Everything You Need to Know About the Rising Sun Cocktail

The Mezcal Rising Sun cocktail is a smoky and refreshing twist on the classic Rising Sun, one of our favorites mezcal cocktail recipes.

This post will guide you through creating this unique drink, perfect for mezcal enthusiasts and cocktail lovers alike.

What is a Mezcal Rising Sun Cocktail?

The Mezcal Rising Sun Cocktail is a vibrant and invigorating drink that blends perfectly the smoky complexity of mezcal with a refreshing citrus touch.

This cocktail combines mezcal with fresh grapefruit and lime juices, maraschino liqueur, and a pinch of salt, creating a beautifully balanced mix of smoky, tangy, and subtly sweet flavors.

Ingredients for a Mezcal Rising Sun Cocktail

.To make a Mezcal Rising Sun cocktail, you’ll need:

•  1 1⁄2 oz. Mezcal Vida Puebla
•  3⁄4 oz. fresh grapefruit juice
•  1⁄2 oz. fresh lime juice
•  1⁄2 oz. maraschino
•  Pinch of salt
•  Lime wheel, to garnish

These ingredients create the unique flavor profile of the Mezcal Rising Sun cocktail recipe.

Step-by-Step to make the Mezcal Rising Sun Cocktail

Follow these steps to create your own Mezcal Rising Sun cocktail:

1. Prepare the Shaker: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Combine Ingredients: Add the Mezcal, fresh grapefruit juice, fresh lime juice, maraschino liqueur, and a pinch of salt into the shaker.
3. Shake Well: Shake vigorously until the shaker is well-chilled and the drink is well-mixed.
4. Strain and Serve: Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass. We recommend using a coupe glass for this recipe.
5. Garnish (optional): Finish with a lime wheel for a touch of elegance and a to add another layer of citrus flavour.
   

Variations of the Mezcal Rising Sun Cocktail

While the classic Mezcal Rising Sun Cocktail is delicious, there are several variations you can try to mix things up

Spicy Mezcal Rising Sun

Add a dash of hot sauce or muddle a slice of jalapeño in the glass before mixing the other ingredients. This variation introduces a spicy kick that complements the Mezcal’s smokiness and adds a dynamic flavor profile, perfect for those seeking a hot but refreshing cocktail.

Mezcal Rising Sun Fizz

Top your cocktail with a splash of soda water to create a refreshing fizz. This effervescent twist lightens the drink and adds a lively texture, making it a perfect choice for those who enjoy a bit of sparkle in their cocktails. In our opinion, this variation is perfect for those new to the world of Mezcal, as it’s easier on the paladate.

Mezcal Sunset

Substitute grapefruit juice for orange juice to achieve a more tart and tangy flavor. This variation highlights the Mezcal’s smokiness with a zesty edge, offering a different take on the classic cocktail’s flavor profile.

Selecting the Best Mezcal for the Rising Sun Cocktail

For the Mezcal Rising Sun Cocktail, we recommend using a Mezcal made from the agave espadín variety, such as Del Maguey’s Vida Puebla. This particular Mezcal is renowned for its well-rounded flavor profile that beautifully balances smokiness and sweetness, making it an ideal choice to complement the other ingredients in this cocktail.

For those eager to explore different flavor nuances, Del Maguey’s Vida Collection offers various expressions of agave espadín mezcals. Each variant presents its own unique characteristics, allowing you to experiment and discover the perfect Mezcal to elevate your Mezcal Rising Sun Cocktail.

Pairing the Mezcal Rising Sun Cocktail with Food

The Mezcal Rising Sun cocktail pairs well with various dishes:

• Appetizers: Enjoy with light starters like ceviche or grilled fish tacos, which complement the cocktail’s smoky and citrus flavors.
• Grilled meats: The smoky notes of the mezcal complement barbecued flavors.
• Main Courses: It pairs well with grilled meats or spicy dishes that enhance the Mezcal’s complexity.
• Citrus-based desserts: The orange and smoke flavors enhance citrus sweets.A tangy citrus sorbet or a light fruit-based dessert can provide a refreshing finish.

History and Evolution of the Mezcal Rising Sun Cocktail

The Mezcal Rising Sun cocktail is a modern twist on the classic Rising Sun, which itself evolved from the popular Tequila Sunrise.

As mezcal has gained popularity in recent years, mixologists have been experimenting with replacing tequila with mezcal in classic cocktails.

This mezcal version adds depth and complexity to the original Rising Sun cocktail recipe, appealing to those who appreciate the unique, smoky character of mezcal.