1. Mezcal Margarita
Ingredients
- 2 oz mezcal
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 3/4 oz triple sec or Cointreau
- 1/2 oz agave syrup
- Salt (for rim, optional)
Instructions
- Rim a glass with salt (optional).
- Fill a shaker with ice.
- Add mezcal, lime juice, triple sec, and agave syrup.
- Shake well for 15 seconds.
- Strain into the glass over ice.
History
A smoky twist on the classic Margarita, this version swaps tequila for mezcal, reflecting its rising popularity in modern mixology since the early 2000s.
Tips
Use a joven mezcal for a balanced smokiness. Adjust agave syrup to taste.
2. Oaxaca Old Fashioned
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz mezcal
- 1 oz reposado tequila
- 1 tsp agave nectar
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Orange peel (for garnish)
Instructions
- Fill a mixing glass with ice.
- Add mezcal, tequila, agave nectar, and bitters.
- Stir for 20-30 seconds.
- Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
- Garnish with an orange peel.
History
Created by bartender Phil Ward in 2007 at Death & Co. in New York, this cocktail pays homage to Oaxaca, the heart of mezcal production.
Tips
Express the orange peel oils over the drink for extra aroma.
3. Mezcal Mule
Ingredients
- 2 oz mezcal
- 3/4 oz fresh lime juice
- Ginger beer
- Lime wedge (for garnish)
Instructions
- Fill a copper mug or glass with ice.
- Add mezcal and lime juice.
- Top with ginger beer.
- Stir gently and garnish with a lime wedge.
History
A modern riff on the Moscow Mule, the Mezcal Mule emerged as bartenders experimented with smoky spirits in the 2010s.
Tips
Use a spicy ginger beer to complement the mezcal’s boldness.
4. Naked and Famous
Ingredients
- 3/4 oz mezcal
- 3/4 oz yellow Chartreuse
- 3/4 oz Aperol
- 3/4 oz fresh lime juice
Instructions
- Fill a shaker with ice.
- Add all ingredients.
- Shake well for 15 seconds.
- Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
History
Invented by Joaquín Simó in 2011, this cocktail blends the Last Word and Paper Plane, showcasing mezcal’s versatility.
Tips
Chill the glass for a crisp presentation.
5. Mezcal Paloma
Ingredients
- 2 oz mezcal
- 1 oz fresh grapefruit juice
- 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- Club soda
Instructions
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Add mezcal, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and simple syrup.
- Top with club soda.
- Stir gently.
History
A smoky variation of the tequila-based Paloma, this drink gained traction in the U.S. as mezcal boomed in the 2010s.
Tips
Freshly squeezed grapefruit juice enhances the flavor.
6. Mezcal Negroni
Ingredients
- 1 oz mezcal
- 1 oz Campari
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- Orange twist (for garnish)
Instructions
- Fill a mixing glass with ice.
- Add mezcal, Campari, and sweet vermouth.
- Stir for 20 seconds.
- Strain into a rocks glass over ice.
- Garnish with an orange twist.
History
A bold take on the classic Negroni, this version substitutes gin with mezcal, popularized in craft cocktail bars in the 2010s.
Tips
Use a smoky mezcal to contrast the bitterness of Campari.
7. Smoky Paloma
Ingredients
- 2 oz mezcal
- 1.5 oz fresh grapefruit juice
- 1/2 oz agave syrup
- Club soda
- Chili salt (for rim, optional)
Instructions
- Rim a glass with chili salt (optional).
- Fill with ice.
- Add mezcal, grapefruit juice, and agave syrup.
- Top with club soda and stir.
History
An evolution of the Paloma, this spicier, smokier version emerged in modern Mexican-inspired bars.
Tips
The chili salt adds a fun kick—experiment with spice levels.
8. Division Bell
Ingredients
- 1 oz mezcal
- 3/4 oz Aperol
- 1/2 oz maraschino liqueur
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
Instructions
- Fill a shaker with ice.
- Add all ingredients.
- Shake for 15 seconds.
- Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
History
Created by Phil Ward in 2009, this drink is named after a Pink Floyd album and balances smoky, bitter, and sweet notes.
Tips
Use a high-quality maraschino liqueur for depth.
9. Mezcal Sour
Ingredients
- 2 oz mezcal
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 oz simple syrup
- 1 egg white
- Angostura bitters (for garnish)
Instructions
- Add mezcal, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white to a shaker.
- Dry shake (no ice) for 15 seconds.
- Add ice and shake for 20 seconds.
- Strain into a glass.
- Add a few drops of bitters on top.
History
A modern twist on the whiskey sour, this cocktail highlights mezcal’s smoky profile in the craft cocktail scene.
Tips
Shake hard to get a frothy texture from the egg white.
10. El Diablo
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz mezcal
- 3/4 oz crème de cassis
- 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
- Ginger beer
Instructions
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Add mezcal, crème de cassis, and lime juice.
- Top with ginger beer and stir.
History
Originally a tequila drink from the 1940s, the mezcal version adds a smoky layer to this devilish classic.
Tips
Use a bold ginger beer for a spicy finish.
11. Mezcal Manhattan
Ingredients
- 2 oz mezcal
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Cherry (for garnish)
Instructions
- Fill a mixing glass with ice.
- Add mezcal, sweet vermouth, and bitters.
- Stir for 20 seconds.
- Strain into a chilled glass.
- Garnish with a cherry.
History
A smoky reinterpretation of the whiskey-based Manhattan, this version emerged in the 21st-century cocktail renaissance.
Tips
Choose a robust mezcal to stand up to the vermouth.
12. Smoky Martinez
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz mezcal
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- 1/4 oz maraschino liqueur
- 2 dashes orange bitters
Instructions
- Fill a mixing glass with ice.
- Add all ingredients.
- Stir for 20 seconds.
- Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
History
A mezcal twist on the gin-based Martinez, this drink blends old-world elegance with new-world smoke.
Tips
Use a lighter mezcal to let the maraschino shine.
13. Mezcal Michelada
Ingredients
- 1 oz mezcal
- 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
- 3 dashes hot sauce
- 1 pinch salt
- Mexican lager (e.g., Modelo)
Instructions
- Rim a glass with salt (optional).
- Add mezcal, lime juice, hot sauce, and salt.
- Fill with ice and top with lager.
- Stir gently.
History
A smoky spin on the beer-based Michelada, this drink fuses Mexican traditions with mezcal’s bold character.
Tips
Adjust hot sauce to your spice tolerance.
14. La Luna
Ingredients
- 2 oz mezcal
- 1 oz fresh pineapple juice
- 3/4 oz fresh lime juice
- 1/2 oz agave syrup
Instructions
- Fill a shaker with ice.
- Add all ingredients.
- Shake for 15 seconds.
- Strain into a glass over ice.
History
A tropical-inspired modern creation, La Luna reflects mezcal’s growing use in fruity cocktails.
Tips
Fresh pineapple juice makes a big difference.
15. Mezcal Sunrise
Ingredients
- 2 oz mezcal
- 4 oz fresh orange juice
- 1/2 oz grenadine
Instructions
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Add mezcal and orange juice, then stir.
- Slowly pour grenadine to sink to the bottom.
History
A smoky take on the Tequila Sunrise, this version adds depth to the 1970s classic.
Tips
Use homemade grenadine for a less artificial taste.
