Year after year, the popularity of tequila and mezcal keeps increasing, and now the Mexican spirits have officially taken over the #1 position, knocking whiskey off the top spot. Tequila and mezcal are now four seasons spirits starring in an endless variety of margarita recipes, and taking over as the featured spirit in classic gin cocktails. Mezcal is especially giving smoky whiskies a run for their money, mixing well with wintery flavors to warm the season.
Oaxacan Hot Toddy
1.1 oz Mezcal Unión Uno
1.1 oz. Hot Water
1.1 oz Apple Cider (homemade if possible)
0.8 oz Agave Honey
0.5 oz Herbal Liqueur
0.5 oz Lemon Juice
Method: Mix ingredients together and pour into a rocks glass. Top with a slice of lemon.
Rojo Negroni
2 oz. Fósforo Mezcal Ensamble
¾ oz. Campari
½ oz. Sweet Vermouth
Method: Pour ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Stir until well chilled and strain into an old fashioned glass with a rock. Garnish with the peel of an orange.
Mezcal Margarita
2 oz Manojo Mezcal
1 oz Cointreau or Triple Sec
¾ oz fresh lime juice
¼-½ oz agave syrup (to taste)
Lime wedge for garnish
Method: Rim your glass with salt or Tajin. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the mezcal, Cointreau and agave syrup. Shake to chill. Strain into a stemmed glass or over ice in a rocks glass. Garnish with a fresh lime wedge.
Mezcal Unión Royale
2 oz Mezcal Unión Uno
0.5 oz Rosemary Syrup
0.75 oz Lemon Juice
Tonic Water
1 Rosemary Sprig
Green Grapes
Method: Mix Mezcal Unión Uno with ingredients, add ice, and top with tonic water. Garnish with a rosemary sprig and green grapes for good luck.
Black Smoke Manhattan
2 oz Santo Mezquila (Santo Spirits’ groundbreaking tequila-mezcal hybrid)
1 oz Sfumato Rabarbaro
2 dashes Hella Smoked Chili Bitters
Pinch of salt
Orange peel for garnish
Method: Combine first four ingredients in mixing glass with ice and stir. Strain over fresh ice in glass and garnish with expressed orange peel.
