Our Favorite Mezcal Cocktail Recipes to Sip the Smoky Spirit
Shake up something smoky.
Mezcal is known for its unique smokiness and smooth finish; keeping that in mind, a good mezcal doesn’t need much added for it to be sipped and enjoyed. Though if you are a fan of shaking, stirring, and serving up cocktails, mezcal makes for a perfect spirit that won’t be overpowered by added juices or edible garnishes—that’s why we’ve gathered up our favorite cocktail recipes to make with mezcal.
Try a mezcal-based Bloody Mary with Tajín seasoning for a summery daytime drink, or a few creative takes on the classic paloma cocktail. For a floral and earthy drink, you can’t go wrong with hibiscus and mezcal.
Whether you’re gearing up for a Cinco De Mayo get-together or just looking for something to sip on after a long day, we’ve got you covered with our top picks below.
Harvest Moon
Mix equal parts kosher salt and Tajín seasoning to make the rim for this smoky summery drink.
Red Dog Saloon Paloma
“We love classics, and the dusty desert screams agave spirits. We doctored our own Paloma using mezcal over tequila and have canned it for on- and off-premise consumption. This was a very successful COVID pivot, and now we’ve put a few other cocktails in our proprietary can.”
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Surfrider Malibu Bloody Mary
Smoky mezcal, local Malibu Mary mix, and abundant briny, spicy garnishes take this daytime tipple over the top.
Hibiscus Mezcal Cocktail
Hibiscus and mezcal combine for a floral and earthy drink in the Hibiscus Mezcal Cocktail. For an added kick, line the ridge of the cup with Tajín and lime.
Orion’s Paloma
The Orion’s Paloma is a house favorite at Spire 73, the bar on the 73rd floor of the InterContinental in L.A. It’s not just the warmth of the tequila and mezcal complemented by the tart dose of two citruses and sweet lychee — this cocktail is also a lovely pink and orange mirroring the sunset.
Thyme for Mezcal
We unearthed our shakers to create the spring fling cocktail — Thyme for Mezcal. The easy-to-make thyme simple syrup smooths the mezcal, and the lemon adds a citrusy note to create a light drink for any time of day.
Celorita Cocktail
The blend of cucumber, cilantro, habañero, and pineapple make a refreshing punch for outdoor lunches and sipping with appetizers. Be sure to use agave syrup rather than simple syrup to balance the mezcal.
The Smokin’ Word
We love this drink for the mix of brandy-soaked cherries with smoky mezcal. The citrus gives a necessary tang to even the sweetness and elevate the smokiness.
Silencio Negroni
This recipe was given to us by our friends at El Silencio, who pay tribute to traditional Mezcaleros by using the same process that has been passed down from generation to generation and comes from Oaxaca, Mexico. This Negroni is the perfect drink to ease into the night after a long day.
Feel inspired to get your hands on some mezcal and start mixing up some of these recipes? Check out our mezcal guide here for all things mezcal, along with some of our favorite bottles to try.
