Coffee cocktails don’t have to be creamy or sweet. Sometimes they wake you up with smoke, citrus, and a little fire. The Oaxacan Wake-Up is exactly that—a cocktail that brings together mezcal, lime, spice, and coffee liqueur for a drink that’s as bold as it is balanced.
While the Espresso Martini might be the go-to when people think of coffee cocktails, the Oaxacan Wake-Up shows just how versatile coffee liqueur can be. This isn’t about froth and cream—it’s about smoke, heat, and a roasted backbone that lingers.
Oaxacan Wake-Up Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz Mario’s Hard Espresso (our craft coffee liqueur)
- 1.5 oz premium mezcal
- .5 oz lime juice
- 2 dashes habanero bitters or fire tincture
Directions:
- Shake hard over ice.
- Strain over ice into a Tajín or chili-rimmed glass.
- Add a mint sprig for garnish.
Why the Flavors Work
The Oaxacan Wake-Up is all about contrast:
- Mezcal delivers smoke and earthiness.
- Lime juice brightens the drink with acidity.
- Habanero bitters (or fire tincture) add a controlled kick of heat.
- Coffee liqueur ties it all together with roasted richness.
It’s the kind of drink that hits every taste bud—smoky, tart, spicy, roasted—and leaves you wanting another sip just to unpack it all.
Espresso Martini vs. Oaxacan Wake-Up
Both drinks feature coffee liqueur, but they couldn’t be more different:
The Espresso Martini is creamy, shaken, and elegant—a cocktail that feels like nightlife in a glass.
The Oaxacan Wake-Up is rugged, fiery, and smoky—a drink built for adventurous evenings and lively gatherings.
If the Espresso Martini is your Friday night, the Oaxacan Wake-Up is your Saturday backyard party. Both celebrate the versatility of coffee liqueur, just in wildly different moods.
When to Drink the Oaxacan Wake-Up
This cocktail shines at parties and dinners where mezcal already has a place at the table. Think taco nights, smoky barbecue evenings, or late-night hangs where bold flavors are welcome. It’s also a fantastic holiday cocktail when you want to surprise people with something outside the usual sweet coffee liqueur drinks.
A Bold Side of Coffee Cocktails
The Oaxacan Wake-Up proves that coffee liqueur isn’t confined to dessert-style drinks. While the Espresso Martini may have put coffee cocktails back on the map, the Oaxacan Wake-Up shows just how far you can push the category.
It’s fiery, smoky, and still grounded in espresso. In other words—it’s unforgettable.
