Mezcal Cocktails

Mezcal cocktails are where this spirit really shines. While it's traditional to drink mezcal by the shot (occasionally with a little sal de gusano and lime), modern bartenders have found that it's a great addition to all kinds of mixed drinks. Smoky and complex, it almost functions like a scotch, and is frequently used to add a new twist to whiskey cocktails.

Mezcal can also be swapped out for tequila without changing anything else, and while the spirits are quite different, they often work well in the same contexts—usually with lots of citrus. The Mezcal Paloma is a simple one to start with, using grapefruit soda and lime juice, both of which blend well with mezcal's agave notes and smokiness.

But feel free to experiment! Mezcal is enjoying popularity outside of Mexico for the first time in generations, and many of the best mezcal cocktail recipes have yet to be written.