drink mezcal neat at room temperature, in a small glass and in short sips, which people in Oaxaca call “besitos” (little kisses). It is not a shot: smell it, hold it in your mouth for a few seconds and enjoy it slowly. A 1 to 1.5 oz pour is enough to get to know it.
What do you serve it in?
| Vessel | What it is |
|---|---|
| Copita or veladora | Small glass, the most common in mezcal bars |
| Jícara | Half of a dried gourd; traditional |
| Tasting glass | Narrow rim that concentrates aromas; useful for tasting |
| Clay jarrito | Traditional at markets and fiestas |
At what temperature?
Room temperature. Cold and ice mute the agave's aromas. In hot weather, pour smaller servings and keep water on the side.
Step by step
- Look: a joven mezcal should be clear and bright.
- Smell: bring your nose in slowly, without inhaling hard; the alcohol can sting.
- First kiss: a tiny sip to get your mouth used to it.
- Second sip: hold it on your tongue a few seconds and breathe out through your nose. That is when agave, fruit, herbs and smoke appear.
- Pair: orange slices and worm salt between sips, if you like.
What to avoid
- Knocking it back like a shot.
- Adding ice if you want to really taste it.
- Lime and salt before sipping, as with other spirits: it changes the flavor.
How this applies to ZUNTE
ZUNTE has a light, silky body with herbal and citrus notes and sweet tones: a great first mezcal to sip neat. It is 40% ABV. ZUNTE Gold, also 40% ABV, is more complex and wild, perfect for a second copita.
FAQ
How much is a pour?
1 to 1.5 oz.
Is mezcal served cold?
Neat, best at room temperature. Cold, in cocktails.
Why “little kiss”?
Because the sip is so small and slow it barely touches your lips.
How many should you have?
In moderation: enjoy quality, not quantity.
Sources
- ZUNTE Mezcal. Product sheets, zuntemezcal.com.
- ZUNTE editorial guide (responsible drinking).
