I find this Mezcal margarita to be a smoky twist on the classic that might just outshine the original. Refreshing, tart, and subtly sweet, this mezcal-infused cocktail is filled with the robust flavor of mezcal in every sip, making it one of my favorite cocktails!
This is a cocktail for those that say they don’t like tequila. My appreciation for Mezcal comes from the fact that it’s so different from tequila. I love it’s incredibly unique earthy, savory and smoky flavors. When I use it as a base alcohol for this Mezcal margarita, it’s truly in its element!
I found that combining the Mezcal with my favorite orange liqueur, fresh lime juice and some agave for sweetness, created a balance of flavors I wasn’t expecting and I’m here for it!
Someone asked me recently if Mezcal is the same as tequila. The short answer is, tequila falls under the Mezcal category, but technically, every tequila is a form of Mezcal, and not all Mezcal qualifies as tequila. Did you get that?
Why I Love This Recipe
- It’s my one of my favorite cocktails to serve alongside Mexican food.
- I personally love a smoky cocktail, so the mezcal flavor profile checks all the boxes for me.
Ingredients
Sea salt: I use sea salt because it adds an unexpected, savory touch to the rim, while enhancing the overall taste.
Mezcal: Let’s face it, this is the smoky and robust flavor of the cocktail.
Cointreau: I love adding Cointreau because it releases the sweet and citrusy notes you didn’t even know were there.
Lime juice: I add lime juice for its obvious tartness and refreshing element. I think it makes the cocktail more lively!
Agave nectar: I prefer agave for sweetness, it’s a natural pairing with tequila.
Lime wheels (for garnish): Not just a visual, they add a burst of fresh lime aroma to every sip. But yeah, it makes it cute.
How to Make It
Find the complete recipe with measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Step One: I begin by rimming a rocks glass with salt. I do this by running a lime wedge around the rim and dipping it into a plate of sea salt.
- Step Two: I fill the glass generously with ice.
- Step Three: I carefully pour in all the liquid cocktail ingredients.
- Step Four: I generously stir the cocktail together and garnish it with a twist. It’s so simple.
Make-Ahead
- If I need to make this ahead, I mix the ingredients (excluding ice) and refrigerate them. I will add the ice and garnish just before serving to keep the freshness of flavors.
Recipe Notes
- I make this margarita directly in the glass. Since it’s an alcohol-led cocktail, I don’t won’t to dilute it too much, which is why I stir the components together rather than shake them. While it can be made in a shaker for ease or volume (I’ve done it), I never actually shake the ingredients together.
- I try to serve this mezcal margarita immediately so it’s chilled and not watered down by the ice.
- I used the brand Madre Mezcal, which is handmade in open-air Palenques in Oaxaca, Mexico. I love that this Mezcal’s flavor profile comes from the local water as well as the airborne yeast and minerals found in the earthen ovens used to roast the agave. It intrigues me at the alcohol nerd level.
- Cointreau is just hands-down my fave orange liqueur. I find Cointreau makes a much smoother cocktail. I do not recommend using Grand Marnier (another orange liqueur) because it has elements of vanilla, which do not enhance this cocktail whatsoever.
- While Triple Sec can be substituted for Cointreau, the overall drink will be less smooth.
- For those friends who prefer a less smoky margarita, I’ve used half mezcal and half silver tequila.
- Honey or simple syrup can be used as alternatives for sweetness, but I find agave works best for this cocktail.
- An orange twist can be used in a pinch for a different citrus garnish.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I substitute silver tequila for mezcal in a margarita? You can, but that is going to remove any the distinctive qualities mezcal brings to the table. It just depends on what you want to experience.
What’s the key to a well-salted rim? I make sure the glass rim is moist with lime juice before dipping it in salt.
How do I balance the smokiness of mezcal in the cocktail? I do this with sweetness and lime, so by following this recipe you’ve got it.
More Margarita Recipes to Sip On
- Blueberry Margarita
- Agave Margarita
- Peach Margarita
- Spicy Watermelon Margarita
- Hibiscus Margarita
- Clementine Margarita
- Mango Margarita
- Coconut Lime Margarita
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Mezcal Margarita
Equipment
Ingredients
Mezcal Margarita Ingredients:
- sea salt for salt rim
- ice
- 2 oz. Mezcal
- 1 oz. Cointreau
- 1 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1/2 tsp. agave nectar
- lime wheels for garnish
Instructions
How to Make a Mezcal Margarita
- Salt a rocks glass by rubbing a wedge of lime (the juicy part) around the rim of the glass then turning it in a plate of sea salt.sea salt
- Fill the glass with ice.ice
- Add Mezcal, Cointreau, lime juice and agave.2 oz. Mezcal, 1 oz. Cointreau, 1 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice, 1/2 tsp. agave nectar
- Use a long cocktail spoon to stir.
- Garnish with a lime wheel or two.lime wheels for garnish
Notes
Nutrition
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Jay says
This made for such an enjoyable sip! The smoky mezcal is fabulous!!