History & Heritage
“The Mezcal Margarita emerged during the craft cocktail renaissance of the early 2000s as bartenders began exploring agave spirits beyond tequila. While lacking a single documented inventor, its popularity grew alongside the mezcal boom, following influential cocktails like Phil Ward's Oaxaca Old Fashioned (2007) at Death & Co. The drink serves as a perfect gateway for introducing drinkers to mezcal's unique smokiness and complexity, transforming the familiar margarita template into something both approachable and sophisticated.”
Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Optional: create a salted rim by running a lime wedge around the glass edge and dipping in kosher salt
Add mezcal, fresh lime juice, agave nectar, and Cointreau to a cocktail shaker
Fill shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds until well-chilled
Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice
Garnish with a fresh lime wheel
Glassware
Rocks glass over fresh ice
Garnish
Fresh lime wheel
Flavor Journey
Every great cocktail tells a story through its flavors. Here's the sensory experience you can expect.
Sweet
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Sour
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Bitter
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Strong
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Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Use 100% agave mezcal for the best flavor
Fresh lime juice is essential—never use bottled
Shake vigorously with plenty of ice for proper dilution and chilling
Balance is key—the mezcal should shine without overwhelming the other ingredients
Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Mezcal Margarita.
Smokier
Increase mezcal to 2.25 oz and reduce orange liqueur to 0.25 oz for more smoke-forward profile.
Changes
Sweeter
Increase agave nectar to 0.75 oz for those who prefer more sweetness.
Changes
More Tart
Increase fresh lime juice to 1 oz for extra brightness.
Changes
Spicy Mezcal Margarita
Muddle jalapeño slices in the shaker before adding other ingredients.
Changes
Pineapple Mezcal Margarita
Add fresh pineapple juice for tropical complexity.
Changes
Split Base
Use half mezcal and half blanco tequila for a more approachable smokiness.
Changes
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
Mezcal Tommy's
A modern classic that elevates its parent cocktail, the Tommy's Margarita, into a more complex and contemplative experience by substituting mezcal for tequila.
Spicy Margarita
A modern classic that elevates the beloved Margarita with a piquant kick, perfectly balancing the tartness of lime, the sweetness of orange liqueur, and the fiery warmth of fresh jalapeño.
Mezcal Paloma
A smoky reinvention of Mexico's beloved Paloma, where mezcal's earthy complexity transforms the classic grapefruit highball into a sophisticated, layered cocktail.