The Oaxaca Old Fashioned helped kick off the mezcal craze in the United States. Created in 2007 by New York bartender Phil Ward, the Oaxaca Old Fashioned introduced countless drinkers to the earthy spirit, which was unfamiliar to most consumers at the time. Ward first made the cocktail at Death & Co., the pioneering East Village bar, before placing it on the menu at Mayahuel, the dearly departed bar that he opened down the street.
A Smoky Spicy Margarita is a cocktail that adds a smoky and spicy twist to the classic margarita. It typically involves using mezcal instead of tequila, muddling in jalapeƱos for heat, and rimming the glass with a spicy salt mixture like chili powder and cayenne pepper.
The Division Bell cocktail is a modern classic that combines the smoky flavors of mezcal with the bitter-sweetness of Aperol and the cherry notes of Maraschino liqueur.