Mezcal isn’t just tequila’s smoky cousin., it even has its own holiday!But let’s be honest: limiting your exploration to the warmer months or even National Mezcal Day just isn’t enough. Whether you’re a devoted fan or just starting to explore its earthy flavors, mezcal cocktails brings a whole new depth to your happy hour.
So why not keep the celebration going? These festive cocktails are perfect for cooler nights, holiday gatherings, or whenever you’re craving something a little smoky and complex.
Party Punch
A vibrant party punch, combining the earthy richness of mezcal with bright citrus flavors, perfect … [+]
Ideal for a gathering, this punch blends sweet, tart, and earthy flavors. Pomegranate and blood orange add brightness, while mezcal brings a rich, smoky base.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups Dos Hombres Mezcal
- 1 ½ cups Pomegranate Juice
- ½ cup Fresh Orange Juice
- ¼ cup Lime Juice
- ⅛ cup Orgeat Syrup
- 2 cups Blood Orange Soda
Instructions: Add all ingredients to a punch bowl with ice. Stir well to incorporate, and garnish with orange slices, lime slices, and pomegranate seeds.
Colón 508
From Cuna Restaurant at Mundo Imperial, Mérida, Mexico
The Colón 508 pairs perfectly with seafood, bringing out mezcal’s smoky complexity with every sip.
A signature cocktail at Cuna, this drink highlights the bold flavors of Mexico with tamarind and morita chili syrup, offering a perfect balance of sweet, sour, and smoky. Pair it with grilled seafood or spicy tacos to enhance the mezcal’s complex flavors.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Montelobos Espadín Mezcal
- 1 oz House-Preserved Tamarind
- 0.75 oz Yucatecan Lime Juice
- 0.5 oz Morita Chili Syrup
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a lime wheel.
Oaxacan Coffee
Rich, smoky, and slightly bitter, this Oaxacan Coffee cocktail is the perfect after-dinner drink.
This cocktail marries the smoky notes of mezcal with the bold flavors of coffee and chocolate bitters. Perfect for a fall evening, it’s smooth, rich, and slightly bitter.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz Dos Hombres Mezcal
- 1/4 oz Demerara Syrup
- 1 oz Cold Brew Coffee
- 3 Dashes Chocolate Mole Bitters
- 3/4 oz Amaro
Instructions: Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube. Garnish with an expressed orange peel.
Passionfruit Paloma
A bright and tangy Paloma with passionfruit and mezcal.
This refreshing paloma brings tropical vibes with a punch of passionfruit and mezcal. It’s bubbly, tangy, and perfect for a warm autumn afternoon.
Ingredients:
- 1 oz Mezcal Unión Uno
- 1 oz Red Verjus or Aperol
- 1 oz Passionfruit Syrup
- Fever Tree Sparkling Grapefruit (to top)
Instructions: Add all ingredients to a highball glass filled with ice. Top with Fever Tree Sparkling Grapefruit and garnish with a passionfruit half.
Perfect Mezcal Martini
An elegant mezcal martini with a smoky kick, perfect for cocktail connoisseurs.
A smoky twist on a classic martini, this cocktail is both elegant and bold. The combination of mezcal with celery bitters and yellow chartreuse creates an unforgettable flavor profile.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz Dos Hombres Mezcal
- 1 Dash Celery Bitters
- 0.5 oz Yellow Chartreuse
- 1 oz Dolin Blanc
Instructions: Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.
M+M (Montenegro + Mezcal)
A bartender’s favorite: the M+M mixes mezcal and Amaro Montenegro for a perfect balance of smoky and … [+]
A simple yet sophisticated cocktail, the M+M pairs mezcal with the rich, herbal notes of Amaro Montenegro. It’s the bartender’s secret for those who want something both smoky and sweet.
Ingredients:
- 1 part Amaro Montenegro
- 1 part Mezcal
Instructions: Stir and strain over ice. Garnish with an orange peel.
Nights Burn Bright
A refreshing mezcal cocktail with watermelon, cucumber, and lime—bringing a bright burst of flavor
Inspired by the sensory experience of the Met Gala, this cocktail brings together vibrant flavors of watermelon, cucumber, and lime. Slightly sweet with a hint of smoke, it captures the brightness of the night and the freshness of a new day.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz Dos Hombres Mezcal
- 0.5 oz Aloe Vera Liqueur (Chareau)
- 0.25 oz Agave Nectar
- 1 oz Fresh Watermelon Juice
- 0.75 oz Cucumber Purée
- 0.75 oz Lime Juice
- Garnish: Cucumber Slice
Instructions: Add all ingredients to a shaker and shake vigorously. Fine strain into a rocks glass over ice. Garnish with a cucumber slice.
Whether you’re mixing up a crowd-pleasing party punch or savoring a carefully crafted cocktail like the Colón 508, there’s no better way to celebrate National Mezcal Day than by exploring its bold, layered flavors. So grab a bottle, shake things up, and let mezcal take center stage. Cheers to smoky sips and unforgettable nights!