Oaxacan Old Fashioned Cocktail Drink

Oaxacan Old Fashioned

A shot of Gavin Wrigley looking to the camera in a dimly lit room
Written by Gavin Wrigley
Andrea
Tested by
Andrea Ottaiano

In the mood for an exceptional cocktail? Try this Oaxacan Old Fashioned recipe! It’s a delightful drink, brimming with top-notch ingredients and incredibly straightforward to make.

Oaxacan Old Fashioned Recipe

Enjoy winter with this straightforward Oaxacan Old Fashioned recipe! It's a cocktail that combines Mezcal, agave nectar, and Angostura bitters.

Prep time:

1 minute

Mixing time:

1 minute

Servings:

1

Calories:

171 kl

Ingredients

  • 1½ oz Reposado Tequila
  • ½ oz Mezcal
  • 1 tsp agave nectar
  • 2 dashes of Angostura aromatic bitters
  • Ice cubes
  • Orange twist, for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Old Fashioned Glass
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Stirrer or Bar Spoon

Instructions

  • Prep Glass: Fill your Old Fashioned glass with ice cubes to chill.
  • Add Bitters: Dash in a mixing glass 2 dashes of Angostura aromatic bitters.
  • Add Agave Nectar: Add 1 tsp agave nectar to the mix.
  • Add Mezcal: Measure and pour ½ oz Mezcal into the glass.
  • Add Tequila: Pour1½ oz Reposado Tequila.
  • Add Ice: Fill your mixing glass with ice cubes.
  • Stir Gently: Use a bar spoon to stir the ingredients gently until well combined and chilled.
  • Strain: Strain your mixture into your old fashioned glass over fresh ice.
  • Garnish: Twist and drop an orange peel into the glass for garnish.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Reposado Tequila: If you don't have Reposado Tequila, you can use Blanco Tequila or even a good quality rum. The flavor profile will change, but still make a tasty cocktail.
  • Mezcal: If you do not like Mezcal's smoky flavor, substitute it with more tequila or use a smoky Scotch whisky.
  • Agave Nectar: Honey or simple syrup can be used as a substitute for agave nectar if needed.
  • Angostura Bitters: opt for orange or chocolate bitters. You can try as well using both of them for more complexity 

Making a Pitcher of Oaxacan Old Fashioned:

  • Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 12 oz of Reposado Tequila, 4 oz of Mezcal, 8 teaspoons of agave nectar, and 16 dashes of Angostura bitters.
  • Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the tequila, Mezcal, agave nectar, and bitters with ice cubes. Stir well.
  • Serve: Strain the mixture into ice-filled Old Fashioned glasses, garnish with an orange twist, and serve immediately.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • Tequila Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic tequila substitute; these are available and reasonably mimic tequila's flavor.
  • Mezcal Substitute: Opt for a non-alcoholic smoky drink or make a simple syrup infused with smoked tea leaves for that smoky flavor.
  • Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, omit the bitters, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.

Making it Vegan:

This cocktail is already vegan-friendly as it doesn't contain any animal products. However, always check the ingredient labels to confirm they suit vegans. Some brands may use animal products in their production process.

Nutrition Facts

Calories
171
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
0.1
g
0
%
Sodium
 
1
mg
0
%
Carbohydrates
 
9
g
3
%
Fiber
 
0.02
g
0
%
Sugar
 
7
g
8
%
Potassium
 
2
mg
0
%
Protein
 
0.01
g
0
%
Vitamin C
 
2
mg
2
%
Calcium
 
0.1
mg
0
%
Iron
 
0.04
mg
0
%

 

Oaxacan Old Fashioned Cocktail Drink

Oaxacan Old Fashioned Recipe

Gavin Wrigley Written by Gavin Wrigley
Jump to Video
Enjoy winter with this straightforward Oaxacan Old Fashioned recipe! It's a cocktail that combines Mezcal, agave nectar, and Angostura bitters.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 171

Ingredients
 

  • 1½ oz Reposado Tequila
  • ½ oz Mezcal
  • 1 tsp agave nectar
  • 2 dashes of Angostura aromatic bitters
  • Ice cubes
  • Orange twist - for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Old Fashioned Glass
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Stirrer or Bar Spoon

