Easy Mezcal Drink Recipes

Who has not heard of the famous maguey worm at the bottom of the mezcal bottle? Mezcal is a spirit drink of ancestral Mexican tradition. It is especially important in the states of Oxaca and Tamapulla, although it is already considered a universal liqueur, thanks to its quality that places it among the best liqueurs in the world.

Although mezcal purists consider that this drink should be drunk neat, many mixologists argue that it works better with a company, since depending on the type of mezcal, certain ingredients balance its flavor and also improve its aroma. For this reason, products such as fruits, worm salt and spices are used to create incredible cocktails with mezcal.

Shot of mezcal

Surely when you hear the word shot, you already think of a good shot of tequila. But not only tequila is drunk like this, also mezcal. If you want to try pure mezcal, as it is traditionally drunk, this is the best way to enjoy it without running out of breath.

Ingredients

• 58 ml of mezcal
• 2 lime wedges (or sour orange wedges)
• 1 tsp. salt (preferably worm salt)
• 1 shot of mezcal

Elaboration

1. Prepare the shot glass. Rub a lime wedge over the edge and add salt where you rubbed the lemon.
2. Add the mezcal in the glass (only 29 ml).
3. Garnish with a slice of lemon.
4. Makes 2 drinks (2 people).

Tip: Mezcal contains a minimum of 55% alcohol.

Mojito with mezcal

The classic mojito originates from Cuba and contains rum, lemon, mint or eucalyptus, and mineral water. In this version, the rum is swapped for mezcal, agave syrup is added, and mint leaves are used. This combination of flavors gives such an enjoyable result that many Mexican places put this cocktail on the menu.

Ingredients

• 3 ice cubes
• 45 ml white mezcal (preferably agave spading)
• 30 ml of agave honey
• 6 mint leaves (well washed and disinfected)
• 120 ml of mineral water
• 15 ml lemon juice
• Old fashion glass or the one of your preference
• Cocktail spoon or normal
• Muddler for cocktails

Elaboration

1. Place the mint leaves, lemon juice and agave honey in the glass.
2. Crush the leaves until they are ground and you smell the mint. Use the pestle for this step.
3. Pour the mezcal and stir the preparation. Use the spoon.
4. Add the mineral water to fill the glass.
5. If you feel like it, decorate with a sprig of mint.

Makes 1 drink.

Tip: The best sweetener for mezcal is agave syrup.

Jamaican Mezcalini

The Jamaican flower or chalice is very popular in Mexico and also in other parts of the world for its taste and healing qualities. Its flavor is sour, very similar to blueberries, which is why it is usually sweetened in infusions. In mixology it is widely used in cocktails, in the form of syrup or concentrated infusion, and it goes great with mezcal!

Ingredients

• Juice of 1 lemon
• 30 ml of Jamaican concentrate
• 30 ml of mezcal
• 6 ice cubes
• 2 lemon sliced
• 1 lemon to frost
• worm salt
• Chile piquín to taste

Elaboration

1. Frost a cup or glass. Moisten the edge with the lemon slice, so you can add the piquín pepper and the worm salt. Booking.
2. Pour the natural lemon juice, the Jamaican concentrate and the mezcal into the shaker. Shake and let sit for 3 minutes.
3. Once the time is up, add ice and shake hard.
4. Pour the preparation into the glass or cup. Serve decorated with the lemon slice.

Surrender for two 1 person.

Tip: You can prepare the ice cubes separately with Jamaica water.

Poblanito

The name of this cocktail with mezcal is inspired by Puebla, one of the most populous states in Mexico and the historical scene of important pre-Hispanic cultures (Mexican, Toltec, Olmec, Totonac, Nahua, Mixtec, Zapotec, Otomi, among others). This drink contains chile liqueur, which gives it that traditional spicy touch of Mexican cuisine.

Ingredients

• 60ml pineapple juice
• 15 ml of espadin mezcal
• 60 ml rosemary syrup
• 60 ml ancho chile liqueur

Elaboration

1. Add in the cocktail shaker: pineapple juice, rosemary syrup and liquor.
2. Shake for 20 seconds and then serve.
3. Garnish with an ancho chile and a sprig of rosemary.

Makes 1 drink.

Tip: There are special measuring glasses for cocktails.

Strawberry and smoke

The strawberry and smoke is one of those cocktails with mezcal that is very popular among Mexican and international bartenders. It is called strawberry and smoke. Its sweet flavor, with fruit tones and its spicy touch are part of its great success, another irresistible mezcal drink!

