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Illegal Margarita

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (116)
Illegal Margarita image
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
1 fl oz Del Maguey Vida Clásico Mezcal
1/2 fl oz Overproof white rum (unaged Jamaican/funky)
1/2 fl oz Difford's Falernum liqueur
1/6 fl oz Luxardo Maraschino liqueur
3/4 fl oz Lime juice (freshly squeezed)
1/3 fl oz Sugar syrup 'rich' (2 sugar to 1 water) 65.0°Brix
1/3 fl oz Egg white (pasteurised) or Fee Brothers Fee Foam cocktail foamer
3 drop Difford's Margarita Bitters
2 drop Saline solution (20g sea salt to 80g water) or merest pinch of s

Read about cocktail measures and measuring

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How to make

Glassware

Serve in a Coupe glass

Prepare

  1. Select and pre-chill a COUPE GLASS.
  2. Prepare garnish of lime zest twist and dehydrated lime slice wheel.

Method

  1. SHAKE all ingredients with ice and strain back into shaker.
  2. DRY SHAKE (without ice).
  3. FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.

Garnish

  1. Express lime zest twist over cocktail and discard.
  2. Garnish with dehydrated lime wheel.

Flavour Profile

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
More cocktails with similar strength and taste profile

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition:

One serving of Illegal Margarita contains 195 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.5 standard drinks
  • 18.02% alc./vol. (36.04° proof)
  • 20.8 grams of pure alcohol

Allergens:

Recipe contains the following allergens:

  • Egg white (pasteurised) — Eggs

Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

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History

The origin of this cocktail is unknown but as far as I know, it has no connection with the similarly named mezcal brand spelt with just the one 'l'. Its popularity is such that it appears as a "New era drink" on the 2020 IBA Official Cocktail List (spelt with a double 'l').

Review

Two massively flavoursome spirits and two very characterful liqueurs combine harmoniously in this delicious sour.

Variations/similar cocktails

Served on-the-rocks in a clay or terracotta mug.

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$2.66 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 25 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


Orders are processed by a licensed Fulproof retailer. The buy now button is added simply for convenience.

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* May not include all ingredients. Price per cocktail is an estimate based on cost of one cocktail with ingredients shown above and does not include shipping.

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Comments & Discussion

Benjamin Kay
I made mine with Del Maguey Clasico, Wray and Nephew OP white and Anders Erickson's Falernum I made at home following his steps, Absolutely incredible, every ingredient's notes shines without stepping on each other, I agree with Guy in the comments below, now I have to re-rank my top 5 again.
score: 2
Nick Hopewell-Smith
Complex, smoky and boozy. The egg white augments the overall richness well. This is an exotic and special Margarita, that’s also a crowd pleaser. I also dropped the sugar syrup by 50%, which was a good call, as is the suggestion of not overdoing the Maraschino. An excellent drink.
score: 1
Guy Daniels Premium Member
Wow, and wow again. Just made this with a new bottle of Mezcal Verde Amaras (bit more delicate than my last Del Maquey). Also, I skipped the egg white - hey, it’s a margarita… Sublime. New entry into my top five. Thanks Simon.
score: 2
Letti Penguin Premium Member
I think this maybe my all time favourite. Everyone I make it for loves it and wants the recipe. I do drop the sugar slightly or it’s just too drinkable! Worth buying the bitters for this alone.
score: 1
Ivar
Yup, this is up my alley! An adventure thru a rich landscape of flavours. Considering how many powerful ingridients it is built of it comes out surprisingly harmonious and smooth.
score: 1
Florian Ruf Premium Member
Excellent balanced cocktail! Only for a regular Bacardi Carta Blanca I suggest to use 50% more.
score: 1
John Hinojos Premium Member
Not being a fan of Mezcal, decided to use 1/4 of the mezcal and 3/4 of Anejo tequila. Perfect amount of smoky for me. Wonderful cocktail, the way we made it, and it went perfectly with a spicy Mexican pozole.
score: 2
John Tovey
Fantastic drink. Got to be careful with the Maraschino else it overpowers but needless to say, I'm going back in for round 2.
score: 1
Malea Kneen
I want to make this soooo much. In the middle of relocating so we’re out of many ingredients ? Definitely one to make ASAP once we get settled.
score: 1
Malea Kneen
Meanwhile, asked a favorite bartender to make this for me and it was excellent!
score: 1
Malea Kneen
And have finally made it at home! Delicious!
score: 0
Maureen Dyson
OMG…this cocktail is to die for! ?
score: 1

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Difford’s Shop logo
$2.66 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 25 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


Orders are processed by a licensed Fulproof retailer. The buy now button is added simply for convenience.

Checkout

* May not include all ingredients. Price per cocktail is an estimate based on cost of one cocktail with ingredients shown above and does not include shipping.

Visit Difford’s Shop USA

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