Criollo de Oaxaca Maria Liqueur

Criollo de Oaxaca Maria Liqueur is a mole negro–inspired mezcal liqueur crafted in Oaxaca, Mexico: Espadín mezcal infused with raisins, sesame, oregano, cacao, and chamomile — sourced from Oaxaca's Central de Abastos market — then filtered and finished with miel de agave (agave honey). Bottled at 30% ABV (60 proof), 750mL — available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.

The concept comes from Stephen Torres, who set out to bottle the essence of his grandmother María's traditional mole negro recipe — hence "María" — and developed it with Julia Momosé of Kumiko, the acclaimed Chicago bar. "Criollo" refers to the rare Criollo cacao bean (the fine-flavor cacao native to the region), not an agave varietal. The result drinks like liquid mole negro: chocolate, spice, and smoke in one pour — a true agave liqueur, not a tequila or a straight mezcal. (One retailer lists 15% ABV — that appears to be a listing error; brand and majority sources confirm 30%.)

Tasting notes (brand/retailer consensus): roasted cacao, dried fruit, and warm spice on the nose; a velvety smooth palate of dark chocolate, cinnamon, toasted nuts, raisin, and sesame, with a whisper of vanilla and gentle smoke; a long, warming finish with natural agave-honey sweetness and a subtle smoky lift. Rich but not cloying.

Why buy this liqueur? Because it is one of the most original agave spirits on the shelf — a bartender-born, grandmother-inspired liqueur built on real mole-negro ingredients, designed for cocktails that nothing else can make. Browse the Criollo de Oaxaca brand collection, more liqueurs, and other fine spirits.

Serving note: neat or over a large ice cube to open the cacao; built for cocktails — Mezcal Old Fashioned, espresso martini, or a "Mole Negro Martini." Pairs with dark chocolate desserts and mole-braised dishes.

What does Criollo de Oaxaca Maria taste like? A mole-negro-inspired mezcal liqueur — roasted cacao, dark chocolate, cinnamon, toasted sesame, dried fruit, and a whisper of smoke, with agave-honey sweetness.

Is Maria Liqueur a mezcal or a tequila? It's a liqueur made from Espadín mezcal (agave spirits from Oaxaca), bottled at 30% ABV — lower proof than straight mezcal, built for sipping and mixing.

Why is it called "Maria"? Founder Stephen Torres named it for his grandmother María, whose traditional mole negro recipe inspired the flavor profile; he developed it with Julia Momosé of Kumiko in Chicago.