Ingredients

• 4 strawberries
• 1 tablespoon of sugar
• 60 ml of mezcal
• 30 ml cherry liqueur
• 100ml lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 lime wedges (or sour orange wedges)

Elaboration

1. Prepare the glass or glass. Rub a lime wedge over the edge. Add the chili powder to the edge and set aside.
2. Put the strawberries and sugar in the shaker.
3. Then, add the ice, mezcal, cherry liqueur, lemon juice and shake.
4. Strain the contents of the shaker and serve it in the reserved glass.
5. Garnish with a lemon wedge (optional).

Yield for 1 person.

Tip: Always add the ingredients in the order listed.

Fog

This cocktail is distinguished by its aromatic characteristics, endowed with fruity tones: sweet and citrus. Its appearance and aroma anticipate its flavor and texture, which is also influenced by the type of mezcal liqueur you choose, whether it is more acidic, sweet or bitter.

Ingredients

• 30 ml of mezcal
• 30ml cranberry juice
• 30 ml lemon soda
• 1 strawberry to decorate
• Ice

Elaboration

1. Mix the mezcal and cranberry juice in a small glass.
2. Fill the rest of the glass with lemon soda and mix.
3. Decorate with strawberries to taste.

Makes 1 drink.

Tip: A good cocktail has good quality ingredients.

Mezcal Stalk

Another famous in the world of mixology: Stalk mezcal. You can prepare it in meetings and parties, since it will leave you very well on any occasion. It is distinguished by its tropical touch, courtesy of the pineapple, and its sweet flavor, thanks to the agave. These flavors can accentuate, mitigate or balance the taste of the mezcal.

Ingredients

• 74 ml of yellow lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons of agave honey
• 74ml pineapple juice
• 15 ml of espadin mezcal

Elaboration

1. Choose your favorite glass and rim it with salt or chili (if it is salt, it is preferable that it is worm salt).
2. Add all the ingredients into the cocktail shaker and shake.
3. Serve the cocktail, garnished with a slice of pineapple or a sprig of mint.

Yield for 1 person.

Desert troll

This drink combines very aromatic spices and a high quality mezcal. In addition, it has a citrus and herbal touch that give a distinctive style to this cocktail. It is interesting to mention that there are two main agave species: spading and madrecuixe. From the espadín agave derives some of the best mezcals that exist: espadín mezcal, which is used in this cocktail and many others.

Ingredients

• 5 red epazote leaves
• 74 ml of green lemon
• 60 ml homemade cinnamon syrup
• 1 pinch tincture of caraway and cumin
• 15 ml of espadin mezcal

Elaboration

1. Crush the red apazote leaves in a mortar or in a glass.
2. Add all the ingredients into the cocktail shaker, shake well.
3. Serve in a cup or glass. Decorate the drink as you like.

Makes 1 drink.

Cold dove with mezcal

A very popular drink in Mexican bars dedicated to cocktails with mezcal and other traditional liquors is the cold Paloma de mezcal. This drink is a version of the traditional Margarita cocktail, also of Mexican origin. This proposal is refreshing, but strong, and is derived from the combination of the smoky flavor of the mezcal and the sourness of the grapefruit.

Ingredients

• 150 ml of mezcal
• 150ml grapefruit juice
• 60ml lemon juice
• 2 pinches of hot sauce
• 2 tablespoons of agave
• 6 cups of ice cubes
• 1 green lemon (the juice)

Elaboration

1. Pour the mezcal, grapefruit juice, lemon juice, Tabasco sauce, agave honey and ice cubes into the blender. Do it in the order listed and close the lid.
2. Blend starting with a low speed. Gradually, increase the speed until you reach the top. Once there, keep blending for another 25 seconds.
3. Serve in a large glass or classic glass and decorate with lime wedges.

Yield for 1 person.

Mezcal and watermelon margarita

Another version of the margarita cocktail, a very refreshing and colorful mezcal drink. Once again, mezcal replaces its countryman, tequila, to offer us a cocktail with personality: the tropical touch of watermelon juice and the company of the very Mexican jalapeño pepper.

Ingredients

• 4 thinly sliced ​​jalapeno peppers (seeded)
• 2 cups of watermelon chunks
• 1 ice
• 1 ½ cup soda water
• ½ cup of mezcal
• 2 lemons (the juice of one and the other to decorate)

Elaboration

1. Blend the watermelon pieces. Do it until it is a juice.
2. Strain the watermelon juice. Pour part of the liquid into a cooler and reserve the other part for drinks. Wait until the cubes are frozen before continuing.
3. Place the watermelon ice cubes in two glasses.
4. Pour in ¾ of the reserved watermelon juice and add the lemon juice.
5. Place two jalapeño slices in each glass.
6. Add the soda water and finish with the mezcal.
7. Serve with lemon wedges.