Spirits Mezcal 12 Mezcal Cocktails for Any Season By Food & Wine Editors and Nikki Miller-Ka Updated on February 8, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Victor Protasio Mezcal is made from the heart of the agave plant, but given that there are more than 200 known species of this succulent, it makes sense that no two mezcals taste exactly the same. These mezcal cocktails play on the vast range of flavors that the spirit offers, so grab your favorite bottle and start experimenting. From a Smoky Mezcal-Fig Sour to a reinvented version of the classic margarita and even a spiked coffee, read on for more fantastic mezcal cocktails that bring out the best made with the smoky agave spirit. 01 of 12 Smoky Mezcal-Fig Sour Victor Protasio This cocktail from 2021 F&W Game Changer Ashtin Berry rounds out smoky mezcal with spicy-sweet fig-ginger syrup and bright lemon juice. Mezcal is still the dominant flavor in this barely sweet drink that lets the liquor shine. Get the Recipe 02 of 12 Tawny Little Blood © Lucas Allen New Orleans bartender Kirk Estopinal riffs on the spicy, citrusy Mexican drink called sangrita using rich, nutty tawny port and mezcal. "The smoke and brine in mezcal love port," he says. Get the Recipe 03 of 12 Mezcal Margarita Victor Protasio Smoky mezcal brings depth to a classic margarita. A combination of slightly sweeter Combier and mildly bitter Cointreau balances the floral orange notes in the drink. Double the Cointreau if Combier is unavailable. Get the Recipe 04 of 12 Tamarind-Mezcal Sour Photo by Greg DuPree / Food Styling by Margaret Dickey / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen Smoky mezcal and savory bitters are rounded out by sweet-tart lemon juice and tamarind puree in this punchy cocktail. Add pineapple fronds, edible flowers, sliced star fruit, and orange peel for a tropical-themed garnish. Get the Recipe 05 of 12 Mezcal Negroni Victor Protasio This riff on the classic gin and Campari cocktail has an earthy richness courtesy of smoky mezcal. Carpano Antica Formula vermouth is full-bodied and flavored with herbs and spices, lending dry, barely sweet flavor to this Negroni. Cocchi Americano and a generous citrus garnish bring a light, citrusy bite. Get the Recipe 06 of 12 Miso Mary Libertine Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Christine Keely An ode to Japanese ingredients, this Bloody Mary gets a satiating and savory punch from shiro dashi and white miso. Reach for mezcal instead of vodka here to add surprisingly welcome smoky notes. Get the Recipe 07 of 12 Sour Cherry Mezcal Margarita Photo by Kelsey Hansen / Food Styling by Lauren McAnelly / Prop Styling by Sue Mitchell This fruity spin on a margarita combines smoky mezcal, citrusy Cointreau, and sweet-tart cherry puree in a vibrant red drink perfect for late-summer sipping. Bright, pleasantly tart sour cherries are in season for a limited window, so this simple roasted puree is an easy way to preserve their flavor. Get the Recipe 08 of 12 Division Bell © Tina Rupp This drink was one of the 20 tequila and mezcal cocktails on pioneering East Village bar Mayahuel's opening menu. The name references the Pink Floyd album that Phil Ward listened to over and over while constructing the bar. Get the Recipe 09 of 12 Honey Trap GUILLERMO RIVEROS Smoky, sweet, tart, and pleasantly warming, the Honey Trap is the perfect autumnal cocktail for a tequila lover. Get the Recipe 10 of 12 Oaxacan Coffee Victor Protasio With a float of whipped cream and just enough sweetness to temper the bitter coffee and herbal notes in the mezcal, this spiked coffee cocktail is well-balanced and fortifying. Get the Recipe 11 of 12 Naked & Famous © Lucas Allen "Because there is so little mezcal in this cocktail, choosing a big, aggressively smoky bottling is key," says bartender and spirits expert Joaquín Simó. He opts for Del Maguey's nicely complex Chichicapa. Get the Recipe 12 of 12 The Palomaesque Cocktail © Con Poulos The Paloma is a classic Mexican cocktail made with lime juice, tequila, and grapefruit soda. Scott Baird, the mixologist who created this drink for Comal in Berkeley, makes his version with smoky mezcal, fresh grapefruit juice, and Cocchi Americano, the sweet Italian aperitif wine. Get the Recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit