavors work with orange and bitters. The clear color is visually different from many aged spirits, but the underlying tequila is an Añejo.

Try a small taste neat before mixing. If it already reads sweet to you, use only ⅛ oz syrup. If the bitters dominate, reduce them by a dash on the next build. One controlled change at a time makes it easier to find your preferred version.

Agave syrup, sugar or no sweetener?

Agave syrup is convenient because it mixes easily into a stirred cocktail. A small amount of simple syrup can also work. Skipping sweetener entirely makes the drink closer to a bitters-and-tequila pour than a classic Old Fashioned structure; that may still be your preference. The recipe is a starting point rather than a rigid formula.

Choose an orange peel rather than a splash of juice. The peel adds aroma without substantially changing dilution or acidity. If you prefer a cooler drink, chill the glass first instead of stirring indefinitely.

Buying the right expression online

For local-store maps and retailer information, see where to buy Billy’s Tequila. Confirm the exact expression, current inventory and eligible pickup or delivery terms with the retailer; adults 21+ only.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use Blanco in a tequila Old Fashioned?

Yes, but it will emphasize fresh agave rather than vanilla and oak. Reduce sweetener and taste the different result on its own terms.

Why stir instead of shake?

Stirring chills and dilutes a spirit-forward cocktail without the aeration and texture that shaking introduces. For this recipe, it keeps the presentation clear and restrained.

Do I need a special bitters brand?

No. Aromatic bitters are a useful baseline. Start with two dashes, then adjust only after you taste how the bitters interact with the tequila.

Related reading: what Cristalino tequila means.

Billy’s Añejo Cristalino Tequila; tequila, 40% alc/vol (80 proof) each. Responsible advertiser: Billy’s Tequila, info@billystequila.com. For adults 21+. Enjoy responsibly. Never drink before driving, boating or other activities requiring sobriety. Retail availability and shipping vary by location.