Mezcal, with its rich, smoky flavor, is the perfect spirit for crafting cozy winter drinks and as winter’s chill sets in, there’s no better way to warm up than with one of our delicious mezcal cocktails.
To make it easier for you, we have selected the 8 best mezcal cocktails for you to enjoy this winter. Let’s dive into them, from classic twists to spicy refreshing recipes!
Classic Mezcal Cocktails for Winter
When the temperature drops, sometimes you just want a familiar favorite. These classic cocktails get a smoky upgrade with the addition of mezcal.
Old Fashioned
The Mezcal Old Fashioned, also known as the Oaxacan Old Fashioned, is a cocktail that perfectly blends the smoky flavor of mezcal with the classic elegance of an Old Fashioned.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ shot tequila Altos reposado
- ½ shot Del Maguey Vida Mezcal
- ¼ shot agave syrup
- 4 drops bob chocolate bitters
- Slice of orange (optional)
- Ice cubes
How to make it:
- Add the tequila to a glass with some ice and stir.
- Pour in the bob chocolate bitters and agave syrup. Adjust the amount to your taste, but ¼ shot is recommended.
- Add the mezcal to the glass and top it with more ice.
- Stir the mixture to chill the ingredients thoroughly.
- Garnish with a slice of orange if desired.
White Negroni
The White Mezcal Negroni is a contemporary twist on the classic Negroni, showcasing the artisanal Del Maguey Vida Clásico mezcal, it brings together smoky, herbal, and citrus notes, making it a refined and refreshing choice for any occasion.
Ingredients:
- 1 oz Del Maguey Vida Clásico mezcal
- 1 oz Lillet Blanc
- 1 oz Suze
- Ice
- Lemon twist for garnish
How to make it:
- Combine the ingredients In a mixing glass, combine 1 oz of Del Maguey Vida Clásico mezcal, 1 oz of Lillet Blanc, and 1 oz of Suze.
- Fill the mixing glass with ice and stir until well chilled.
- Strain the mixture into a chilled rocks glass filled with ice.
- Add a lemon twist for garnish to enhance the aroma and presentation.
Spicy Mezcal Winter Cocktails: Warm Up Your Winte
Nothing beats the winter chill like a spicy cocktail. These mezcal drinks bring the heat in more ways than one, combining perfectly spiciness with the smokiness of mezcal.
Spicy Margarita
The Spicy Mezcalita is a vibrant twist on the classic, blending the smoky depth of Mezcal with the tangy freshness of lime juice and a spicy kick from jalapeño. This cocktail is perfect for those who enjoy a little heat in their drinks.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Mezcal Vida Puebla
- 1 oz Fresh lime juice
- Slice of Jalapeño (adjust to taste)
- 1 oz Triple sec or Cointreau
- Salt for the rim (optional)
- Lime wedge or wheel for garnish
- Ice cubes
How to make it:
- Muddle the jalapeño: Place a slice of jalapeño in a shaker and muddle it to release the heat. Adjust the amount of jalapeño based on your spice preference.
- Prepare the glass: Moisten the rim of your glass with a lime wedge, then dip the rim into salt. This step is optional but adds a nice contrast to the spiciness of the cocktail.
- Combine the ingredients: In the shaker with the muddled jalapeño, add 2 oz of Mezcal Vida Puebla, 1 oz of fresh lime juice, and 1 oz of Triple sec or Cointreau. Add ice to fill the shaker halfway.
- Shake vigorously: Shake the mixture for about 20 seconds to blend the ingredients well and chill the drink.
- Strain and serve: Strain the mixture into the prepared glass.
- Garnish: Finish by garnishing with a lime wheel or an additional slice of jalapeño.
Bloody Mary
The Mezcal Bloody Mary, made with Del Maguey Vida de Muertos, is a smoky and spicy twist on the traditional Bloody Mary, perfect for a brunch or a festive cold morning breakfast..
Ingredients:
- 1 shot Del Maguey Vida de Muertos Mezcal
- 2 shots Tomato Juice
- 1 shot Lime Juice
- ¼ shot Worcestershire sauce
- 1 barspoon Maggi Juice
- 1 dash Tabasco Sauce
- Pinch of salt and black pepper
- Ice
- Lime wedge or celery for garnish
How to make it:
- Fill the shaker with ice: Start by filling a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add the Mezcal: Pour in 1 shot of Del Maguey Vida de Muertos Mezcal to infuse the drink with a smoky essence.
