If you're new to mezcal, it can be challenging to sort through all of the mezcal recipes that the world has to offer. On the other hand, even if you're already familiar with mezcal cocktails, there's always something new around the next corner.
Oaxaca Old-Fashioned
Possibly the most well-known and beloved mezcal cocktail, it's excellent for those who love the bourbon old-fashioned but want to branch out.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce mezcal
- 1 ounce reposado
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- 2 dashes orange bitters
- 3 dashes aromatic bitters
- Ice
- Orange peel for garnish
Instructions
- In a mixing glass, add ice, mezcal, reposado, simple syrup, orange bitters, and aromatic bitters.
- Stir rapidly to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with orange peel.
Smokey Mezcal Margarita
If you've ever craved a margarita but wanted it to have a little extra depth, mezcal is what you've been waiting for.
Ingredients
- Lime wedge and salt for garnish
- 2 ounces mezcal
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ½ ounce orange liqueur
- ½ ounce agave
- Ice
- Lime wedge for garnish
Instructions
- To prepare rim, rub the rim of the glass with the lime wedge.
- With the salt on a saucer, dip either half or the entire rim of the glass in the salt to coat.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, mezcal, lime juice, orange liqueur, and agave.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into prepared glass.
- Garnish with lime wedge.
Mezcal Last Word
This riff on the classic last word cocktail is something called "Closing Argument," but you can call it whatever you want. Or have a debate with someone about it.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce mezcal
- ¾ ounce green chartreuse
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ¾ ounce maraschino liqueur
- Ice
- Cocktail cherry for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a coupe or Nick and Nora glass.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, mezcal, green chartreuse, lime juice, and maraschino liqueur.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with cocktail cherry.
Mezcal Sour
A smokey sour is the exact cocktail you've been searching for when you can't quite decide what you're in the mood to drink.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces mezcal
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- Egg white
- Ice
- Bitters for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add mezcal, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white.
- Dry shake for approximately 45 seconds to mix ingredients and create a froth.
- Add ice to shaker.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with a few drops of bitters.
Naked and Famous
This naked and famous mezcal martini hails from a famous cocktail bar in New York City and has swept the mezcal world by storm.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce mezcal
- ¾ ounce Aperol
- ¾ ounce yellow chartreuse
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- Ice
- Lime ribbon for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, mezcal, Aperol, yellow chartreuse, and lime juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with lime ribbon.
Mezcal Manhattan
The mezcal Manhattan is for the bourbon drinker who wants the taste of a summer campfire when that dream is just out of reach.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces mezcal
- 1 ounce sweet vermouth
- 2-3 dashes aromatic bitters
- Ice
- Cocktail cherry for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a mixing glass, add ice, mezcal, sweet vermouth, and bitters.
- Stir rapidly to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with cocktail cherry.
Ahumado El Diablo
This mezcal beauty is a smokey, deep take on the classic el diablo tequila cocktail.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces mezcal
- ½ ounce crème de cassis
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- Ice
- Ginger beer or club soda to top off
- Lime wedge for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, mezcal, creme de cassis, and lime juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into rocks or highball glass over fresh ice.
- Top off with ginger beer.
- Garnish with lime wedge.
Prickly Lady
This visually stunning drink will convert you to the house of mezcal with one sip.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces mezcal
- ¾ ounce ginger liqueur
- ¾ ounce prickly pear syrup
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- Ice
- Lime wheel for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, mezcal, ginger liqueur, prickly pear syrup, and lime juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with lime wheel.
Mezcal Mule
Just when you thought the classic mule couldn't have any more layers of flavor: enter mezcal.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces mezcal
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- Ice
- Ginger beer to top off
- Mint sprig for garnish
Instructions
- In a rocks glass or copper mug, add mezcal and lime juice.
- Stir to mix.
- Top off with ginger beer.
- Garnish with mint sprig.
Ingredients
- 5-7 fresh mint leaves
- 2 ounces mezcal
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- Crushed ice
- Mint sprig for garnish
Instructions
- In a rocks glass or julep cup, muddle mint leaves with a splash of simple syrup.
- Add mezcal and ice.
- Stir until glass is frosted.
- Garnish with mint sprig.
Mezcal Negroni
Whether you've run out of gin or you're looking for ways to explore mezcal, this Negroni will positively steal your heart.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce mezcal
- 1 ounce sweet vermouth
- 1 ounce Campari
- Ice
- Orange slice for garnish
Instructions
- In a mixing glass, add ice, mezcal, sweet vermouth, and Campari.
- Stir rapidly to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with orange slice.
A Daisy for Mezcal
Enjoy a smokey and rich riff on the classic tequila daisy.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces mezcal
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ ounce orange liqueur
- ¼ ounce simple syrup
- Ice
- Lime ribbon for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, mezcal, lemon juice, orange liqueur, and simple syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with lime ribbon.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces mezcal
- 4 ounces tomato juice
- ¾ ounce pickle juice
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ ounce horseradish
- ¼ ounce hot sauce
- 2 dashes Worcestershire
- 2 dashes garlic salt
- Ice
- Pickled veggies, celery stalk, and lemon slide to garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, mezcal, tomato juice, pickle juice, lemon juice, horseradish, hot sauce, Worcestershire, and garlic salt.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into highball glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with interesting pickled veggies, celery, and lemon.
Mezcal Collins
If a Tom Collins or a highball is the type of cocktail to speak your language, then this will blow you away.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces mezcal
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- Ice
- Club soda to top off
- Lemon slice for garnish
Instructions
- In a highball or collins glass, add ice, mezcal, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
- Top off with club soda.
- Stir to mix.
- Garnish with lemon slice.
Mezcal Paloma
The mezcal Paloma is for people with an abundance of grapefruit soda because they know that grapefruit soda is superior soda. You can even flame your rosemary sprig for an extra smokey experience.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces mezcal
- ¼ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- Ice
- Grapefruit soda to top off
- Grapefruit slice and rosemary sprig for garnish
Instructions
- In a highball glass, add ice, mezcal, and lime juice.
- Top off with grapefruit soda.
- Stir to mix.
- Garnish with grapefruit slice and rosemary sprig.
Mezcal Recipes to Delight the Senses
Stir up a mezcal cocktail when you're looking for a cocktail that has added layers of complexity without it being too overwhelming. And if you do need that extra something, consider flaming your garnishes or even smoking your cocktails for that full mezcal experience. Who says a mezcal recipe needs to be simple?
