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CLASSIC COCKTAIL · 2000–present

Oaxaca Old Fashioned

Also known as Oaxaca Old-Fashioned

A split-base Old Fashioned of reposado tequila and mezcal, sweetened with agave and finished with a flamed orange peel.

2007Modern classicResearched
Abstract illustration of Oaxaca Old Fashioned
Bartender Stories illustration · Classic Cocktail Archive
HISTORY

Phil Ward built the Oaxaca Old Fashioned at Death & Co in 2007 by splitting the base: reposado tequila for body, a smaller measure of mezcal for smoke, agave nectar in place of sugar, and Angostura plus a little mole bitters for depth. Flaming the orange peel over the glass is part of the serve rather than a flourish — the burnt oil lands on the surface and sits in the first sip. It became the template for a whole family of agave Old Fashioneds.

SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS
  • Split agave Old Fashioneds — sometimes with a barspoon of mole or chocolate bitters — became common on modern menus after 2010.
VARIATIONS & RELATIVES
  • Oaxaca Old Fashioned with chocolate bitters
  • Mezcal Old Fashioned (mezcal only)
ANECDOTES

“The name refers to Oaxaca’s mezcal tradition, not to a bar in Oaxaca.”

THE RECIPESmoky, rounded and bittersweet

Ingredients

  • Reposado tequila45 ml
  • Mezcal15 ml
  • Agave nectar7.5 ml
  • Angostura bitters2 dashes
  • Mole bitters1 dash
  • Orange peelflamed, to garnish

Method

Stir the liquids with ice, strain over a large cube in a rocks glass, express a flamed orange peel over the surface and rest it on the rim.

Rocks glass · one large cube · flamed orange peel

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