Egg White Mezcal Cocktail: smoky, silky & foamy

There are cocktails you sip, and then there are cocktails you truly experience. The Egg White Mezcal Cocktail belongs to the second category. It combines the bold smokiness of mezcal with the creamy texture of egg white, resulting in a drink that feels refined yet approachable. 

The foam softens every sip, the citrus lifts the flavor, and the bitters add just the right finishing touch. It’s the kind of cocktail you’d expect to order in a speakeasy, but it’s simple enough to master at home.

What is a Mezcal Egg White Cocktail?

At its core, the Egg White Mezcal Cocktail is a variation of the traditional sour. The structure is familiar: spirit, citrus, and sweetener. What sets this version apart is the use of mezcal instead of tequila, which adds earthy and smoky undertones that give the drink a richer personality. 

The second element that makes it unique is the egg white, which transforms the texture by creating a smooth, velvety body and a foamy crown that looks as good as it tastes.

This combination results in a cocktail that is both rustic and elegant. The mezcal grounds it with depth, the citrus adds brightness, and the egg white ties everything together into a silky, balanced sip.

Ingredients

The magic of this cocktail is in the balance of ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 60 ml (2 oz) mezcal – Opt for a joven mezcal, ideally from espadín agave. Brands like Del Maguey Vida Clásico are perfect because they’re approachable yet full of smoky character.
  
• 30 ml (1 oz) fresh lime juice – Freshly squeezed makes all the difference. Lime adds sharpness that cuts through the smokiness.
  
• 20 ml (0.75 oz) simple syrup – You can also use agave syrup for a deeper, more authentic flavor.
  
• 1 fresh egg white – This is where the silky foam comes from. Pasteurized egg whites (or those sold in cartons for cocktails) are a safe and convenient option.
  
• 2–3 dashes of Angostura bitters – For garnish and aromatic complexity.
  
• Ice – To chill and dilute.

A cocktail-friendly mezcal should have smokiness without overpowering the other ingredients. Look for bottles around 40–45% ABV. A higher proof can work, but it’ll need careful balancing.

Egg white is what takes this cocktail from good to unforgettable. The proteins create a stable foam when shaken, which not only looks beautiful but also smooths out the cocktail’s edges. If raw egg white worries you, stick with pasteurized options, safer and just as effective.

Step-by-Step Recipe

Ready to shake? Here’s how to nail the perfect foam and balance:

Method:

1. Add mezcal, lime juice, syrup, and egg white to a cocktail shaker.
   
2. Dry shake (without ice) for about 15 seconds. This whips the egg white into a frothy base.
   
3. Add ice, then wet shake for another 15–20 seconds until the shaker is frosty.
   
4. Double strain into a coupe or rocks glass.

Dry shake vs. wet shake for the perfect foam

The dry shake is non-negotiable if you want that thick, stable foam. Skipping it will leave you with a flat top layer. Following with a wet shake not only chills the drink but also integrates dilution, which balances the strength of the mezcal with the acidity and sweetness of the other ingredients.

Garnish & serving ideas

Traditionally, a few drops of bitters are added on top of the foam and swirled with a toothpick to create a simple but striking pattern. You can elevate the presentation further with citrus oils expressed over the top, a dusting of freshly grated nutmeg, or even a smoked salt rim that enhances the mezcal’s earthy character.

Mezcal Sour Without Egg White (Vegan Options)

If you prefer not to use egg white, or you’re looking for a vegan alternative, there are excellent options that preserve the creamy texture. The most common substitute is aquafaba, the liquid from canned chickpeas. 

About 30 ml, or one ounce, is enough to mimic the foaming effect of egg white without altering the flavor of the drink. Other alternatives include cocktail foaming bitters or stabilizer syrups, though aquafaba remains the go-to choice for its natural and reliable results.

Variations You’ll Love

The beauty of the Egg White Mezcal Cocktail is that it’s endlessly adaptable. Once you’ve nailed the classic recipe, you can start exploring different flavors and aromas that highlight mezcal’s smoky character in new ways. From adding a touch of spice to infusing herbal notes or even experimenting with bitters, each variation gives the cocktail a fresh identity while keeping its silky, foamy essence intact.

Spicy or herbal twists

• Spicy Mezcal Sour: Add a slice of muddled jalapeño or a few dashes of chili bitters for heat.
  
• Herbal Mezcal Sour: Swap the simple syrup for honey syrup infused with rosemary or thyme.
  
• Amaro Mezcal Sour: Add a splash of Amaro (like Montenegro) to introduce bittersweet herbal complexity.