Oaxaca Old FashionedCocktail recipe
Rating
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
The Oaxaca Old Fashioned is a modern twist on the Old Fashioned template that swaps in agave spirits for a richer, more savoury take on the stirred, spirit-forward classic. Rather than leaning on whiskey’s vanilla-and-oak profile, you’ll find this drink built around tequila and mezcal, giving it a distinctly Mexican accent while keeping the same minimalist, “let the base spirit speak” philosophy that defines an Old Fashioned.
On the palate, tequila reposado brings rounded agave sweetness with a gentle oak softness, while the mezcal adds a smoky edge that sits right on top of the drink. Agave syrup reinforces the natural sweetness of both spirits without pulling the balance into cloying territory. A dash of chocolate bitters threads through the middle, adding a dark, aromatic bitterness that tightens the finish and makes the smoke feel deeper and more structured.
You’ll enjoy this most when you want something contemplative and slow-sipping—ideal as a pre-dinner aperitif for agave fans or a nightcap when you’d normally reach for a whiskey Old Fashioned. Serve it when you’re in the mood for bold flavour with minimal fuss, especially if you like your drinks dry-leaning, aromatic, and unapologetically spirit-led.
Microbadges
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Tags
Lowball / rocks glass
Ingredients
Cocktail Colin says:
Mezcal and tequila reposado lead with smoky agave and mellow oak, rounded by agave syrup’s earthy sweetness and deepened by a dash of chocolate bitters that adds cocoa-like bitterness and spice. The agave syrup smooths the mezcal’s smoke while chocolate bitters tighten the finish, making it ideal for spirit-forward drinkers who want savory depth with a subtle sweet edge.
Method
How to make a Oaxaca Old Fashioned
- Mezcal 15ml, Tequila reposado 45ml, Agave syrup 7.5ml, Chocolate bitters Dash
-
- Combine ingredients in a mixing glass and fill with ice
-
- Stir well to chill, and strain into glass filled with ice
-
- Twist an orange peel over drink and use as garnish, then serve
Power tips
Elevate the Oaxaca Old Fashioned with these master mixologist tips
Upgrade to premium
And receive world class tips on how to raise your cocktails to the next level.
Find out more- Upgrade to premium to receive power tips from top bartenders around the world. Raise you mixology game.
- Read the tweaks that take this simple cocktail to the next level of greatness. Become the next best mixologist which people all talk about.
Your private tasting notes
Featured in
FAQ's
What is the origin of the Oaxaca Old Fashioned?
The Oaxaca Old Fashioned was created by Phil Ward at Death & Co in New York City in the late 2000s. It's a twist on the classic Old Fashioned, substituting tequila and mezcal for the traditional bourbon or rye, reflecting a growing interest in agave-based spirits.
Why is Mezcal used in the Oaxaca Old Fashioned?
Mezcal is used in the Oaxaca Old Fashioned for its smoky flavor, which adds depth and complexity to the drink. It contrasts with the sweetness of the agave syrup and the herbal notes of the tequila, creating a balanced and distinctive cocktail.
What is the significance of stirring the Oaxaca Old Fashioned?
Stirring the Oaxaca Old Fashioned, rather than shaking, is important to maintain the clarity and smooth texture of the cocktail. Stirring gently combines the ingredients without aerating the drink, preserving its rich flavors and ensuring it remains undiluted.
What type of glass is recommended for the Oaxaca Old Fashioned?
The Oaxaca Old Fashioned is best served in a lowball glass, also known as an old fashioned glass. This short, round glass allows for a generous amount of ice to keep the drink cold while offering enough room to nose the drink's aromatics, enhancing the overall drinking experience.
What are the best garnishing tips for an Oaxaca Old Fashioned?
For the Oaxaca Old Fashioned, a simple orange twist or a slice of orange is recommended to complement the smoky and herbal flavors of the drink. The citrus oils expressed from the garnish add a fresh aroma and a slight citrusy brightness, balancing the drink's sweetness and smokiness.
Upgrade your mixology
Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. Or become a premium member to rise to cocktail greatness.
- Save your bar forever
- Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
- Access to Cocktail Colin; ask Cocktail Colin anything on an individual cocktail and he'll give you the answers you need.
- Create personalised cocktail menus for all your events, bars or parties
- Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
- Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
- Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
- A personalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
- And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)
Have you tried our Wordpress Plugin?
Download our plugin and embed cocktail recipes directly onto your own site or blog.
Choose from our whole recipe database, or choose a specific cocktail made with a certain ingredient, and let us place a beautiful recipe on your own site.
Find out moreYou might also like
Enjoy this sophisticated take on the classic Paloma.
Smoked Chamomile Paloma
Hornitos Plata, Mezcal, Grapefruit juice, Lemon juice, Honey syrup, Grapefruit soda
Discover this sophisticated blend of sweet and smoky flavors.
Fumata Bianca
Mezcal, Suze, White vermouth, Soda water
Experience this tantalizing balance of sweet and smoky
Naked & Famous
Mezcal, Aperol, Yellow Chartreuse, Lime juice
Dive into this complex mix of pear and Mezcal.
Smoked Pear
Gin, Mezcal, Raspberry liqueur, Pear liqueur, Lillet Blanc
Create a cocktail
Choose a theme and some ingredients, give us some description and we'll create an amazing cocktail for you.
Register as a Premium Make Me a Cocktail community member and get access to an even more powerful creator.
Start creatingBuild your bar
Tell us what you have at home and we’ll find a delicious cocktail for you to make right now.
Register as a Make Me a Cocktail community member and we’ll save your ingredients list so you can come back to it at any time.
Create My Bar
Cocktail Colin
Your cocktail expert
Hi! I'm Cocktail Colin
Ask me anything about this cocktail - how to make it, substitutions, variations, or any other questions!
Become a member to access Cocktail Colin
Become a member (for free) to pick Cocktail Colin's cocktail filled brain on everything on this cocktail, from substitutions, if you can use what you have, to serving suggestions and more.
Become a member
Comments