Oaxaca Old Fashioned
The Old Fashioned is about as classic as you can get when it comes to cocktails. Bourbon, sugar, bitters, and an orange peel and you’re good to go. For a while, it was my go-to drink. At some point, the Negroni won me over but that’s a story for another day. Today I want to tell you about the Oaxaca Old Fashioned, which is an amazing spin on the classic, calling for reposado tequila and mezcal.
I have only recently gotten into mezcal. In the past, I’ve been a little put off by its smokiness when I’ve ordered cocktails in bars. Lately, as I’ve been experimenting with it, I’ve grown to appreciate the complexity mezcal brings to some of my old favorites like a margarita or a paloma. This came up in conversation with friends recently and one of them told me I had to try a Oaxaca Old Fashioned.
The Oaxaca Old Fashioned was created by New York bartender, Phil Ward. When I read the recipe, I wasn’t sure how I’d feel sipping on straight tequila and mezcal despite its small amount of agave nectar as a sweetener. Turns out, it’s absolutely delicious. This is a great drink if you’re wanting a slow sipping beverage rather than something that goes down quickly. It’s a little lighter than a bourbon old fashioned which is nice for a summer evening. Also, you get to flame an orange peel which is a super exciting way to kick off cocktail hour! By flaming the orange peel, you release citrus oils over the drink which you really can taste. For my cocktail, I used El Tesoro reposado which is very smooth. I used Sacrificio mezcal which wasn’t overwhelmingly smoky. As I’m still exploring mezcal, please comment if you have suggestions! I actually think I’m ready to embrace more smoke! Cheers!
Oaxaca Old Fashioned
Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz Reposado Tequila, such as El Tesoro
1/2 oz Mezcal
1 tsp Agave Nectar
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
Orange peel, for garnish
Method:
Fill a mixing glass with ice. Add tequila, mezcal, agave nectar, and bitters and stir until well chilled. Strain into an old fashioned glass, preferably with one large cocktail ice cube.
With a lighted match in one hand and the orange peel in the other, twist the orange peel towards the flame of the match until it briefly sparks, releasing oils over the drink. Put out match and drop the peel into the drink.
Recipe created by Phil Ward
