Pandan Old Fashioned Recipe

Measure and combine

Chill an old fashioned glass by filling it with ice and setting aside. In a mixing glass, add 2 oz Diplomatico Mantuano rum, 0.5 oz Kota Pandan Liqueur, 0.25 oz simple syrup, 2 dashes Angostura bitters and (if using) 1 dash pandan bitters.

Stir and dilute

Fill the mixing glass with large, cubed ice and stir gently for 20–30 seconds until the mixture is well chilled and slightly diluted. Aim for a satin texture and proper balance — the mixing glass should feel very cold to the touch.

Prepare glass

Discard the ice from the chilled old fashioned glass and add one large clear ice cube or two large ice spheres.

Strain

Double-strain the stirred mixture (use a Hawthorne or julep strainer and a fine mesh if you want clearer liquid) into the prepared old fashioned glass over the large ice cube.

Express and garnish

Take an orange peel, squeeze it over the cocktail to express the oils, then rub the peel around the glass rim and drop it into the drink as garnish.

Smoke pandan leaf

If using the pandan-smoke accent, briefly char one pandan leaf with a small kitchen torch or using hot charcoal until it starts releasing fragrant smoke (do not set it fully aflame). Invert the old fashioned glass over the smoking leaf for 10–20 seconds to capture the smoke, or place the smoking leaf in a small cloche and trap smoke around the glass for the same duration.

Finish

Lift the glass to release the smoked aroma, then proceed with the orange peel garnish as above. Serve immediately so the pandan aroma is prominent.