Oaxacan Dead

The Oaxacan Dead is a sophisticated and potent tiki drink that cleverly swaps the traditional rum base of a Zombie for smoky mezcal. This substitution introduces a beautiful earthy and savory dimension that plays exceptionally well with the bright citrus, sweet passion fruit, and warm spice notes. It's a layered, powerful, and surprisingly refreshing cocktail designed for the adventurous palate and lovers of agave spirits.
Oaxacan Dead

Preparation

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Oaxacan Dead is classified as a modern tiki-style cocktail. It is considered a modern classic within the craft cocktail community, praised for its innovative use of a non-traditional tiki spirit. This drink successfully merges the worlds of agave spirits and tropical mixology.

Serving

Serve this potent drink cold over crushed ice in a chilled Double Old Fashioned glass or a small tiki mug. It is a spirit-forward but balanced cocktail, not excessively large in volume.
Serving size
Approximately 150 ml / 5 oz (without ice)
Alcohol content
Estimated 20-25% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Double Old Fashioned
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

Created by bartender Phil Ward at the renowned New York City bar Death & Co, the Oaxacan Dead is a testament to the versatility of agave spirits. It was part of the wave of modern classics that helped elevate mezcal from a niche spirit to a cocktail menu staple in the late 2000s. The name is a direct and playful nod to the Zombie cocktail it is based on and its Oaxacan spirit base.
Origin
Created by Phil Ward at Death & Co, New York City, USA, around the late 2000s.

Oaxacan Dead

The name "Oaxacan Dead" is a clever pun, referencing the cocktail's base spirit, mezcal from Oaxaca, and its inspiration, the classic Zombie cocktail, often associated with the undead.
Original name
Oaxacan Dead

Characteristics overview

The Oaxacan Dead offers a complex flavor profile, balancing the smokiness of mezcal with tropical fruit, bright citrus, and warm spice. Its aroma is invitingly fruity and smoky, leading to a smooth, lingering finish.
Flavor
Smoky, fruity, citrusy, spicy, tropical, complex
Aroma
Smoky agave, passion fruit, lime, cinnamon, mint
Taste balance
Balanced sweet and sour, with a prominent smoky backbone
Aftertaste
Long, smoky, fruity, with a hint of spice
Fizziness
None
Color appearance
Hazy, pale orange, light amber
Texture
Smooth, medium-bodied
Seasonality
Refreshing, summery

Flavor intensity & Experience

This drink is flavor-forward, with a strong balance between fruity sweetness, citrus sourness, and a prominent smoky alcohol character, complemented by a subtle touch of spice.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

The recipe calls for a smoky Joven mezcal as its base, complemented by Velvet Falernum liqueur, passion fruit purée, fresh lime juice, cinnamon syrup, and a dash of Angostura bitters.
  • Mezcal45 ml / 1.5 oz
    A Joven (unaged) mezcal is recommended for its bright, smoky profile.
  • Velvet Falernum15 ml / 0.5 oz
    A sweet liqueur with flavors of lime, almond, and clove. Contains nuts.
  • Passion Fruit Purée22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    Use a high-quality, unsweetened purée if possible.
  • Fresh Lime Juice22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    Always use freshly squeezed juice for the best flavor.
  • Cinnamon Bark Syrup15 ml / 0.5 oz
    A simple syrup (1:1 sugar and water) infused with cinnamon sticks.
  • Angostura Bitters1 dash
    Adds depth and aromatic spice to the cocktail.

Ice type

  • Crushed or pebble ice for serving, cubed ice for shaking

Mixing equipments

You will need a standard cocktail shaker set for combining and chilling the ingredients, along with a jigger for measuring and two types of strainers for a smooth, ice-free pour.
  • Cocktail shaker
  • Jigger or measuring tool
  • Hawthorne strainer
  • Fine mesh strainer

Instructions

The method is straightforward: shake all ingredients with cubed ice, then double-strain into a glass filled with fresh crushed ice. Finish with a mint sprig garnish.
1. Chill your Double Old Fashioned glass or tiki mug by filling it with ice and water.
2. Add all ingredients (mezcal, falernum, passion fruit purée, lime juice, cinnamon syrup, and bitters) to a cocktail shaker.
3. Fill the shaker with cubed ice.
4. Shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds until the shaker is well-chilled.
5. Discard the chilling ice from the serving glass and fill it with fresh crushed or pebble ice.
6. Double-strain the cocktail from the shaker into the prepared glass to remove ice shards and fruit pulp.
7. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig and an optional lime wheel before serving.

