Chapulín Recipe: The Cocktail That Pays Tribute to Oaxaca

If you’re looking for a mezcal cocktail that blends character, tradition, and a bold twist, the Chapulín recipe is exactly what you need. This drink combines the smokiness of mezcal with citrus, spice, and a touch of salt, resulting in a vibrant and unforgettable cocktail.

In this article, we’ll show you how to prepare the Chapulín cocktail step by step, what ingredients you’ll need, and why it’s one of the favorite recipes to enhance the experience of Del Maguey’s artisanal mezcal.

What Is the Chapulín Cocktail?

The Chapulín cocktail is named after the iconic Oaxacan grasshoppers—symbols of flavor, culture, and Mexican heritage. While it doesn’t always include chapulines as an ingredient, it captures their essence: a mix of tradition and boldness.

This recipe blends mezcal with lime, chile, worm salt or chapulín salt, and sometimes a hint of orange liqueur or agave syrup. Its balance of citrusy, smoky, and spicy notes makes it a truly unforgettable drink.

Ingredients

To prepare this Oaxacan cocktail at home, you’ll need:

• 2 oz Del Maguey Vida Clásico mezcal
  
• 1 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
  
• 0.5 oz agave syrup or agave honey
  
• A pinch of chili powder (piquín, Tajín, or a mix of dried chilies)
  
• A pinch of worm salt or chapulín salt
  
• Lime or orange slice for garnish
  
• Ice to taste
  

Optional: Rim the glass with chapulín salt or smoked salt to elevate the experience.

How to Prepare It Step by Step

• Prepare the glass
  Rim an old fashioned glass with lime and chapulín salt or worm salt. Set aside.
  
• Shake the ingredients
  In a shaker with ice, add the mezcal, lime juice, agave syrup, and a pinch of chili powder. Shake vigorously for 10–15 seconds.
  
• Serve and garnish
  Strain the mixture into the prepared glass with fresh ice. Garnish with a lime wheel or a slice of dehydrated orange.
  
• Gourmet optional
  For a bold touch, you can add one or two toasted chapulines as garnish or mix some chapulín powder into the rim salt. This enhances the Oaxacan connection and creates a striking presentation.

Why Choose Del Maguey Mezcal for This Cocktail?

Del Maguey’s artisanal mezcal comes from traditional villages in Oaxaca and other mezcal-producing regions. Its slow distillation in copper stills and natural fermentation in wooden vats create a unique flavor profile: subtle smokiness, mineral notes, citrus, and fresh herbs.

These qualities make it the perfect heart of the Chapulín cocktail, adding depth and authenticity to every sip.

Artisanal Mezcal that Honors Tradition

Del Maguey’s mezcales are handcrafted in single villages using ancestral methods. This brings a terroir-rich, smoky profile that enhances any cocktail—and truly shines in the Chapulín.

Flavor and Strength in Every Pour

With expressions ranging from 42% to over 50% ABV, Del Maguey offers mezcales that perfectly complement the bold flavors of chile and lime in this cocktail. Vida Clásico is the ideal choice: approachable, full-bodied, and crafted for mixology without compromising quality.