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Guess who really enjoys a classic Old Fashioned? Yep! You guessed it. Moi! Lately I have been obsessed with really good Old Fashioned cocktails, especially with smoky notes.

One of my favorite cocktails is called, The Ron Burgundy and was served in a restaurant in Minneapolis.

Normally, I’m not a scotch drinker, but that cocktail is a combination of bourbon and scotch topped with a big puff of cherry tobacco smoke and poured over a magnificent ice cube and served with cherries. It’s smoky yet sweet.

The smell of it took me back to being a little girl and snuggling next to my Nino Gene (my late godfather). He used to smoke a pipe and read the Sunday newspaper and I would sit right next to him on the couch. When he was done reading the comics he’d pass them to me to read. Every time I smell a pipe I am reminded of his calming demeanor and his sweet and smoky scent. That cocktail brought back so many happy feelings and memories.

That cocktail was beyond unforgettable and ever since then I have been trying to recreate the perfect flavors.

This cocktail is spiced up with a combination of bourbon and smoky mezcal and garnished with a charred (and still smoking) cinnamon stick. This boozy, spirit-forward cocktail is the perfect introduction to fall.

It’s a simple cocktail, but it’s one that packs a solid punch. Built similarly to an Old Fashioned, it combines mezcal and bourbon together. The mezcal adds a layer of earthiness and smoke, while bourbon helps smooth things out.

Oaxaca Old Fashioned

5 (3 ratings)
Similar to an Old Fashioned, but this cocktail combines mezcal and bourbon together. The mezcal adds a layer of earthiness and smoke, while bourbon helps smooth things out.

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon agave nectar
  • 3 dashes Angostura bitters
  • 1 teaspoon water
  • 1/2 ounce mezcal
  • 1 1/2 ounce bourbon
  • 1 orange twist, 1-inch-wide by 2 inches in length
  • 1 cinnamon stick

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Instructions 

  • Add agave nectar, bitters, and water into a rocks glass, and stir until combined.
  • Fill the glass with large ice cubes, add the mezcal and bourbon, and gently stir to combine the flavors.
  • Twist orange peel over the cocktail. Rub the peel on the rim of the glass for extra flavor. Then drop the peel into the glass as a garnish.
  • Garnish with a charred (and still smoking) cinnamon stick.

Notes

  • For a Christmas-y version, tangerine can be used instead of orange.
  • The cocktail can be sweetened with orange or tangerine simple syrup  instead of agave for a fruitier version.
  • If you're not a fan of mezcal, feel free to use tequila instead. 
Calories: 197kcal, Carbohydrates: 15g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 2mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 50IU, Vitamin C: 16mg, Calcium: 54mg, Iron: 1mg

Photography by Jenna Sparks