Instructions

  • Prep Glass: Fill your Old Fashioned glass with ice cubes to chill.
  • Add Bitters: Dash in a mixing glass 2 dashes of Angostura aromatic bitters.
  • Add Agave Nectar: Add 1 tsp agave nectar to the mix.
  • Add Mezcal: Measure and pour ½ oz Mezcal into the glass.
  • Add Tequila: Pour1½ oz Reposado Tequila.
  • Add Ice: Fill your mixing glass with ice cubes.
  • Stir Gently: Use a bar spoon to stir the ingredients gently until well combined and chilled.
  • Strain: Strain your mixture into your old fashioned glass over fresh ice.
  • Garnish: Twist and drop an orange peel into the glass for garnish.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Reposado Tequila: If you don't have Reposado Tequila, you can use Blanco Tequila or even a good quality rum. The flavor profile will change, but still make a tasty cocktail.
  • Mezcal: If you do not like Mezcal's smoky flavor, substitute it with more tequila or use a smoky Scotch whisky.
  • Agave Nectar: Honey or simple syrup can be used as a substitute for agave nectar if needed.
  • Angostura Bitters: opt for orange or chocolate bitters. You can try as well using both of them for more complexity 

Making a Pitcher of Oaxacan Old Fashioned:

  • Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 12 oz of Reposado Tequila, 4 oz of Mezcal, 8 teaspoons of agave nectar, and 16 dashes of Angostura bitters.
  • Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the tequila, Mezcal, agave nectar, and bitters with ice cubes. Stir well.
  • Serve: Strain the mixture into ice-filled Old Fashioned glasses, garnish with an orange twist, and serve immediately.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • Tequila Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic tequila substitute; these are available and reasonably mimic tequila's flavor.
  • Mezcal Substitute: Opt for a non-alcoholic smoky drink or make a simple syrup infused with smoked tea leaves for that smoky flavor.
  • Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, omit the bitters, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.

Making it Vegan:

This cocktail is already vegan-friendly as it doesn't contain any animal products. However, always check the ingredient labels to confirm they suit vegans. Some brands may use animal products in their production process.

What is an Oaxacan Old Fashioned?

An Oaxacan Old Fashioned is a tequila-based cocktail made of reposado tequila, Mezcal, agave nectar, and Angostura bitters. It’s relatively easy to make as it follows the traditional preparation method of an Old Fashioned – simply requiring the ingredients to be stirred over ice and strained into a glass. This drink is a variant of the classic Old Fashioned cocktail but with its unique twist by swapping out bourbon for a blend of tequila and smoky Mezcal, giving it its distinctive Mexican flavor profile.

A side shot of an Oaxacan Old Fashioned cocktail in an old fashioned glass on a white coaster placed on a red surface surrounded bya bar spoon, and a jigger

What is an Oaxacan Old Fashioned made of – The ingredients

The following ingredients are necessary for crafting an Oaxacan Old Fashioned:

  • Reposado Tequila: This is the cocktail’s base spirit, providing a smooth and slightly aged flavor.
  • Mezcal: Adds a smoky depth to the drink, enhancing its complexity.
  • Agave Nectar: Sweetens the cocktail, balancing out the strong flavors of the spirits.
  • Angostura Bitters: These bitters add a layer of aromatic complexity and help to bind all the flavors together.
  • Orange Peel: Used as a garnish, it adds a fresh citrus aroma that complements the other ingredients.

Reposado Tequila, Mezcal, agave nectar and Angostura aromatic bitters laid out on a white bar table

How do you make an Oaxacan Old Fashioned?

Discover the joy of making an Oaxacan Old Fashioned with our easy-to-understand steps:

1
<p>Make sure you have a chilled old-fashioned glass, as this will prevent the drink from warming up too quickly once served. </p>

Make sure you have a chilled old-fashioned glass, as this will prevent the drink from warming up too quickly once served.

2
<p>Start by taking a mixing glass and adding a couple of dashes of Angostura bitters to it. The agave nectar will provide a subtle sweetness that balances the intense flavors of the other ingredients.</p>

Start by taking a mixing glass and adding a couple of dashes of Angostura bitters to it. The agave nectar will provide a subtle sweetness that balances the intense flavors of the other ingredients.

3
<p>Next, add a half teaspoon of agave nectar to the glass. The bitters will add depth and complexity to the cocktail, enhancing the overall flavor profile.</p>

Next, add a half teaspoon of agave nectar to the glass. The bitters will add depth and complexity to the cocktail, enhancing the overall flavor profile.

4
<p>Now, it's time to add the spirits. Pour half an ounce of Mezcal. The smoky flavor of the Mezcal will provide a unique twist to the traditional Old Fashioned, giving it a distinctly Oaxacan touch.</p>

Now, it's time to add the spirits. Pour half an ounce of Mezcal. The smoky flavor of the Mezcal will provide a unique twist to the traditional Old Fashioned, giving it a distinctly Oaxacan touch.

