Mezcal, Smoke and Spicy Cherry: The Oaxacan Old Fashioned
The Old Fashioned doesn’t need much to make an impression. Swap the whiskey for mezcal, bring in a little smoke, and finish it with a spicy cherry and candied lemon, and suddenly the classic feels completely different.
This Oaxacan Old Fashioned recipe is especially fitting for fall entertaining, when richer spirits, smoky flavors, and slow-sipping cocktails start to sound a little more appealing. With just mezcal and Collins Smoked Old Fashioned Syrup in the glass, it delivers plenty of depth without turning cocktail hour into a project.
Oaxacan Old Fashioned Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 oz mezcal
- 0.5 oz Collins Smoked Old Fashioned Syrup
- Collins Spicy Amarena Cherries, for garnish
- Collins Candied Lemon Slices in Syrup, for garnish
Add the mezcal and Collins Smoked Old Fashioned Syrup to a mixing glass filled with ice. Stir until well chilled, then strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
Thread a Collins Spicy Amarena Cherry and Collins Candied Lemon Slice onto a cocktail pick and add it to the glass.
That’s it. Two ingredients in the cocktail, one seriously good garnish.
Why Mezcal Works So Well in an Old Fashioned
Traditional Old Fashioneds rely on whiskey, sugar, and bitters for their balance of spirit, sweetness, and aromatic complexity. Mezcal takes the drink in a different direction.
Its earthy, roasted character gives the cocktail a naturally smoky foundation, while Collins Smoked Old Fashioned Syrup adds sweetness and another layer of warm smoke in one easy pour. The result feels layered and full-flavored without requiring a long list of ingredients.
It’s also an easy way to make something that feels special while keeping prep simple, whether you're mixing one drink after dinner or making a round for guests.
The Garnish Makes the Drink
The real finishing touch is the combination of a Collins Spicy Amarena Cherry and Collins Candied Lemon Slice.
The cherry brings rich fruit flavor with a little heat, which plays especially well against mezcal’s smoky character. The candied lemon adds a bright citrus note and a touch of sweetness that balances the deeper, smoky flavors in the glass.
Together, they bring sweet, smoky, spicy, and citrusy flavors into one cocktail while giving the finished drink a colorful, elevated garnish.
An Easy Cocktail for Fall Entertaining
As evenings get cooler and Día de Muertos approaches on November 1 and 2, this is the kind of cocktail that naturally fits the season: bold spirits, deep flavors, and a colorful garnish worth slowing down for.
It also proves that an impressive cocktail doesn’t have to mean pulling out half the bar cart. Collins Smoked Old Fashioned Syrup brings the sweetness and smoky character together in one bottle, while the garnishes add the finishing contrast.
Less prep, fewer ingredients, plenty of flavor.
Keep the Bar Ready for the Next Round
After opening, store your Collins Smoked Old Fashioned Syrup according to the directions on the bottle and keep the cap tightly closed between uses.
Keep the Spicy Amarena Cherries and Candied Lemon Slices covered in their syrup and follow the storage directions on each jar. Keeping the fruit submerged helps preserve its flavor and texture so it’s ready whenever cocktail hour comes around again.
Make the Oaxacan Old Fashioned
Smoky mezcal. A touch of sweetness. Spicy cherry. Candied lemon.
The Oaxacan Old Fashioned is simple enough for a weeknight pour and distinctive enough for fall entertaining. When two ingredients can deliver this much flavor, there’s no reason to overcomplicate it.
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