Mezcal works in cocktails because its smoke and herbal notes add depth to simple recipes. Just swap the base spirit in a classic and you get something new. These five recipes from ZUNTE's cocktail list use few ingredients and take minutes.
At a glance
| Cocktail | Profile | Mezcal | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ranch Water | Fresh, citrus | 2 oz | Very easy |
| Mezcal Negroni | Bold, bitter | 1 oz | Easy |
| Skinny Margarita | Fresh, citrus | 2 oz | Easy |
| Old Fashioned | Deep, aromatic | 2 oz | Medium |
| Mule | Fresh, spicy | 2 oz | Easy |
1. Ranch Water
- 2 oz ZUNTE Mezcal
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- Topo Chico to top
- Lime wheel
Fill a glass with ice, add mezcal and lime, top with Topo Chico and stir gently. Garnish with a lime wheel.
2. Mezcal Negroni
- 1 oz ZUNTE Mezcal
- 1 oz Campari
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- Orange peel
Stir all three in a mixing glass with ice until well chilled. Strain over a large ice cube and garnish with orange peel. Mezcal's smoke rounds out Campari's bitterness.
3. Skinny Margarita
- 2 oz ZUNTE Mezcal
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 1 oz fresh orange juice
- 1 tsp light agave nectar
- Coarse sea salt and an orange wedge
Salt the rim. Shake everything with ice, strain over fresh ice and garnish with the orange wedge.
4. Mezcal Old Fashioned
- 2 oz ZUNTE Mezcal
- 1 tsp agave nectar
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Orange twist (flamed, ideally)
Stir in a mixing glass with ice and strain over a large cube. Flame the orange peel over the drink and use it as garnish.
5. Mezcal Mule
- 2 oz ZUNTE Mezcal
- 1 oz Ancho Reyes liqueur
- ½ oz lime juice
- 2 oz ginger beer
- Mint leaves
Pour mezcal, Ancho Reyes and lime into a copper mug with ice, stir, top with ginger beer and garnish with mint.
Tips for getting them right
- Use freshly squeezed lime.
- Measure: half an ounce changes the balance.
- A light-smoke mezcal like ZUNTE lets the other ingredients show; a very smoky one can take over.
How it applies to ZUNTE
With its herbal, citrus, light-smoke profile, ZUNTE is made to work both neat and in cocktails. The full recipe list on our site has 25 cocktails.
FAQ
What's the easiest mezcal cocktail?
Ranch Water: mezcal, lime and sparkling water over ice.
Can you make a margarita with mezcal?
Yes. Use mezcal instead of tequila; it comes out more complex and lightly smoky.
Which mezcal is best for cocktails?
A joven with light smoke, so it doesn't bury the other ingredients.
Sources
- ZUNTE Mezcal cocktail recipes (zuntemezcal.com/en/recipes/)
