The Oaxaca Old Fashioned is a modern reimagining of a classic, blending smoky, earthy agave with sweet orange and rich chocolate notes. It showcases the essence of Mexican spirits, combining mezcal and tequila into a unique, smoky-sweet experience. Inspired by the traditional Old Fashioned, this twist takes you deep into Mexican flavor culture. It also played a key role in sparking the mezcal craze in the United States.
Story
The Oaxaca Old Fashioned is a relatively recent creation, born in 2007 at the iconic Death & Co bar in New York City. Bartender Phil Ward crafted the drink as a Mexican spin on the American whiskey-based Old Fashioned. Named after Oaxaca, one of Mexico’s most vibrant states, the cocktail quickly became a favorite in craft bars. The interplay of mezcal’s smoky punch and tequila’s smooth warmth has made this drink a standout in modern cocktail culture.
Ingredients
1 ½ oz (45 ml) Reposado tequila
½ oz (15 ml) mezcal
1 tsp (5 ml) agave syrup
2 dashes Angostura bitters
How to Make an Oaxaca Old Fashioned cocktail
Add ice cubes to an Old Fashioned glass. Pour in the tequila, mezcal, agave syrup, and bitters. Stir thoroughly to chill the drink and integrate the flavors. The smoky-sweet depth of the cocktail really comes alive when properly stirred.
Serving and Garnish
Serve the Oaxaca Old Fashioned in a classic Old Fashioned glass with a large ice cube. Garnish with a strip of orange peel. Twist it over the rim of the glass to release its essential oils and let the citrus aroma enhance the smoky character of the drink. Drop the peel into the glass to deepen the flavor even more.
Calorie Content
A single serving of the Oaxaca Old Fashioned contains approximately 160 calories, mostly from the agave syrup and spirits.