A mashup of mezcal and whiskey makes for a rich, smoky combo. Created from a blend of eight-year-old Espadín and 14-year-old Tobala sourced from high-altitude fields, it’s “a great choice for mixing in cocktails because it pairs perfectly with both citrus and bitter notes,” says bartender Erick Castro of San Diego’s Polite Provisions and Raised By Wolves. Mezcal El Silencio’s Espadín expression is an excellent introductory mezcal, offering subtle smoke and salinity surrounding notes of citrus, dried fruit, and sweet potato, to name a few. With everything from a mezcal hot toddy to a mulled wine with sage, mint and figs, check out the 15 Best Hot Cocktails to Make This Winter! Introduced in 2010, Del Maguey Vida Mezcal is an artisanal single-village organic mezcal made from espadín agaves. Below, you’ll find a wide range of mezcal, from the best mezcal to use for cocktails to premium spirits that deserve to be served neat. Mezcal (also called Mescal) is a popular Mexican liqueur.Like tequila, Mezcal is made from any of the ‘agave’ type plants that grow in Mexico. Get our best cocktail recipes, tips, and more when you sign up for our newsletter. Written By: Taylor Gorski Best Mezcal Cocktails. The cucumber is fresh and herbaceous, and even though the cocktail contains simple syrup, a … review process here. Rum may be the king of all things tiki, but mezcal is throwing its hat in to the tropical ring with this exotic fruit cocktail. Doña Vega Mezcal Espadin, The 8 Best Wines from Black-Owned Wineries in 2021, 10 Best Tequilas for Margaritas and Shots in 2021, The 10 Best Irish Whiskeys to Drink in 2021. A limited-edition series, it is produced using rare, wild, and semi-cultivated agaves. This Mezcal is made from 100 percent Espadín agave and has an ABV of 43 percent. ", "Expect complex notes of butterscotch, green plantain, mango, spice, and subtle smoke from this special bartender-backed Del Maguey expression. One of the most magnificent and delicious mezcal variations is Rosaluna. Most Americans know the mezcal of Oaxaca, where Espadín agave is roasted in a hole in the ground to prepare it for distilling, resulting in a smoky spirit. The finest drinking institutions around the world are slinging mezcal negroni’s and mezcal … So a few years ago when it became en vogue to actually smoke your cocktails, I was all for it. Vodka lovers who are new to the spirit will appreciate this just-launched mezcal for its lightness, sweetness, and muted smoke. What’s unique about this Mezcal, she says, is that the producer ferments the agave juice in the skin of a cow, giving the spirit an interesting lactic, floral flavor. “It has some burnt rubber to it, a nice bit of smoke, and a good bit of sweetness for a full, rich mezcal.” Best of all, it’s produced with bartenders like her in mind. Mezcal Corpse Reviver #2. Advantage. Disadvantage. Use these great brands for all your mezcal cocktails including mezcal margaritas and mezcal negronis. Mezcal drinks can be delicate, like this softly floral stirred cocktail from bartender Ivy Mix. Ryan Fitzgerald, the owner of ABV in San Francisco, is among the many enthusiastic bar pros who find themselves constantly reaching for this bottle for more reasons than one. Created by fourth-generation distiller Oscar Hernández Santiago, this mezcal, says Lemus, “is a fantastic way to discover the spirit’s typical earthy and smoky nuances.” In his cocktail, the Oaxaca Smash, Lemus mixes fresh ginger, lime juice, angostura bitters, and black tea–infused sweet vermouth to balance the earthiness of the mezcal, which, he says, also offers “grassy and peppery notes with hints of mushroom and tobacco.” It pairs well, he notes, with refreshing seafood dishes like ceviche. Sourcing Espadín agave from palenques in towns throughout the Valles Centrales of their native Oaxaca, Valentín, Rolando, and Asis Cortés have created a line of mezcals in which “you can taste the terroir,” says Mix. Designed specifically for cocktails and to be used by bartenders as their well mezcal, Del Maguey’s Vida bottling is distilled from espadín agave grown throughout the state of Oaxaca. Here are a few to look for at the liquor store or on your next trip to the bar: Ilegal Mezcal … ... (and the easy-on-the-wallet price point) makes it perfect for cocktails. They make sure to harvest sustainably, replanting the slopes and canyons of Oaxaca’s Sierra Sur to replace every plant they take. The beverage is a good choice for cocktails, margaritas, and many other mixes, especially shots. Conclusion. “Not all varieties taste the same, and not every batch tastes the same. “I always encourage people to sip it at room temperature so they can enjoy the layers of flavor,” she says, “though it can turn a simple cocktail into something special.”. ", "The first release of Ensamble is just 2,000 bottles, and with an ABV of 51.6 percent, the higher proof helps carry the spirit’s strong finish. Del Maguey Vida clocks in at 42 percent ABV and is known for its honeyed fruit-forward aromas and banana, citrus, sandalwood, and baking spice notes on the palate. Take time to look into the brand to see if they support the local farmers and communities who produce it. It also refers to the status of family members of the mezcaleros he works with, as they journey to the United States in search of a viable living. Del Maguey, Ilegal, and Montelobos top our list of the best-tasting and best-reviewed brands of mezcal on the market. Del Maguey Vida seems to be the standard best bang for your buck recommendation, usually between $30 and $40 depending on location. In his cocktail, the Oaxaca Smash, Lemus mixes fresh ginger, lime juice, angostura bitters, and black tea–infused sweet vermouth to balance the earthiness of the mezcal, which, he says, also … Trying mezcal should be a journey through flavors of flowers, fruits, vegetables, herbs, earth, cheese, or even sour notes until you find the perfect one for you. Expect complex notes of butterscotch, green plantain, mango, spice, and