Oaxacan Old Fashioned recipe
Phil Ward's masterpiece — tequila, mezcal, and agave in a smoky Old Fashioned.
Method: Stir ·
Glass: Rocks glass ·
Time: 3 min ·
Difficulty: Intermediate ·
Family: The Old Fashioned Family
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz Reposado Tequila
- 0.5 oz Mezcal
- 1 tsp Agave Syrup
- 2 dashes Mole Bitters
How to make a Oaxacan Old Fashioned
- Add tequila, mezcal, agave syrup, and bitters to a mixing glass with ice.
- Stir for 30 seconds until well-chilled.
- Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
- Flame an orange peel over the drink and drop it in.
Garnish
Flamed orange peel.
Pro tip
The split base is genius — the reposado provides body and sweetness while the mezcal adds just enough smoke without overwhelming. Mole bitters add chocolate-spice complexity. If you can't find them, use Angostura plus a dash of chocolate bitters.
History of the Oaxacan Old Fashioned
Created by Phil Ward at Death & Co in New York City in 2007. It's considered one of the defining cocktails of the modern craft cocktail era and helped establish mezcal as a serious cocktail ingredient in American bars.
Flavour profile
Smoky, Agave, Complex, Warm
Variations
- All-Mezcal Version — Use 2 oz mezcal for maximum smoke
- Ancho Old Fashioned — Add Ancho Reyes for chili-chocolate
- Oaxacan Negroni — Add Campari and sweet vermouth
Practise making the Oaxacan Old Fashioned in the free Virtual Bar game.