Beelzebub

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (92 ratings)

Serve in a Nick & Nora glass

Ingredients:
1 12 oz Bourbon whiskey
12 oz Del Maguey Vida Clásico Mezcal
12 oz Lucano amaro
12 oz Monin Almond (Orgeat) Syrup
34 oz Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
× 1 1 serving
Read about cocktail measures and measuring

How to make:

  1. Select and pre-chill a Nick & Nora glass.
  2. Prepare garnish of grated nutmeg.
  3. SHAKE all ingredients with ice.
  4. FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.
  5. Garnish with dusting of nutmeg grated over cocktail.

Allergens:

Recipe contains the following allergens:

  • Orgeat (almond) sugar syrup (2:1) - Nuts

Strength & taste guide:

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Strength 7/10
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
Sweet to sour 7/10

Review:

Whoever created this bittersweet drink is clearly in league with Beelzebub himself – it's devilishly good. With rich bourbon, a hint of smoky mezcal, amaro bitterness and lemon freshness balanced by almond syrup. Also, try substituting all or at least half of the amaro with Ferro China to put a bit of iron into this devil.

View readers' comments

Nutrition:

One serving of Beelzebub contains 234 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.6 standard drinks
  • 20.1% alc./vol. (20.1° proof)
  • 22.6 grams of pure alcohol

Difford’s Guide remains free-to-use thanks to the support of the brands in green above. Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

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Chris Brislawn’s Avatar Chris Brislawn
27th September 2023 at 04:29
No Lucano so used Noveis Antico Amaro instead. Lots of red amaro alternatives here. To make things more interesting I replaced the bourbon with Suntory, which posed less competition to the mezcal. Also threw a lemon twist into the shaker and one into the glass to combat the anticipated sweetness. Sweet, but not too sweet. Nutmeg is a nice touch.
Simon Difford’s Avatar Simon Difford
27th September 2023 at 07:38
Sounds delicious, Chris.
G. M. Genovese’s Avatar G. M. Genovese
29th March 2023 at 18:09
Used Evan Williams bonded, Siete Misterios joven, Amaro Lucano, Giffard Orgeat, and Meyer lemon juice. Like Cameron, I thought this was only slightly smoky. The complexity to me is rather subtle. Haven't had much experience with Meyer lemons, but I don't think they're ideal here. (29 Mar 2023, 2:09p)
John CARR’s Avatar John CARR
10th August 2024 at 14:01
Meyer lemons are a cross between oranges and lemons and tend to have a rather bitter, ‘medicinal’ quality to them. Not fresh, clean, zingy lemon. Horses for courses. They make a very good marmalade btw.
Frederic D.’s Avatar Frederic D.
1st December 2022 at 00:25
Very, very good. I made a version to the original specs, with Elijah Craig and subbing Averna for Lucano, then another one with Espolon Anejo instead of the bourbon. Between that tequila's very whiskey-like qualities and its affinity for almond flavor, it worked out very nicely
Cameron Bennett’s Avatar Cameron Bennett
19th November 2022 at 11:09
Unlike the other comments I did use amara Lucano after buying a miniature bottle in Venice and it was a very well balanced, only slightly smoky drink with plenty of complexity.
Carol Smith’s Avatar Carol Smith
17th October 2022 at 23:06
Like another reader, I substituted Averna for the Lucano. This is a caramel-colored drink, definitely not apricot-hued as in the image. Really liked it, will likely swap the orgeat and lemon proportions next time I try it. Nutmeg is a brilliant garnish here.
Avatar

Anonymous

19th September 2020 at 13:10
Fantastic ! Really exciting combination, quite a nice evolution with amaro herbaciousness, bourbon cherryish sweetness and tamed smoke from the mezcal.
Substituted Vecchio Amaro del Capo for Lucano - worked great for me.
Avatar

Anonymous

30th August 2020 at 19:20
Fanatastic Drink. Substituted Averna for Lucano (used Knob Creek and VIDA). Best Whiskey Sour twist I tried so far.