It pairs really beautifully with mezcal since they are made from the same plant.Īnother option is making a batch of simple syrup, which is easy to make with sugar and water. The best way is agave nectar, which is a sweet syrup made from the agave plant. You have a few options to add some sweetness to your homemade mezcal margaritas. For a top-shelf choice, Grand Marnier or Cointreau will give a more sophisticated flavor. Triple sec and curaçao are low-cost versions that are quite delicious. The sweet orange balances the sour lime flavors in the margarita. Orange LiqueurĬolorless orange liqueur gives a hint of orange flavor and another layer of complexity to any margarita. If you’re using fresh limes, cut a few wedges or wheels for garnishes for your cocktails. If you do this, skip the simple syrup in this cocktail. You may use homemade sour mix (make it into margarita mix by using all lime juice instead of part lime, part lemon) if you like. If you have the bottled concentrate, that works too. Using fresh citrus juice in a cocktail brings the best, zestiest flavor. Montelobos is a great budget bottle, around $30, whereas a bottle of Casamigos will run a bit pricer, around $60. Other popular brands are Doña Vega, Bozal, Neta, Dos Hombres, Mezcal Vago and Ilegal. Personally, my go-to brands are Del Maguey, Montelobos and Casamigos. We are lucky to have access to so many of the best mezcals, and it’s worth trying new ones here and there to see what you like. In the U.S., more than 120 brands of mezcal are sold, and there’s even more in Mexico. Here’s what to grab at the grocery store to make these mezcal margaritas. Tequila margaritas have a cleaner taste, but mezcal margaritas have layers of complexity that are worth exploring. It can be sipped on its own but it makes a mean addition to a cocktail. For example, mezcal is delicious in a mezcal mule, a smoky spin on the classic Moscow mule cocktail. That’s where mezcal gets its smoky flavor. Mezcal is produced in deep, stone fire pits that are underground and filled with wood and charcoal. For tequila, the agave hearts, called piña, are steamed in above-ground ovens. The production process for tequila is different than that of mezcal. But to be called tequila, it must be made from a specific variety of agave - the agave tequilana AKA the Blue Weber agave.īut that’s just one of the major differences between these two agave spirits. Mezcal can be made with more than 40 types of agave plants, even a combination of different varieties. It’s not the same as tequila however, tequila is a type of mezcal. Mezcal is a Mexican distilled spirit made from the agave plant. Trying mezcal in the traditional margarita recipe is a great way to get to know this complicated spirit.Mezcal adds a sophisticated, smoky flavor to a cocktail, but it can range in intensity.If you already know how to make a classic margarita, mezcal will be an easy addition.Mezcal, of which tequila is simply a type, makes for a smokier, more complex addition that’s worth a try. Tequila is often the only unchanging element, but its older sister shouldn’t go unlooked. There are so many ways to change up these popular cocktails, from adding more flavors (like the cranberry margarita) to switching up what goes on the rim to enjoying them as frozen margaritas rather than on the rocks. Tequila, lime juice and a little salt? Perfection in a glass. There’s not really a bad night for a good margarita. Margaritas are the stalwart behind taco night, Friday night, girls night.

Mezcal margarita recipes