The News
Tip Top Proper Cocktails announced the release of a canned Oaxaca Old Fashioned, developed with bartender Phil Ward. The drink is part of the brand’s new Tequila & Mezcal Variety Pack and was awarded a Silver Medal at the 2026 Los Angeles Spirits Awards. It was created in collaboration with recipe developer Miles Macquarrie and released on April 21, 2026, in Atlanta, GA.
Tip Top Proper Cocktails has launched a canned Oaxaca Old Fashioned, crafted with bartender Phil Ward and released in a Tequila & Mezcal Variety Pack.
The 74‑proof (37 % ABV) drink sits well above the average RTD of roughly 21 % ABV, signaling a spirit‑forward strategy that can command a higher price point and attract connoisseurs who look beyond typical “party” cocktails.
Only about one in eight U.S. canned cocktails carries kosher certification, so the product’s kosher status adds another layer of differentiation for retailers serving diverse clientele.
The offering is sold only as part of a six‑pack: two cans each of Oaxaca Old Fashioned, Margarita and Naked & Famous.
While Tip Top already distributes in more than 25 states—including major chains such as Total Wine—the Oaxaca Old Fashioned cannot be ordered separately through normal wholesale channels.
Bars and restaurants therefore can’t add the drink to their own menus; instead they may see a halo effect when customers buy the pack, try the other two flavors, and discover new favorites.
The U.S. RTD market was valued at $4.3 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 9.8% through 2030.
Tequila and mezcal cocktails account for 18% of spirit‑based RTD growth in 2025, underscoring the rise of agave spirits and the potential of premium strength as a differentiator.
The 12 % share of kosher‑certified RTDs offers a unique selling point for health‑conscious or religiously observant buyers.
This 37 % ABV is 16 percentage points higher than the category average, reinforcing its premium positioning and justifying an upscale shelf price that could boost pack sales without displacing Tip Top’s core offerings.
Original Press Release
TIP TOP PROPER COCKTAILS DEBUTS OAXACA OLD FASHIONED WITH CREATOR PHIL WARD
Developed with the cocktail’s creator, the modern classic debuts exclusively in Tip Top’s new Tequila & Mezcal Variety Pack
ATLANTA, GA (April 21, 2026) – Tip Top Proper Cocktails has introduced a canned Oaxaca Old Fashioned, developed in collaboration with the drink’s creator, Phil Ward of New York City’s Long Island Bar. Widely regarded as one of the defining cocktails of the modern craft era, the Oaxaca Old Fashioned introduced a generation of drinkers to mezcal. Earning a Silver Medal at the 2026 Los Angeles Spirits Awards ahead of its release, Tip Top’s version faithfully recreates the original recipe structure in the brand’s signature 100ml format, delivering a bartender-quality expression of the spirit-forward modern classic.
To ensure the cocktail translated with integrity, Tip Top’s recipe developer and seven-time James Beard Award nominee Miles Macquarrie (Kimball House) worked closely with Ward to adapt it to the brand’s high-proof, true-to-form canned format. The result captures the balance that made the drink iconic—blending tequila and mezcal with agave nectar and bitters into a smooth, layered Old Fashioned with unmistakable agave character.
“When Tip Top reached out, the first thing I said was, ‘Send me samples,’ because if they weren’t good, I wasn’t going to do it. Once I tasted them, I trusted them to get the formula right,” said Phil Ward.
The Oaxaca Old Fashioned will be available exclusively as part of Tip Top’s new Tequila & Mezcal Variety Pack, which also features two of the brand’s most beloved agave-based cocktails, the Margarita and the Naked & Famous. Together, the trio highlights the range and versatility of agave spirits, moving from bright and citrusy to complex and spirit-forward expressions.
“Tequila and mezcal have a relatively short history in the world of classic cocktails. Beyond the Margarita, most of what people know today has taken shape over the last couple decades,” said Neal Cohen, Co-Founder and Chief Brand Officer of Tip Top Proper Cocktails. “We wanted to bring that evolution into one place, pairing a true classic with modern classics like the Naked & Famous and Oaxaca Old Fashioned. It’s a way to show the full range of what agave cocktails can be.”
INTRODUCING: OAXACA OLD FASHIONED
A defining modern classic cocktail, the Oaxaca Old Fashioned blends tequila and mezcal with agave nectar and bitters to create a smooth, expressive, spirit-forward cocktail.
THE DETAILS:
Tequila—Mezcal—Agave Nectar—Bitters
37% (74 Proof) | OK Kosher Certified
Tasting Notes: Rich and silky, with a smoky impression and notes of oak & agave.
THE TEQUILA & MEZCAL VARIETY PACK
Designed for both discovery and repeat pours, the Tequila & Mezcal Variety Pack brings together three distinct cocktails—two cans each of Margarita, Naked & Famous, and the new Oaxaca Old Fashioned—offering a range of styles from bright and citrusy to bold and spirit-forward. The six-pack format introduces Tip Top’s take on some of the most influential cocktails of the modern era, allowing drinkers to explore tequila and mezcal across multiple classic and modern classic expressions.
Oaxaca Old Fashioned (2 cans)
Tequila—Mezcal—Agave Nectar—Bitters
Margarita (2 cans)
Tequila—Lime—Orange Liqueur
Naked & Famous (2 cans)
Mezcal—Lime—Alpine Liqueur—Aperitivo Bitters
The Tequila & Mezcal Variety Six-Pack is now available in retail stores nationwide where Tip Top is sold and is currently the exclusive way to try Tip Top’s new Oaxaca Old Fashioned. Online orders for shipping to 40+ states can also be placed now via Tip Top’s website.
Sources consulted (web research):
- Tip Top Proper Cocktails Debuts Oaxaca Old Fashioned With Creator Phi…
- Find A Store
- Oaxaca Old Fashioned Recipe 5210400
Source: BevNET