Name: Velasco and Sand
Total time: 4 min
Cuisine: Cocktail
Ingredients: 30 ml Mezcal; 22.5 ml Cherry brandy; 22.5 ml Rosso/sweet vermouth; 30 ml Orange juice

Velasco and Sand
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Serve in a Coupe glass

Ingredients:
1 oz	Del Maguey Vida Clásico Mezcal
³⁄₄ oz	Heering Cherry Liqueur
³⁄₄ oz	Strucchi Rosso Vermouth
1 oz	Orange juice (freshly squeezed)

Read about cocktail measures and measuring

How to make:

Select and pre-chill a Coupe glass.
Prepare garnish of orange zest twist.
SHAKE all ingredients with ice.
STRAIN into chilled glass.
EXPRESS orange zest twist over the cocktail and use as garnish.

Allergens:

Recipe contains the following allergens:

Rosso/rouge/sweet vermouth (di Torino) - Sulphur Dioxide/Sulphites

Review:

Mezcal adds a faintly smoky note to this riff on the classic Blood & Sand. The proportion of spirit and orange juice is slightly raised from the usual equal parts formula – the extra nip of mezcal adds an uplifting kick to the drink while more orange adds zippy freshness and lightens what can otherwise be a heavy cocktail.

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AKA: Authentic Blood & Sand, Mezcal Blood & Sand

Variant:

Blood and Sand (Difford's recipe)
Blood and Sand (classic recipe)
Gringo's Blood & Sand
Iron and Sand
Peat, Blood, Sweat & Sand/a>
Bloody Blood & Sand
Perfectly Straight Blood & Sand.
Dutch Blood and Sand
Wood Sap & Sand

History:

Sadly, I can't claim to have created this mezcal-based riff on the classic Blood & Sand – indeed, Adéle Robberstad of Cherry Heering hinted that a "Mezcal Blood & Sand" was a drink that should be on Difford's Guide. However, I felt it needed a fitting name. But why Velasco?

The Battle of Velasco, fought on 26th June 1832, was a prelude to the Texas Revolution and was the first military conflict between Mexico and the settlers in Texas. After two days of battle, the Texans prevailed after the Mexicans, who were running out of ammunition, surrendered. Not only was this a bloody Mexican battle, but the name seemed apt for a Blood & Sand due to Fort Velasco standing in what is now the city of Surfside Beach, approximately 140 meters/150 yards from the Brazos River. The stockade had inner and outer walls with the 1.8 meters/6 feet between the two filled with earth and sand. Sand also featured in this bloody battle as the Texans were forced to dig trenches in the sandy ground to protect themselves from the Mexicans' fire.

More cocktails by Simon Difford

Nutrition:

One serving of Velasco and Sand contains 191 calories

Alcohol content:

1.1 standard drinks
15.13% alc./vol. (15.13° proof)
15.9 grams of pure alcohol

More Nightcap/sipping cocktails

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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Andy Parnell-Hopkinson

29th December 2024 at 20:22

As a Blood and Sand fan (I once had an argument with a Munich barman about them) I have to say; this is the best!

Matt

2nd December 2024 at 04:34

A muddy brown and cloudy - this isn't a good looking cocktail. BUT, it tastes amazing! The interplay of the flavors is much more than the sum of the components - this is a new favorite!

Ruth Harvey

29th September 2024 at 15:45

This has gone straight to into our top 10 cocktails for at home! Thank you.

Calvin Grant

27th September 2024 at 02:26

For me, when made to specs, this is a five plus. This time the Cherry Heering ran out at 15ml. Made up the difference with maraschino liqueur. Same thing happened with the Cocchi Storico. Added 7.5 ml Dolin Dry. Reduced the orange juice to 25ml and added 5ml pomegranite juice. Very nice.

Dave D.

29th October 2023 at 23:28

Very tasty and nice blend of flavors! Yum! We love our Smokey Mexcals!

Johnny Turbo

22nd July 2023 at 18:36

While I do enjoy the occasional visit, this evening I was not expecting, and did not particularly enjoy, being taken by the smokiness of the mezcal with the sweetness, roundness, and herbs of the cherry heering and sweet vermouth, to BBQ-town.

Avery Garnett

7th February 2023 at 18:19

It has a nice smokiness, but it feels like it's lacking a punch.

Morten Carlsbaek

3rd November 2022 at 20:38

Great cocktail. I do find that is does need 22,5 ml cherry brandy liqueur to be balanced, not let.

Kevin Haynes

4th September 2022 at 00:41

This is absolutely delicious! My second mezcal cocktail and I’ve rated both 5+ so I guess I really like mezcal! It started sweet and then the mezcal smokiness came through perfectly. My mom was over when I made it and she loved it as well!