subtle smoke. “We insisted that this distillate was singular, that its delicate floral notes were a pronounced departure from the funky barnyard, intense tropical fruit, and searing minerality of his other bottlings,” Simo shares. Ivy Mix calls this “entry-level” mezcal produced in the Oaxacan village of San Luis Del Rio “a classic go-to” for that traditional Espadín flavor. “Doña Vega is one of my favorite mezcal brands on the market right now––the Espadín is great for cocktails. This smoky Mexican liquor is having a moment: its bold, smoky flavor has cocktail … Cinco Sentidos Papalometl Mezcal, Best Female-Owned and Produced: Strain cocktail over ice in rocks glass. What is Mezcal Mezcal (also called Mescal) is a popular Mexican liqueur. In this case, the agave is Tepextate, a slow-growing, wild variety that takes 15 to 25 years to mature, resulting in a complexity that is augmented by wild yeast fermentation in open, outdoor vats. “It has become my go-to because it goes with everything,” says Deena Sayers. But sometimes, it’s nice to have a refreshing cocktail, and Mexico City mezcal cocktails are among the best! This spirit represents celebration and ritual (Pechuga is often used for special occasions, such as an offering for Dia de los Muertos altars)––the Pechuga process typically involves suspending a raw chicken or turkey breast along with local fruits and nuts over the Mezcal during final distillation, which mixes with the liquid’s vapors and imparts a subtle flavor to the final product. With recognition for the socioeconomic inequities involved in that migration, Rexer donates some of the proceeds of Ilegal sales to progressive causes. Jamaica Cocktail Hibiscus steals the show in this simple mezcal cocktail from Mexico City. Before getting into a few of our personal favorite bottles, let's break it down a bit. Often described as a smokier version of tequila, mezcal is a type of distilled drink that is made from a variety of different agaves. "It's lighter on smoke than others, … “Everything that’s special about this bottling stands on top of the foundation of all that’s great about Sombra as a company—they are at the forefront of sustainable mezcal production in terms of what they do for local communities, like their adobe brick initiative, along with countless community outreach and sustainability efforts,” he says. This is another cocktail where you’re simply swapping out gin for mezcal. Del Maguey Vida Mezcal. Its blend of smokiness and earthy [notes] add robust flavor and complexity to everything, from adaptations of classic cocktails like a Mezcal Negroni to custom creations utilizing fresh fruits and herbs.". Here are all the best mezcal cocktails to try! ", "A special smoke-forward Mezcal with dried fruit, spice, and umami qualities. The best mezcal should be sipped neat, and not used in cocktails. Mezcal Negroni Mix up the Negroni with mezcal! However, it's also great as the main spirit base, as it brilliantly illustrates in the two-ingredient M and M below. This Mexican spirit adds a smoky nuance to mixed drinks from the mule to the margarita. Here are the 10 best mezcal brands to drink right now. https://www.menshealth.com/nutrition/g21285354/mezcal-cocktail-recipes If you’re looking for a special smoke-forward Mezcal with dried fruit, spice, and umami qualities, look no further than Gracias a Dios Pechuga. It’s easy to drink on its own, its long finish makes it a prominent choice for those looking to make a cocktail that embodies “mezcal” (i.e. Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our It’s tangy and smoke-forward, giving this popular cocktail a rich depth. 1. From sweet to spicy to earthy, you can easily find a flavor profile that will suit many different tastes. “Del Maguey has the same strong relationships with the same producers [after] more than 25 years. It’s a little more citrusy with some vanilla.” Ilegal founder John Rexer used to smuggle mezcal out of Mexico to serve at his underground music club in Guatemala—hence the label’s name, in part. They truly care about mezcal, its culture, and its people,” he says. Best for a Negroni: Derrumbes San Luis Potosí, Best for Sipping: Nuestra Soledad Zoquitlán, Best for Beginners: Vamonos Riendo Mezcal, The 12 Best Reposado Tequilas to Drink in 2021, The 10 Best Gifts for Tequila and Mezcal Lovers in 2021, The 10 Best Blanco Tequilas to Drink in 2021, The 12 Best Sipping Tequilas to Drink in 2021, The 10 Best Añejo Tequilas to Drink in 2021, 5 Essential Mezcal Bottles You Need for Your Home Bar, Everything You Need to Know About Mexico’s Hottest Mezcal Region, Is the Mezcal Industry Doing Enough to Protect Mezcal? The result is a mezcal that’s “a whole different beast,” says Mix. MEZCAL PALOMA “This is a twist on the classic summer tequila cocktail. Mezcal is often used to add a touch of its distinctive lightly smoky character to cocktails based on other spirits particularly tequila. Created by Chad Solomon of Midnight Rambler in Dallas, Texas, this … The best mezcal cocktails, however, involve offbeat ingredients that play well with the spirit’s particular flavors. La Capirucha Juicy prickly pears bring an earthy sweetness and electric pink color to this cocktail… Maybe it's the smoky flavor that polarizes people, or the association with worms, but this often misunderstood spirit really makes for some great cocktails. This particular expression is double-distilled and offers an ABV of 45 percent. Great mezcal for cocktails. Her preferred agave spirit cocktail is a Tommy’s Margarita made with a joven Mezcal. … As global mezcal sales continue to rise and the spirit makes its way into more cocktail programs across the U.S., it's a great time to get to know mezcal. Betsy Andrews is a freelance journalist specializing in wine, spirits, food, travel, and the environment. Mezcal is made from an array of different agaves in 13 different Mexican states. If you're not sure where to start exploring this fantastic drink, don't worry we have you covered.