To serve a cocktail with pizazz, I’d like to recommend an Oaxaca Old Fashioned. Oaxaca is pronounced “wuh-HAH-kuh,” and I know. It sounds like a city in Wisconsin, but instead it’s a vacation spot in Mexico.
The traditional whiskey is replaced by tequila and mescal (or mezcal). The ratio of mescal to tequila can vary, but I like even parts so I can taste a bit more of the mescal. Other recipes use 1 1/2 ounces of tequila to 1/2 ounce mescal. Not only is this an attention getter because of the pyrotechnics, but it also tastes great.
1 oz. of tequila
1 oz. of mescal
a bar-spoonful of agave nectar
2 dashes of Angostura bitter
Add ingredients to a shaker filled with ice, stir, and then strain into a glass.
Cut An Orange Wheel To Flame
For a great finishing touch, flame an orange zest. Pepe Ruiz is credited with this invention when he created the Flame of Love Martini for Dean Martin in the 80s. Click on Flame of Love Martini for the recipe and more interesting information.
The process ignites volatile oils over the surface of the drink. It adds an extra toasty aroma of orange essence to the drink. It also caramelizes the oil spritz coming from the orange rind.
When done properly it will capture the attention and respect of your guests as a brief burst of flame erupts in front of their eyes. You can either discard the peel or add it to the drink when you are done with the show. To see a YouTube video, click on How To Flame An Orange Zest by Jamie Boudreau.
Worth Noting: Many claim, because good mescal has no additives, it produces less of a hangover. I have found this to be true.