Fall in Oaxaca is a season unlike any other. As the rains give way to crisp evenings, the valleys fill with golden light, and the air becomes scented with wood smoke, roasted corn, and marigolds. Autumn carries a rhythm of its own here. It’s a season of harvest, gathering, and remembrance.
The most profound celebration of the season is Día de los Muertos — Day of the Dead — when families honor ancestors with offerings of food, flowers, and mezcal. Streets burst alive with music, papel picado, and candlelit altars, yet underneath the revelry is a spirit of connection: to the land, to tradition, and to those who came before. In Oaxaca, Fall is not simply a time of year. It is a bridge between past and present.
At the heart of these traditions lies mezcal, the ancient spirit distilled from agave. More than a drink, mezcal is a reflection of place. Each bottle carries the soil, the sun, and the centuries-old wisdom of the mezcaleros who craft it. Wahaka Mezcal, created in San Dionisio Ocotepec, is one of the purest expressions of this heritage.
Fifth-generation producers of Wahaka Mezcal still follow time-honored practices: roasting agave in earthen pits, crushing it with a stone tahona, fermenting in wooden vats, and distilling in copper stills. The result is a spirit that is earthy, smoky, floral, and deeply Oaxacan. In every sip, there is a story of family, land, and ritual.
In Fall, mezcal becomes a thread that ties it all together. It is poured onto altars to invite the spirits of loved ones home. It is shared among friends during candlelit vigils and parades. And it is savored as a way to honor the fleeting beauty of life itself.
For those of us in Austin and beyond, Wahaka Mezcal offers a way to taste the essence of Oaxaca’s autumn. Each pour is a reflection of the season’s spirit—warm, grounding, and timeless.
A Fall-Inspired Mezcal Cocktail: The Oaxacan Autumn
To bring Oaxaca’s fall flavors into your glass, try this seasonal cocktail. Smoky, crisp, and spiced, the Oaxacan Autumn cocktail embodies the warmth of Oaxaca’s fall season—an invitation to celebrate tradition, connection, and the spirit of life itself.
Learn more about the Spirit of Oaxaca and Wahaka Mezcal at wahakamezcal.com
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Wahaka Mezcal Joven
- 1 oz fresh apple cider
- ½ oz fresh lime juice
- ½ oz cinnamon syrup (or simple syrup with a pinch of cinnamon)
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
Instructions:
- Shake all ingredients with ice.
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
• 3. Garnish with an apple slice and cinnamon stick.
