Oaxaca Old Fashioned
Ingredients
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- 12 pieces ice cubes
- 1 1/2 ounces reposado tequila
- 1/2 ounces mezcal
- 1/4 ounces agave syrup (1:1 agave nectar and water)
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 piece large ice cube
- orange peel – expressed and flamed (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Set a rocks glass in the freezer to chill while you build the drink.
2. Fill a mixing glass three-quarters full with ice cubes.
3. Add the reposado tequila, mezcal, agave syrup, and Angostura bitters to the mixing glass.
4. Stir until very cold and properly diluted, 20–30 seconds, until the outside of the mixing glass is frosty.
5. Place the large ice cube in the chilled rocks glass, then strain the cocktail over it.
6. Express and briefly flame the orange peel over the surface, rub it around the rim, then drop it into the drink.
7. Serve immediately.
The Oaxaca Old Fashioned is a spirit-forward, agave-driven riff on the classic Old Fashioned, known for its silky texture and layered smoke. Reposado tequila provides a warm, vanilla-spice backbone while a measure of mezcal adds savory smoke and earthy complexity. A touch of agave syrup softens the edges without masking the spirits, and bitters tie everything together, finishing with bright citrus oils from an orange peel.
Created in the late 2000s and credited to bartender Phil Ward at Death & Co. in New York City, the drink pays homage to Oaxaca through its use of mezcal, a regional hallmark. It helped introduce a wider audience to mezcal by showcasing it in a familiar Old Fashioned format. Over time, the cocktail cemented itself as a modern classic, appearing on menus worldwide and influencing a generation of agave-based cocktails.