Albuquerque Old Fashioned
Ingredients:
2oz Rittenhouse Rye
Barspoon Agave Nectar
3 dashes Angostura Bitters
6 drops Bittermens Xocolatl Mole Bitters
20 drops Bittermens Hellfire Habanero Shrub
Orange Twist
Instructions:
Add the rye, agave nectar, Xocolatl Mole, Habenero shrub and Angostura bitters to a chilled mixing glass. Add ice and stir. Strain into a chilled rocks glass over a large ice rock. Garnish with a flamed orange twist.
Notes:
A spicy Old Fashioned with a hint of mole, accurately named after New Mexico’s largest city. Sweet spice and fresh citrus on the nose. The rye is tempered by the agave nectar (the original recipe calls for cane sugar, but I like the agave nectar better in this one and it fits more with the theme of the cocktail). The Xocolatl Mole and Angostura bitters come through in a big way. The citrus notes also carry into the palate, culminating in a whiskey and habanero laced finish. There is a tasteful kick to the Albuquerque, but not so much to turn off those more sensitive to spices. Aside from substituting agave nectar, I also like to flame the orange twist in this one.
History:
This great southwestern twist on an Old Fashioned was created by Tristan Willey while at Amor y Amargo in NY. The Albuquerque Old Fashioned is hands down one of my favorite cocktails. The interplay of bitters makes for a great variation, with some spice, while not straying too far from the original.
Variations:
See the Old Fashioned (Classic) recipe for more ideas.
The Straight Up 
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[…] Albuquerque Old Fashioned […]
[…] a friend for a very spicy and smokey drink. I’ve made him spicy drinks before, such as the Albuquerque Old Fashioned and Scorched Earth, both of which feature Bittermens excellent Hellfire Habanero Shrub. He has also […]