Cocktail lovers like mezcal cocktails for their smokey flavour and unique taste palate. This unique taste comes from an ingredient “Agave heart”, a type of succulent. Roasted agave hearts give the cocktail a unique and complex flavouring that shakes the taste buds and provides cocktail lovers with a new world to experience.
Today our article is about some of the best smoky mezcal cocktails that you must try.
Mezcal Cocktails And The Smoky Flavour
Mezcal is made from different Agave species. Every type of species gives mezcal a variant taste and makes Mezcal cocktails more interesting. You may get confused that tequila is also made with Agave so tequila and mazcal have the same taste profiles. Well, tequila is made particularly from blue agave whereas, Mezcal is a distilled beverage made from any type of Agave including blue one.
Now what sets Mezcal apart from other spirits and beverages is its unique smoky flavour. Heart Of Agave, known as PINA is roasted in underground pits and this gives Mezcal cocktail its unique smokey flavour.
Some Of The Best Smoky Mezcal Cocktails
Here are some of the best smoky Mezcal cocktails that you must try
Mezcal Margarita
Also known as Mezcalita, Mezcal margarita is a fun drink to try. The smoky twist in a traditional margarita and balanced earthy flavours make this drink worth trying. The earthiness is balanced by citrusy lime and sweet orange liqueur.
Mezcal Margrita Recipe includes
- 2 oz Mezcal
- 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
- 1 oz Cointreau or Triple Sec
- Salt for rimming the glass
- Lime wheel for garnish
In a cocktail shaker, mix Mezcal, lime juice and Cointreau with ice and shake well. Rim a rock glass with salt and fill it with ice. Pour the drink into the glass and garnish with a lime slice.
Oaxacan Old Fashioned
This wonderfully balanced smoky and sweet drink is also worth your attention because of its unique flavour. It is a complex-flavoured drink and when served on ice, every balanced sip of smoky depth of mezcal and smooth reposado tequila is worth enjoying.
The Recipe for Oaxacan old fashioned includes
- 1.5 oz Mezcal
- 0.5 oz Reposado Tequila
- 1 tsp Agave Nectar
- 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
- Orange twist for garnish
In a mixing glass, combine mezcal, tequila, agave nectar, and bitters with ice. Stir well and strain into a rock glass filled with ice. Garnish with an orange twist.
Mezcal Negroni
Negroni is a very famous cocktail that uses Gin as an ingredient. However, this gin can be substituted with various other flavours of Gins and drinks. When substituted with Mezcal, it makes Mezcal Negroni. The whole point in Negroni is keeping the balance of bitter-sweet. Mezcal adds an extra layer of smoky without ruining that balance.
Recipe Of Mezcal Negroni includes
- 1 oz Mezcal
- 1 oz Sweet Vermouth
- 1 oz Campari
- Orange twist for garnish
Combine mezcal, sweet vermouth, and Campari with ice. Stir well and strain into a rock glass filled with ice and garnish with an orange twist.
Smoky Paloma
Smoky Paloma is famous for its sweet and citrusy flavour. The drink is best for summer cocktail parties and combines the smoky flavour of Mezcal with a citrusy twist of lime and the tarty flavour of grapefruit.
Smoky Paloma ingredients include
- 2 oz Mezcal
- 2 oz Fresh Grapefruit Juice
- 0.5 oz Fresh Lime Juice
- 0.5 oz Simple Syrup
- Club Soda
- Grapefruit wedge for garnish
Combine mezcal, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and simple syrup with ice in a shaker. Shake well and strain into a highball glass filled with ice. Add club soda. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge.
Mezcal Mule
Moscow mule is a very loved and famous cocktail worldwide. When you substitute vodka with mezcal, you get Mezcal mule. The complex flavouring with an added smoky layer gives this drink a unique yet refreshing twist.
Mezcal Mule ingredients include
- 2 oz Mezcal
- 0.5 oz Fresh Lime Juice
- Ginger Beer
- Lime wedge and mint sprig for garnish
In a copper mug combine mezcal and lime juice with ice. Top with ginger beer. Stir gently and garnish with a lime wedge and mint sprig.
Mezcal Sour
In a classic whiskey sour, substituting Mezcal with Whiskey makes Mezcal sour. The smoky flavour of mezcal added with the creamy texture of egg white, gives this drink a beautiful layer of flavours that every cocktail enthusiast will love to enjoy.
Mezcal sour ingredients include
- 2 oz Mezcal
- 0.75 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- 0.75 oz Simple Syrup
- 1 Egg White (optional)
- Angostura Bitters for garnish
In a shaker, combine mezcal, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white (if using) without ice. Shake well. Add ice, shake again and strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with a few drops of Angostura bitters.
Tips To Make Perfect Smoky Mezcal Cocktails
Choose the Right Mezcal
Different Mezcals have variant taste palates and they can alter the flavour of your drink significantly. So it’s important what type of Mezcal are you choosing for your drink. Here are some of the Mezcal drinks that can help you choose your flavour profile.
- A commonly used agave for mezcal production is Espadin Mezcal. It’s versatile and works well in most cocktails.
- Tobalá Mezcal is Known for its rich, floral, and herbaceous notes and can add complexity to your cocktails.
- With its bold and intense flavours, Arroqueño Mezcal is perfect for cocktails that need a robust smoky presence.
- Pechuga Mezcal is distilled with fruits, nuts, and sometimes meat. It offers a unique and complex flavour profile ideal for experimental Mezcal cocktails.
Balancing The Flavours Of Mezcal Cocktails
cocktails are all about balanced flavours. How you choose to play the flavour maths, makes your drink yay or nay! Mezcal’s smoky flavour must complement the drink and add to its overall appeal. Overpowering or hijacking the actual palate is not a goal here. With these tips, you can learn to balance and adjust the flavours nicely.
- Smokiness must not overpower the drink. Try to balance out smokiness with sweetness. Use honey or syrups to create that harmony.
- Citrus and acidic juices cut the smokiness and enhance the flavour of the drink. Create a balance between acidity and smokiness to perfect your drink.
- Play with bitters and herbal liqueurs to add depth to your drinks.
Presentation Matters
The first impression of your cocktail is its aesthetic appeal and how nicely you present your cocktail adds to its overall value. Always use appropriate glassware for different types of drinks. If you are making Paloma Mezcal, present it in a highball glass, or use rock glass for old-fashioned and a couple-glass for Mezcal Sour. Also use fresh garnishes like herbs, fruits and flowers to add to the aesthetic appeal of your Mezcal cocktail.
Mezcal Cocktails are served on ice so make sure you put large and clear icecubes that melt away slowly, keeping the drink cold and yummy. You can also use seasonal ingredients as your garnishes for a Mezcal cocktail. To enhance the smokiness, you can use smoked salt and smoked spices in your drink.
You can also get playful with Mezcal recipes and dare to make Mezcal hot chocolate or Mezcal Expresso martini.
