oaxacan old fashioned

The Oaxacan old fashioned is a rich cocktail made with reposado tequila and smoky mezcal. You’ll love the silky texture and complex flavors of roasted agave, honey, and peppery spice!

Why I love it:

Despite having developed hundreds of cocktail recipes over the years, the Old Fashioned is still my all-time favorite. I love its simplicity. I love the strong spirit, kissed with a touch of sweetness and a dash of warm bitters. 

Old fashioneds aren’t frilly or impressive, but I always find myself returning to them. It's probably because they aren’t as intense as sipping a spirit neat, which takes a certain kind of practice to get used to, but they still respect the spirit and let its unique qualities shine. 

And that’s why I am so excited about this Oaxacan old fashioned.

It’s a fabulous way to enjoy the flavors of reposado tequila and mezcal, which can get lost in margaritas or spritzy highballs.

It’s surprisingly light and delicate for a cocktail made up almost entirely of alcohol. The flavors unfold into caramelized agave, bright citrus, creamy vanilla, and a slow lingering finish of smoke.

It’s gorgeous to look at, simple to make, and evolves in your glass in captivating ways. I hope you love it as much as we do!

Note: oaxaca is pronounced “wah-ha-kah”

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Oaxacan old fashioned ingredients:

• reposado tequila
• mezcal
• agave nectar
• angostura bitters
• dried lemon slice, for garnish

How to make a oaxacan old fashioned:

1. Combine everything in a mixing glass filled with ice.
2. Stir until combined.
3. Strain into a rocks glass.
4. Garnish and enjoy!

A few tips:

• Agave is the most obvious sweetener to use, and it’s flavors mirror the agave notes in the drink. But by all means, substitute honey or maple syrup if that’s all you have.
• If you love smoky mezcal, you can play with the ratio of mezcal to tequila. But we find ½ oz of mezcal brings just enough complexity without getting carried away into fire-pit land.
• We love these large silicon ice cube trays for old fashioned cocktails!

Make this cocktail extra special:

• Play with the bitters (chocolate bitters, habanero bitters, grapefruit bitters).
• Swap out agave for flavored simple syrup (cinnamon syrup, jalapeño syrup, ginger syrup, pineapple).
• Swap out agave for hot honey.
• Muddle a few jalapeno slices at the bottom of the drink.
• Use añejo tequila for richer, toastier notes.

Garnish ideas:

• Flamed orange peel garnish
• Cinnamon stick or star anise
• Lime twist
• A small dried chili
• Edible flower (marigold, orange snap dragon, peach stock flower)

More old fashioned recipes to try!

applejack old fashioned

maple old fashioned

rum old fashioned

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