5
<p>Follow this with one and a half ounces of reposado tequila into the glass. Reposado tequila, aged in oak barrels for up to a year, will give the cocktail a smooth, rich flavor.</p>

Follow this with one and a half ounces of reposado tequila into the glass. Reposado tequila, aged in oak barrels for up to a year, will give the cocktail a smooth, rich flavor.

6
<p>After adding the spirits, ice up the mixing glass.</p>

After adding the spirits, ice up the mixing glass.

7
<p>Stir the mixture for about 30 seconds. This will ensure that all the ingredients are well combined and the cocktail is appropriately chilled.</p>

Stir the mixture for about 30 seconds. This will ensure that all the ingredients are well combined and the cocktail is appropriately chilled.

8
<p>Fill your serving glass with fresh ice cubes and strain the cocktail into it. Large cubes or ice spheres are ideal, as they melt slowly and will dilute the cocktail slowly.</p>

Fill your serving glass with fresh ice cubes and strain the cocktail into it. Large cubes or ice spheres are ideal, as they melt slowly and will dilute the cocktail slowly.

9
<p>Finally, garnish the cocktail twisting an orange peel over the old fashioned glass.</p>

Finally, garnish the cocktail twisting an orange peel over the old fashioned glass.

10
<p>Then, add the orange twist to the glass. The citrusy aroma of the orange peel will complement the flavors of the cocktail and add a touch of elegance to the presentation.</p>

Then, add the orange twist to the glass. The citrusy aroma of the orange peel will complement the flavors of the cocktail and add a touch of elegance to the presentation.

History and Origin of the Oaxacan Old Fashioned

This cocktail first made its appearance in the bustling city of New York. A talented mixologist named Phil Ward is credited with its creation. He worked at Death & Co., a renowned cocktail bar in the East Village when he introduced this drink to the world in 2007.

Ward’s inspiration for the Oaxacan Old Fashioned came from his love for tequila and Mezcal. He wanted to create a drink highlighting these spirits’ unique flavors. So, he decided to twist the classic Old Fashioned cocktail by replacing bourbon with Mezcal and tequila.

An Oaxacan Old Fashioned cocktail in an old fashioned glass on a beige surface surrounded by Reposado Tequila, Mezcal, agave nectar and Angostura aromatic bitters

See More

Did you make this recipe?

We’d love to see how you crafted our recipes!
Tag us on Instagram at @_drinksworld

FAQ

How many calories does an Oaxacan Old Fashioned contain?
An serving typically contains around 200-220 calories. However, this can vary slightly depending on the specific brands of alcohol used and the size of the pour.
How strong is an Oaxacan Old Fashioned?
The strength of an Oaxacan Old Fashioned can vary based on the specific recipe used, but it's generally quite potent. The cocktail usually has an Alcohol By Volume (ABV) of about 30-35%, translating to a proof of 60-70.
What type of alcohol is used in an Oaxacan Old Fashioned?
An Oaxacan Old Fashioned is made with a combination of Mezcal and tequila. The Mezcal's smoky flavor and the tequila's smoothness create a unique taste profile that sets this cocktail apart.
In what type of glass is an Oaxacan Old Fashioned served?
Traditionally, the drink is served in a short, round tumbler known as an old-fashioned glass or rocks glass.
What does an Oaxacan Old Fashioned taste like?
An Oaxacan Old Fashioned offers a complex flavor profile that's boozy, smoky and sweet. The Mezcal provides a smoky undertone, while the agave nectar adds a touch of sweetness. The addition of Angostura bitters balances these flavors with a hint of bitterness.
What is the ratio of ingredients in an Oaxacan Old Fashioned?
The typical ratio for an Oaxacan Old Fashioned is 1.5 oz Reposado Tequila, 0.5 oz Mezcal, with a small amount (about a teaspoon) of agave nectar and some dashes of Angostura bitters.
How is an Oaxacan Old Fashioned served with ice?
An Oaxacan Old Fashioned is usually stirred with ice and strained in a lowball glass over fresh ice. This helps to serve the drink at the perfect temperature.

Categories

Flavours

Share
Pin
Post
Share
Send
Email

Rate this recipe

I don’t like it

It’s not bad

I like it

I really like it!

I love it!

Comments

Leave a Reply

Select language

The page you are looking at is also available in the following languages:

Recipe Overview

Explore our recipes by the categories below.

By spirit

By type

By flavour

Spirits Overview

Explore our spirits by the categories below.

Types