This is a stirred cocktail built on 1.5 oz of joven mezcal and 0.5 oz of reposado tequila, sweetened with agave nectar and finished with mole bitters. It takes about five minutes to make and uses no special equipment beyond a mixing glass and a strainer. If you already drink Old Fashioneds and want to try something with more smoke and depth, this is a straightforward next step.
Shopping notes
- Joven mezcal: Del Maguey Vida is the recipe’s suggested bottle and a reliable choice, but any unaged mezcal labeled “joven” will work. Expect to spend $40–$55. Avoid mezcal labeled “joven” that lists artificial smoke flavoring — check the back label.
- Reposado tequila: Espolòn and Fortaleza are both solid picks. Reposado just means it was aged in oak for at least two months, which rounds out the raw agave edge. Don’t substitute blanco — the oak matters here.
- Agave nectar: Sold near the honey in most grocery stores. Light agave works fine; dark agave is slightly more caramel-forward and also good. Skip “agave syrup” blends that list added sweeteners.
- Mole bitters: Bittermens Xocolatl Mole Bitters are the standard and available online or at most liquor stores with a decent cocktail section. The recipe card already covers the Angostura-plus-cinnamon sub if you can’t find them.
Before you start
The one technique that changes this drink is how you stir it. Stirring for a full 20–25 seconds over ice isn’t just about chilling — it’s also diluting the spirits by roughly 20–25%, which is what makes the drink smooth rather than harsh. Count it out or use a timer the first time. The other thing worth doing before you pour anything: get your rocks glass cold. Stick it in the freezer for 10 minutes while you gather your ingredients. A warm glass heats the drink faster and melts your ice cube before you’re halfway through — skip that step and you’ll notice the difference by the last sip.
If something goes sideways
- The drink tastes too boozy or sharp: You probably under-stirred. Put it back in the mixing glass with fresh ice and stir another 15 seconds. More dilution fixes this more reliably than adding extra sweetener.
- It tastes flat or watery: You over-stirred or your ice was already melting before you started. Use fresh ice straight from the freezer, not ice that’s been sitting in a warm mixing glass.
- The smoke is overwhelming: Your mezcal may be higher-proof or more intensely smoky than the recipe assumes. Nudge the ratio — try 1 oz mezcal and 1 oz reposado tequila instead. You keep the character without the mezcal dominating.
- No large ice cube: Regular cubes work, but they melt faster and dilute the drink more quickly. If you’re using standard ice, drink it a little faster or reduce your stir time to 15 seconds so you’re not starting already over-diluted.
- Bitters clumped or sank: Add the bitters before you stir, not after straining. Once the drink is in the glass, bitters won’t incorporate evenly.
Leftovers and make-ahead
You can batch the spirit-and-sweetener base up to a week ahead — combine the mezcal, reposado tequila, and agave nectar in a small jar and keep it in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, measure out 2.25 oz of the batch per drink, add bitters, and stir over ice as usual. Don’t add the bitters to the batch jar; they’re strong enough that even a day of sitting changes the balance. The orange peel garnish is honestly the one thing you can skip — it adds a faint citrus aroma but doesn’t change the flavor of the drink, and it saves you hunting for a peeler at the end of the night.
Oaxacan Old Fashioned
Equipment
- Mixing glass
- Bar spoon
- Jigger
- Hawthorne strainer
- Rocks glass (double old fashioned)
- Vegetable peeler or paring knife
- Large ice cube mould
Ingredients
For the Cocktail Base
- 1.5 oz joven mezcal such as Del Maguey Vida — smoky yet balanced, 45ml
- 0.5 oz reposado tequila such as Espolòn or Fortaleza for smooth oak-aged depth, 15ml
- 0.25 oz agave nectar preferably organic for a less refined, earthier flavour, 7.5ml
- 2 dashes mole bitters such as Bittermens Xocolatl Mole Bitters — adds Mexican spice and cocoa depth
- 1 large ice standard cubes for the mixing glass, plus 1 large clear ice cube for serving
For Garnish
- 1 twist orange peel to express over the drink and add aromatic oils on the surface
Instructions
- In a mixing glass filled halfway with ice, pour 1.5 oz (45ml) of mezcal, 0.5 oz (15ml) of reposado tequila, and 0.25 oz (7.5ml) of agave nectar.1.5 oz joven mezcal, 0.5 oz reposado tequila, 0.25 oz agave nectar, 1 large ice
- Add 2 dashes of mole bitters. Stir gently but thoroughly for 20-25 seconds until well chilled and diluted — it should feel silky and cold to the touch of the glass.2 dashes mole bitters
- Strain the liquid into a pre-chilled rocks glass over one large clear ice cube — the cold glass slows dilution and keeps the drink balanced through the last sip.1 large ice
- Using a peeler or paring knife, cut a generous orange peel. Express the peel over the drink by pinching it skin-side-down to release the citrus oils, then gently run it around the glass rim and drop it in for garnish.1 twist orange peel
Notes
Nutrition
Your questions, answered
Can I make this with just mezcal and skip the tequila?
Yes, but the drink will be noticeably smokier and less balanced. The reposado tequila’s oak-aged softness is what keeps the mezcal from feeling one-dimensional — without it, you’re essentially drinking a mezcal Old Fashioned, which is fine, just a different drink.
What if I’ve never bought mezcal before — is it worth getting a whole bottle for one cocktail?
A bottle of joven mezcal like Del Maguey Vida runs $40–$55 and makes roughly 17 cocktails at 1.5 oz each, so the per-drink cost is reasonable if you’ll use it again. Mezcal also works well sipped neat or in a Paloma-style drink, so it won’t sit unused.
Do I need a mixing glass, or can I use something else?
Any tall glass or jar that holds at least 2 cups works fine for stirring. The key is that it’s tall enough to stir without splashing and holds enough ice to properly chill the drink.
Is this drink very strong?
It’s a spirit-forward cocktail — two ounces of liquor total — so yes, it’s on the stronger side, similar to a whiskey Old Fashioned. Proper stirring and a large ice cube slow down the dilution so you sip it gradually rather than drinking it quickly.
Can I use honey instead of agave nectar?
You can, but honey has a more assertive flavor that can compete with the mezcal rather than complement it. If honey is all you have, use a light, mild variety and reduce the amount slightly to 0.2 oz so it doesn’t overpower the drink.
Try these next
- Creamy Cinnamon Horchata
- Smoky Oaxacan Chicken Enchiladas with Roasted Chili Sauce
- Espresso Martini
- Silky Dark Chocolate Mousse
