Cocktails with Mezcal
Mezcal is a Mexican agave spirit with its own denomination of origin, made from dozens of agave species. In traditional styles the hearts are roasted in earth-and-stone pits before fermenting, and that is where the smoke comes from.
ABV35–55%Traditional mezcals run strong, and a good one is often 45–48%.
Substitutes for Mezcal
Where mezcal shares the base with tequila, simply replace its share with more tequila.
This is the nearest swap, in the same amount. The agave stays, though the smoke goes.
Tequila and peated Scotch
To bring some smoke back, replace a barspoon of the tequila with peated Scotch. The smoke will be peat rather than roasted agave.
On the label
- Espadín / Tobalá / ensamble
- The agave. Espadín is the common, cultivated one (approachable, affordable); wild agaves like tobalá grow slower and cost more; "ensamble" is a blend of several.
- Artesanal / Ancestral
- How it is made, under NOM-070. "Artesanal" allows a tahona or mill and clay or copper pot stills. "Ancestral" is the oldest way: the agave is crushed by mallet or tahona and distilled in clay pots only. The fibers may go into the still. Plain "mezcal" allows industrial methods and usually gives less smoke.
