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
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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Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Flame the orange peel for aromatics
Use quality mezcal for the best smoke
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.
Mezcal Old Fashioned
Smoky old fashioned—mezcal stirred with agave nectar and bitters over a large cube.
Spicy Oaxaca Old Fashioned
A masterful evolution of Phil Ward's Oaxaca Old Fashioned, introducing calculated heat that elevates the cocktail's smoky, agave-forward soul with a thrilling complex spice.
Mezcal Tommy's
A modern classic that elevates its parent cocktail, the Tommy's Margarita, into a more complex and contemplative experience by substituting mezcal for tequila.