Garnishing

A fresh sprig of mint is the classic garnish, adding a fragrant aroma that complements the drink's flavors. A lime wheel can also be added for extra visual appeal.
  • Mint sprig, slapped to release its aromatic oils and placed in the glass.
  • Lime wheel, placed on the rim or floating in the drink (optional).

Dietary Information

This is an alcoholic beverage that is typically free from caffeine, dairy, and eggs. Velvet Falernum may contain almond extract, so it is not nut-free; however, the drink is otherwise suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✕ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This cocktail has a moderate calorie count, primarily from the alcohol and sugars in the syrups, purée, and liqueur. It contains a significant amount of sugar and carbohydrates per serving.
Calories
Averagely 220-260 kcal / 920-1090 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 20-25 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 18-22 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This cocktail is perfect for summer gatherings, themed tiki parties, or any occasion that calls for a complex and adventurous drink. It is an excellent choice for impressing guests who appreciate well-crafted, spirit-forward cocktails.
  • Summer party
  • Tiki night
  • Adventurous sipping
  • Happy hour

Pairing suggestions

The smoky and fruity notes of the Oaxacan Dead pair wonderfully with spicy and savory foods. It cuts through the richness of BBQ and complements the bright flavors of Mexican and Latin American cuisine like tacos and ceviche. The drink's complexity also stands up well to grilled fruits and vegetables.
  • Spicy tacos (e.g., al pastor)
  • Grilled pineapple
  • Ceviche
  • Smoky BBQ dishes

Oaxacan Dead: A Smoky Tiki Resurrection

The Oaxacan Dead is a masterful modern tiki creation that showcases the smoky complexity of mezcal in a vibrant, tropical setting. It is a potent, balanced, and deeply flavorful drink that cleverly replaces the traditional rum of a Zombie with agave spirit, resulting in a completely unique experience. It is complex enough for seasoned cocktail enthusiasts yet approachable for those new to mezcal. Perfect for tiki lovers and mezcal aficionados alike, this cocktail is a testament to inventive mixology.

Similar cocktails

Zombie

The classic tiki cocktail that inspired the Oaxacan Dead. It uses a complex blend of rums instead of mezcal.

Jungle Bird

Another classic tiki drink featuring a bitter component (Campari) alongside rum and pineapple, offering a different kind of complexity.

You May Also Like

Perfect Martini

A balanced and sophisticated take on the classic Martini, featuring equal parts sweet and dry vermouth for a complex, semi-sweet flavor profile.

Reverse Vesper

A sophisticated, vodka-forward twist on James Bond's classic Vesper Martini, stirred until silky smooth and garnished with a lemon twist.

Tequila Sunrise

A vibrant and sweet cocktail made with tequila, orange juice, and grenadine, famous for its layered sunrise appearance.

Champagne Cocktail

An elegant and festive classic cocktail featuring Champagne, a sugar cube, and aromatic bitters, creating a spectacular stream of bubbles.

Have You Tried These Yet?

Boularderie Cocktail

A sophisticated and autumnal twist on the classic Boulevardier, replacing whiskey with French apple brandy for a fruit-forward yet robustly bitter profile.

Strange Brew

A complex and refreshing tiki-style cocktail that intriguingly combines funky Jamaican rum, bitter Fernet Branca, and a hoppy IPA float.

End of the Road Cocktail

A robust and herbal rye whiskey cocktail featuring Fernet-Branca and Green Chartreuse for a complex, spirit-forward experience.

La Louisiane

A complex and herbaceous rye whiskey cocktail from New Orleans, balanced with sweet vermouth, Bénédictine, and a whisper of absinthe.