- Add tomato juice: Pour in 2 shots of tomato juice for a rich, savory base.
- Add lime juice: Add 1 shot of lime juice to introduce a zesty kick.
- Include Worcestershire sauce: Pour in ¼ shot of Worcestershire sauce to add depth and complexity.
- Add Maggi Juice: Include 1 barspoon of Maggi Juice for a subtle sweetness.
- Season and spice: Add a dash of Tabasco Sauce for heat, and season with a pinch of salt and black pepper.
- Shake vigorously: Shake the mixture until all the ingredients are well combined.
- Strain and serve: Strain the mixture into a chilled glass filled with ice.
- Garnish: Finish by garnishing with a lime wedge or a slice of celery.
Fruity Winter Mezcal Drinks: a Tropical Escape
Sometimes what we want in winter is a reminder of warmer days. These fruity mezcal cocktails will transport you to a tropical paradise, and make it easier to survive in the cold nights, even if it’s for a brief moment.
Paloma
The Mezcal Paloma is a smoky twist on the quintessential Mexican cocktail, traditionally made with tequila but here enhanced by the earthy, smoky flavors of mezcal.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ shot Del Maguey Vida Collection Mezcal
- 1 ½ shot Pink Grapefruit Juice
- ½ shot Lime Juice
- ⅓ shot Agave Syrup
- Pink Grapefruit soda (such as Thomas Henry or another brand)
- Salt for the rim (optional)
- Grapefruit or lime wedge for garnish
- Ice cubes
How to make it:
- Prepare the glass: If you prefer a salted rim to complement the bitterness of the grapefruit, moisten the rim of your glass with a grapefruit or lime wedge, then dip the rim in salt to coat it evenly.
- Craft the base: In a shaker, combine 1 ½ shot of mezcal, 1 ½ shot of pink grapefruit juice, ½ shot of lime juice, and ⅓ shot of agave syrup. Add ice to fill about half of the shaker.
- Shake well: Seal the shaker and shake vigorously for about 15-20 seconds to thoroughly mix and chill the ingredients.
- Serve: Strain the mixture into your prepared glass, then top it off with pink grapefruit soda to your desired level of fizziness.
- Garnish: Finish by garnishing with a wedge of grapefruit or lime. Take a moment to appreciate the fragrant aroma before sipping on the smoky, tangy delight of the Mezcal Paloma.
Mezcal Mule
The Mezcal Mule is a smoky twist on the classic Moscow Mule. This refreshing blend of mezcal, lime, and ginger beer creates a unique and bold cocktail that’s perfect for any occasion. Cheers to a spirited adventure in mixology!
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces Del Maguey Minero Mezcal
- ½ ounce fresh lime juice
- 4-6 ounces ginger beer
- Ice cubes
- Lime wedge for garnish
- Optional: ½ ounce simple syrup or agave nectar for added sweetness
How to make it:
- Chill your glass: (Optional but recommended) Place a copper mule mug or highball glass in the freezer for a few minutes to chill.
- Add ice: Once your glass is chilled, fill it with ice cubes.
- Pour the mezcal: Measure out 2 ounces of Del Maguey Minero Mezcal and pour it over the ice.
- Squeeze lime juice: Squeeze the juice of half a lime into the glass, which should be about ½ ounce. Adjust to taste.
- Sweeten (Optional): If you prefer a sweeter cocktail, add ½ ounce of simple syrup or agave nectar. Stir well to mix in the sweetness.
- Top with ginger beer: Fill the glass with 4-6 ounces of ginger beer, leaving some space at the top for garnish.
- Stir gently: Use a mixing spoon to stir the ingredients together, blending the flavors without losing the effervescence.
- Garnish: Add a lime wedge for garnish. For an extra touch of citrus aroma, you can use a lime wheel or a twist of lime peel.
Unique Recipes: for Adventurous Winter Mezcal Cocktail Enjoyers
For those looking to expand their cocktail horizons, these unique mezcal creations offer new flavor experiences perfect for winter exploration. We are sure than once you try them, you will drink them on every occasion and season.
