Oaxacan Old Fashioned Recipe
mezcal, tequila anejo, agave, Ancho Reyes, bitters
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Ingredients
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Cocktail
Garnish & Glass
Method
Preparation
Optional salt rim
If you want a lightly savory edge, rub a fresh orange wedge around the outside lip of an old fashioned glass and dip just the outer rim into smoked sea salt or flaky salt so only part of the rim picks up salt. Set glass aside.
Build the cocktail
In a mixing glass or small shaker, add 1 oz mezcal, 1 oz tequila añejo, 0.25 oz agave syrup, 0.25 oz Ancho Reyes, 2 dashes Angostura bitters and 1 dash orange bitters (if using).
Stir and chill
Fill the mixing glass with large ice cubes. Stir gently for 20–30 seconds (about 15–20 turns) until the mixture is well chilled and slightly diluted — this integrates the agave and softens the alcohol edge while keeping clarity.
Prepare glass
Place a single large ice cube in the prepared old fashioned glass (or one large clear ice cube if available).
Strain
Double-strain or fine-strain the chilled cocktail from the mixing glass into the old fashioned glass over the large ice cube, leaving any tiny shards behind for clarity.
Express and garnish
Take the orange peel and hold it over the drink skin-side down about 2–3 inches above the surface. Give the peel a firm squeeze to express the oils across the surface of the cocktail, then run the peel rim around the glass edge and drop it into the drink as a garnish.
Serve
Serve immediately. Sip slowly to enjoy the layered interplay of smoky mezcal, smooth aged tequila, warming chile from Ancho Reyes and the balancing sweetness from agave and bitters.