Words by Simon Difford
Mezcal is often used to add a touch of its distinctive character (often delicately smoky) to cocktails based on other spirits, particularly tequila. However, it's also great as the main spirit base, as many of the cocktails below illustrate.
1. Closing Argument
With: Mezcal, Green Chartreuse liqueur, maraschino liqueur and lime juice.
We say: A mezcal-based Last Word. It works! End of argument.
View the recipe
2. Division Bell
With: Mezcal, bitter aperitivo liqueur, maraschino liqueur and lime juice.
We say: A mezcal-inspired variation of the Last Word with a refreshing, spirit-forward blend of ingredients.
View the recipe
3. Dragon Punch
With: Mezcal, Yellow Chartreuse, lime juice, orgeat syrup, and hot pepper sauce.
We say: An almond, mezcal and herbal liqueur Margarita with a touch of fire-breathing hot pepper sauce.
View the recipe
4 Fire & Brimstone
With: Red jalapeño, mezcal, triple sec, lemon juice, orange bitters and agave syrup.
We say: A refreshing riff on a Mezcal Margarita with enlivening chilli heat.
View the recipe
5. Grasshopper No. 2
With: White crème de menthe, white crème de cacao,
mezcal, fernet menta, absinthe, cream, and green food colour gel.
We say: A mezcal and amaro-influenced riff on the classic Grasshopper.
View the recipe
6. Illegal Margarita
With: Mezcal, Jamaican overproof white rum, falernum liqueur, maraschino liqueur, lime juice, sugar syrup, egg white, Margarita Bitters, and saline solution.
We say: Two massively flavoursome spirits and two very characterful liqueurs combine harmoniously in this delicious sour.
View the recipe
7. Mezcal Dante
With: Fresh basil, mezcal, blanco tequila, Green Chartreuse, kummel, agave syrup and lime juice.
We say: Some of the biggest flavours corralled, tamed and made to play together...
View the recipe
8. Mezcal Margarita
With: Mezcal, triple sec, lime juice, agave syrup, salt and Difford's Margarita Bitters.
We say: A smokin' Margarita.
View the recipe
9. Mezcal Sour
With: Mezcal, lemon juice, orange juice, sugar syrup, egg white, orange bitters, and saline solution.
We say: "Stone" in this mezcal sour refers to the inclusion of a splash of orange juice. It's delicious!
View the recipe
10. Mezcal Stone Sour
With: Mezcal, lemon juice, orange juice, sugar syrup, egg white, orange bitters, and saline solution.
We say: "Stone" in this mezcal sour refers to the inclusion of a splash or orange juice.
View the recipe
11. Mezcalita
With: Mezcal, triple sec liqueur, lime juice, orange juice, agave syrup, and Margarita Bitters.
We say: A Mezcal Margarita with a freshening splash of orange juice to accompany the triple sec orange liqueur that's essential to a proper Margarita.
View the recipe
12. Naked & Famous
With: Mezcal, bitter aperitivo liqueur, Yellow Chartreuse and lime juice.
We say: Mezcal adds earthy, smoky complexity to this bittersweet, citrusy, fresh aperitivo cocktail. Getting naked can help you become famous!
View the recipe
13. Port of Spain (by Dominic Alling)
With: Mezcal, orgeat syrup, lime juice and aromatic bitters.
We say: Named after Trinidad's capital city, the home of Angostura Bitters, this cocktail fittingly calls for a monster half an ounce of bitters.
View the recipe
14. Smokin' Paloma
With: Mezcal, pink grapefruit juice, lime juice, agave syrup, and pink grapefruit soda.
We say: Mezcal adds its distinctive flavours to a classic Paloma.
View the recipe
15. Spicy Smoky Margarita
With: Mezcal, triple sec, chili liqueur, lime juice and agave syrup.
We say: Just as it says on the tin, but delicately smoky and subtly spicy.
View the recipe
16. Sunset Vibes
With: Vodka, grapefruit juice, orange-red aperitivo, tonic water, mezcal.
We say: Appropriately coloured, this delivers a symphony of surprisingly harmonious sips.
View the recipe
17. Tommy's Mezcal Margarita
With: Mezcal, lime juice, agave syrup and Margarita Bitters.
We say: Depending on your mezcal and agave syrup, this can be delicately meaty with cleansing lime juice.
View the recipe
18. Ultima Palabra
With: Mezcal, Green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, pineapple juice and lime juice.
We say: Named after the direct Spanish translation of Last Word, hence the use of mezcal in place of the gin in a classic Last Word cocktail.
View the recipe
19. Velasco & Sand
With: Mezcal, cherry brandy, rosso vermouth and orange juice.
We say: A mezcal-based Blood & Sand. Be sure to try this. It's better than the original.
View the recipe
20. When The Smoke Cleared
With: Mezcal, bitter aperitivo liqueur, ginger syrup, lime juice, pineapple juice and saline solution.
We say: Smoky, tangy and complex with layers of flavour, although happily mezcal dominates.
View the recipe
More Mezcal cocktails
Join the Discussion
... comment(s) for 20 best Mezcal cocktails
You must log in to your account to make a comment.