Oaxaca Old Fashioned

Name: Oaxaca Old Fashioned (Non‑Alcoholic)
Ingredients: 2 oz The Spirit of Tequila; ¼ oz agave nectar; 2 dashes aromatic bitters; Flamed orange twist

The Oaxaca Old Fashioned takes the familiar Old Fashioned structure and gives it an agave-driven identity. Spirit, sweetener, bitters, and a flamed orange twist. Simple on paper, with plenty happening in the glass.

Our non-alcoholic version puts The Spirit of Tequila at the center, with its lightly smoky character bringing a subtle nod to the mezcal in the original. Agave nectar adds roundness, while aromatic bitters contribute spice and depth. The flamed orange twist finishes the drink with a burst of citrus oils and a faint toasted aroma. Rich, aromatic, and best sipped slowly.

Oaxaca Old Fashioned (Non‑Alcoholic)

The Free Spirits Innovation Lab

Ingredients

2 oz The Spirit of Tequila
¼ oz agave nectar
2 dashes aromatic bitters
Flamed orange twist

Method

Add The Spirit of Tequila, agave nectar, and aromatic bitters to a rocks glass with ice.
Stir until well chilled and incorporated.
Express the oils from an orange peel through a flame over the surface of the drink.
Garnish with the orange twist.

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Why This Works

The Spirit of Tequila provides the foundation, with agave, pepper, and oak notes that suit the restrained Old Fashioned format. Agave nectar reinforces that profile while adding sweetness and texture, and aromatic bitters supply spice and a slightly drying counterpoint.

The flamed orange twist contributes citrus oils directly to the surface of the drink, adding aroma before the first sip. The flame can lend a subtle toasted character, though the orange oils themselves do most of the sensory work.

About Free Spirits

The Spirit of Tequila

The Spirit of Tequila is made with real Blue Agave and modeled on the depth and balance of a Reposado. It shows warm oak and gentle vanilla with a clean pepper heat and subtle smokiness that work naturally in agave-based cocktails. In mixed drinks, it has the presence to hold up to citrus, the structure to balance sweetness, and the clarity to stay defined when combined with stronger flavors.

It performs reliably in Margaritas, Palomas, Ranch Waters, and any build that expects an agave spirit with enough character to stay present.

From Death & Co. to Oaxaca

Phil Ward created the Oaxaca Old Fashioned at New York's Death & Co. in 2007, combining reposado tequila with a smaller measure of mezcal. At a time when mezcal was unfamiliar to many American cocktail drinkers, the familiar Old Fashioned structure offered an accessible way to experience its distinctive character.

The cocktail became a modern classic and helped popularize mezcal in American cocktail bars. Ward went on to open Mayahuel in 2009, a New York bar dedicated to tequila and mezcal. Named for the Mexican state closely associated with mezcal production, the Oaxaca Old Fashioned remains one of the defining cocktails of that era.

Our version uses The Spirit of Tequila as a single base rather than the original tequila-mezcal combination. Its lightly smoky character provides a connection to Ward's original.

Zero-Proof Cocktail Basics

What is a zero-proof cocktail?

A zero-proof cocktail is a fully built drink that follows the same principles as any classic: acid, sweetness, aromatics, dilution, and a defined base spirit. The difference is the base is non-alcoholic. When that spirit has enough structure and character, like the ones we make, you get a cocktail that drinks like a cocktail, not a compromise.

How do non-alcoholic spirits work in classic cocktail recipes?

Non-alcoholic spirits step into the role of the base spirit. They carry citrus, sugar, bitters, and dilution the same way their alcoholic counterparts do. Some recipes need small ratio adjustments, but the technique stays the same: build the drink, balance the elements, and let the base spirit define the profile.

Do zero-proof cocktails taste like the originals?

They taste like cocktails: recognizable, structured, and intentional. The goal isn't imitation; it's integrity. When the build is balanced and the spirit has presence, you get the character of the drink without relying on alcohol to do the work.

Can zero-proof cocktails have real complexity?

Yes. Complexity comes from design, not ethanol. A well-built zero-proof cocktail shows layers: aromatics, texture, finish. The craft sits in the composition, not the ABV. The right non-alcoholic spirit brings the structure; the ingredients do the rest.

What is the difference between zero-proof and low-proof cocktails?

Zero-proof cocktails contain no alcohol. Low-proof cocktails blend traditional spirits with non-alcoholic spirits to dial down the ABV while keeping the drink's identity intact. It's the easiest way to keep the ritual, cut the intensity, and stay in full control of the experience.

Why does Free Spirits work so well in both zero-proof and low-proof cocktails?

The Spirit of Tequila is built with agave-forward aromatics and enough body to hold citrus and sweetness in balance. Whether you use it as the sole base or split it with traditional tequila, it behaves like a true cocktail foundation, keeping the drink bright, structured, and unmistakably itself.