Haitian Divorce
The Haitian Divorce cocktail is a captivating fusion of Haitian and Mexican flavors, combining the rich depth of aged Haitian rum with the smoky allure of mezcal. This unique blend creates a memorable and complex drinking experience, perfect for those who appreciate bold and layered cocktails.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ oz. aged Haitian rum
- ¾ oz. Del Maguey Vida Puebla Mezcal
- ½ oz. sweet sherry
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Garnish: orange twist
- Garnish: lime twist
How to make it:
- Prepare your ingredients: Gather all the necessary ingredients and ensure they are accurately measured.
- Mix the ingredients: In a shaker, combine 1 ½ oz. of aged Haitian rum, ¾ oz. of Del Maguey Vida Puebla mezcal, ½ oz. of sweet sherry, and 2 dashes of Angostura bitters.
- Shake well: Add ice to the shaker and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds to thoroughly chill and mix the ingredients.
- Strain: Fine strain the mixture into a chilled glass to remove any ice shards and create a smooth finish.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish the cocktail with an orange twist and a lime twist for added citrus aroma. Serve immediately and savor the intricate balance of smoky, sweet, and complex flavors in your Haitian Divorce cocktail.
Smoke Show
The Smoke Show is a distinctive cocktail that offers a smoky, complex flavor profile with a balance of citrus, sweetness, and herbal notes.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Del Maguey Chichicapa Mezcal
- ½ oz Freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¼ oz Cynar (herbal liqueur)
- ¼ oz Green Chartreuse
- ½ oz Simple Syrup
- 1 egg white
- Freshly grated cinnamon (optional)
- Optional garnish: orange twist or lime wheel
How to make it:
- Prepare the glass: Choose a rocks glass for your cocktail. If desired, you can smoke-infuse the glass by placing it upside down over a smoking gun filled with wood chips or dried herbs like thyme or rosemary. Infuse for a few seconds and then remove the cloche.
- Combine ingredients: In a cocktail shaker, add 2 oz of Del Maguey Chichicapa mezcal, ½ oz of freshly squeezed lemon juice, ¼ oz of Cynar, ¼ oz of Green Chartreuse, ½ oz of simple syrup, and 1 egg white.
- Dry shake: Shake the mixture vigorously without ice for about 10-15 seconds to emulsify the egg white and create a frothy texture.
- Shake again with ice: Add ice to the shaker and shake again for another 10-15 seconds to chill the ingredients and combine the flavors.
- Strain and serve: Strain the cocktail into your prepared rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
- Garnish: Garnish the Smoke Show with an orange twist or a lime wheel. If using an orange twist, gently squeeze it over the drink to release the citrus oils, enhancing the aroma and flavor.
- Optional touch: For an extra smoky effect, lightly grate fresh cinnamon over the top of the drink.
Tips for Making the Best Winter Mezcal Cocktails
Creating the perfect winter mezcal cocktail is an art, but with these tips, you’ll be mixing like a pro in no time:
- Choose the right mezcal: Opt for a high-quality mezcal with a flavor profile that complements your cocktail ingredients. Del Maguey offers a range of excellent options, for those new to this amazing world, we recommend you to take a look to our vida collection.
- Balance the smoke: Mezcal’s smokiness can be intense. Balance it with sweeter elements like agave syrup or fruit juices if the smokiness it’s still new to you or your guests.
- Experiment with warm spices: Cinnamon, star anise, and cloves can add a wonderful winter warmth to your mezcal cocktails.
- Don’t forget the garnish: A well-chosen garnish can elevate your cocktail. Try orange peel, cinnamon sticks, or even a sprinkle of chili powder for spicy drinks. The drink will for sure taste amazing, let’s dress them as they deserve!
- Use quality mixers: Fresh juices and premium mixers can make a world of difference in your cocktails.
- Consider temperature: While many cocktails are served cold, don’t shy away from warm mezcal drinks in winter.
- Ice matters: Use large, clear ice cubes for slower melting and less dilution of your carefully crafted cocktail. Shouldn’t be too hard to find ice in winter, right?
