History & Heritage
“Phil Ward debuted the Oaxaca Old Fashioned at New York's Death & Co in 2007, splitting the base between reposado tequila and mezcal, sweetening with agave nectar and finishing with bitters. The drink helped kick-start mezcal's rise in the craft-cocktail movement and showcased agave spirits in a familiar Old Fashioned format.”
Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Add agave nectar and bitters to a rocks glass
Add a splash of water and muddle gently
Add tequila and mezcal
Add ice and stir until chilled
Garnish with an orange peel, flamed
Glassware
Served over ice in a rocks glass
Garnish
Flamed orange peel
Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Flame the orange peel for aromatics
Use quality mezcal for the best smoke
Flavor Journey
Every great cocktail tells a story through its flavors. Here's the sensory experience you can expect.
Sweet
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Sour
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Bitter
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Strong
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Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Oaxaca Old Fashioned.
Equal Parts Smoke
Balances tequila and mezcal in a 1:1 split for a smokier profile.
Changes
Mezcal Old Fashioned
Drops the tequila entirely for a bold all-mezcal sipper.
Changes
Spicy Oaxaca Old Fashioned
Adds jalapeño heat for a fiery twist.
Changes
Oaxaca Negroni
Transforms the template into a bitter-sweet stirred cocktail with Campari and vermouth.
Changes
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
Manhattan
The quintessential whiskey cocktail—rye, vermouth and bitters in perfect harmony—serving as the template for a whole family of spirit-forward drinks.
Mezcal Negroni
A 1:1:1 riff where earthy mezcal stands in for gin, giving the Italian aperitivo a sultry, agave-smoked backbone.
Old Fashioned
The primordial cocktail—whiskey, sugar, bitters, and water—showcasing the base spirit in its purest, most aromatic form.