Oaxaca Old Fashioned
The Oaxaca Old Fashioned is a variation on a classic Old Fashioned with a split base of tequila and mezcal. It’s rumored that the cocktail was created as a way to introduce the smoky flavors of mezcal to the American palate.
Read on to learn all the tips and tricks for making this Old Fashioned variation. Or just grab your cocktail shaker, hit that Jump to Recipe button, and let’s make a mezcal and tequila Old Fashioned cocktail!
Ingredients
Tequila is an agave-based spirit from only certain regions of Mexico (like Champagne and Prosecco must come from certain regions). It’s best to use a reposado tequila in this mezcal and tequila Old Fashioned – that’s a tequila aged in oak barrels for two to twelve months
Mezcal is also an agave-based spirit, but it’s from different regions of Mexico than tequila. It is indeed produced in the state of Oaxaca, which is also known for mole.
Agave nectar subs in as the sweetener in place of the sugar cube or sugar syrup in a classic Old Fashioned.
Bitters are the “seasoning” of a cocktail. This mezcal and tequila Old Fashioned really shines with a dash of chocolate or mole bitters and orange bitters.
Please see the recipe card below for complete information on ingredients and quantities.
Recipe tips and tricks
The mezcal and tequila Old Fashioned uses the same cocktail formula as a classic Old Fashioned. That’s two ounces of bourbon or rye whiskey, a sweetener, and a few dashes of bitters served in a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
There’s nothing tricky about making a Oaxaca Old Fashioned with tequila and mezcal. Add your liquors, agave nectar, and bitters to a cocktail shaker and stir with ice. Strain and garnish.
Tip from the wise quacker: The general teaching is that cocktails with citrus juices should be shaken, but cocktails with only alcohols should be stirred.
Related cocktail recipes
Check out other Mexican-inspired cocktail recipes from the Ugly Duckling Bakery archives like:
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-heart 💜💜💜💜💜 rating in the recipe card below. Let me know how much you loved it, or any problems you had, in the comments section further down.
Recipe
Oaxaca Old Fashioned
Ingredients
- 1 ounce mezcal
- 1 ounce tequila reposado preferred
- 1 teaspoon agave nectar
- 1 dash chocolate or mole bitters
- 1 dash orange bitters
- orange twist for garnish
- cocktail cherry for garnish
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Stir until chilled and strain into a lowball glass filled with a large ice cube.1 ounce mezcal, 1 ounce tequila, 1 teaspoon agave nectar, 1 dash chocolate or mole bitters, 1 dash orange bitters
- Garnish with the orange twist and cherry. Enjoy!cocktail cherry, orange twist
Notes
Nutrition
This Mezcal and Tequila Old Fashioned was originally created for the 2024 52 Weeks of Cocktails challenge (week 14: the Old Fashioned).
You’re an adventurous home cook looking for inspiration in your weeknight meals and weekend baking. Get that inspiration here:
Sounds lovely! Will add to list of cocktails to try soon. And great photo!
Thanks, Chas. I hope you love this Old Fashioned as much as I do!