Guys with 2020 being well let’s face a complete let down we have to find a way to have fun right? I mean, after all, we are in quarantine and we can only be around our housemates so long before we need some liquid courage if you catch my drift!
After becoming tired of the same boring tequila drinks we wanted to try something else but what? Why not try tequilas cousin? Yes, mezcal which is known to be tequila’s smoky spicy cousin. Known for its amazing flavor and notes, mezcal is hitting the circuits in the United States. So with all that, what kind of drink can we swap out the tequila and replace the mezcal for? But first a brief history on tequila’s cousin mezcal.
Mezcal is produced in Mexico mostly in Oaxaca. Mezcal is made in buried pits with hot lava rocks and smoke, giving it that smoky flavor. And while some mezcals are smokier than others, you can choose by the type of agave that is listed on the label. Over the years mezcal has become much more popular. With many restaurants and bars in the United States catering to just mezcals, it’s so hard to not be able to find a mezcal that you will love. We recommend that you give up and coming to mezcal producer Rosaluna a taste as we think you will love their wonderful mezcals.
Mezcal Margaritas
We all love a good margarita, right? Especially on a hot summer day (Not that there is ever a wrong time for a margarita) But if you are like us and are simply just over the same tequila margaritas as always we recommend that you try its cousin mezcal. You’ll get that savory smoky flavor to add to your pallet. Now we must warn that not everyone is a fan of the smoky flavors, which is ok. So if you aren’t such a big fan but don’t mind a hint of smoky then we recommend that you try half mezcal half tequila in your margarita. We promise you will not regret it at all!
Walking Stick
Smoky mezcal and sweet dark rum combine to form a unified spirit in this Cuban-inspired cocktail from Jason Asher of Counter-Intuitive.
- 1 oz. mezcal, of your choice
- 1 oz. rum, of your choice
- 3⁄4 oz. fresh lime juice
- 1⁄2 oz. Campari
- 1⁄4 oz. Cherry Heering
- 1⁄4 oz. Benedictine
- 1 sprig mint, as a garnish
Mezcal Mule
We are all familiar with Moscow mules, Now we can try a mezcal mule and hit every note smoky, floral, hot, sweet and tart
- 3 cucumber slices
- ½ oz. agave nectar
- 1 oz. ginger beer
- ¾ oz. freshly squeezed lime juice
- ¾ oz. passion fruit puree
- 1½ oz. mezcal
Muddle the 3 cucumber slices and agave nectar in a cocktail shaker, and then add all the remaining ingredients
Shake with ice, then fine-strain into a chilled rocks glass over ice.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to choosing a mezcal for your favorite cocktail. The best pairings to mezcal are going to be rum and tequila. We recommend having a fun get together (as long as it is socially acceptable) and trying out some new mezcal recipes we promise you will not regret!
If you need any advice mezcal producer rosaluna is a great way to get tasty recipes and advice on which mezcal might be best for you. Everyone’s palate is different so what your friend might love you might hate and vice versa! Keeping an open mind when trying mezcals is a must. And remember it’s about the fun times! Just enjoy those fun times responsibly.