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Smoky Mezcal Margarita Recipe
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This mezcal margarita is a smoky twist on the classic margarita cocktail and has quickly become my go-to drink to make at home. By combining mezcal with tequila, you get balanced smoky flavor without overpowering the bright citrus notes of fresh lime juice. The result is a smooth, refreshing mezcal margarita recipe that’s perfect for happy hour, taco night, or entertaining at home.
Pair this twist on a classic Mexican margarita with some beer battered fish tacos. If you are entertaining check out my batched margarita recipe found here. If you’re a fan of mezcal try this 3-step mezcal bloody Maria!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Smoky but refreshing. It’s a smoky twist on a classic margarita that feels elevated but still refreshing.
- A balanced cocktail. Blending mezcal with tequila keeps the flavor balanced — smoky without being overpowering.
- Perfect for entertaining one or many. Easy to scale for a crowd or shake up for a quick happy hour cocktail.
Key Ingredients in This Recipe
- Mezcal – Mezcal has a distinct taste that gets it’s flavor from slow-roasted and distilled hearts of agave plants – it’s tequila’s smokier cousin.
- Tequila – When choosing a tequila, I use tequila blanco also known as silver tequila in my margaritas. Look for a higher end brand (trust me it will help with your hangover the next morning) – the label should say 100% agave.
- Triple sec – Triple sec is a sweet, clear, orange liqueur made with 15%-40% alcohol from sweet and bitter orange peels. Cointreau is a type of triple sec. It’s a higher end label with a higher alcohol content than most other triple secs.
- Agave – Rather than adding simple syrup to my margaritas I add a bit of agave. It’s a natural sweetener and is what is fermented to make tequila. You can also use simple syrup or honey in its place.
A full ingredient list with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Pro tip
Taste and adjust before serving! Mezcal brands vary in smokiness, so adjust sweetness as needed.
Swaps and Substitutions
- Mezcal: Use all mezcal for a stronger smoky flavor, or all tequila for a more traditional margarita.
- Cointreau: Swap orange liqueur (like Cointreau or triple sec) with fresh orange juice for a lighter, less boozy version.
- Sweetness: Use additional agave syrup or simple syrup to adjust sweetness to your preference.
- Lemon: Try lemon juice in place of lime for a slightly different citrus profile.
- Jalapeño: Add fresh jalapeño slices for a spicy mezcal margarita variation.
- Sparkling: Make it sparkling by topping with a splash of club soda for a lighter cocktail.
Serving & Garnish Ideas
- Serve in a classic rocks glass over fresh ice for a traditional presentation. I love a thicker glass tumbler like this.
- Garnish with a lime wheel or wedge for a simple, clean look.
- Add a charred lime half for a subtle smoky aroma that complements the mezcal.
- Try a tajín or chili-salt rim for a spicy, citrusy kick.
- Float a thin slice of jalapeño for a smoky-spicy variation.
How to Make a Mezcal Margarita
- Add salt to a glass. Add kosher salt to a small bowl wide enough for the mouth of the glass to fit in.
- Rim the glass with salt. Rub the lime wedge around the rim of the glass then dip in the salt.
- Add ingredients to shaker with ice. Add the tequila, mescal, triple sec, lime juice and agave to an ice filled cocktail shaker.
- Serve. Shake vigorously then pour over the tumbler filled with ice.
Other Recipes to Try
If you enjoy this mezcal margarita recipe, I recommend checking out some of these:
Tried it? Loved it? Tweaked it? Leave a review below and tell me how it went – I’m all ears (and always hungry).
Mezcal Margarita
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Ingredients:
- Coarse kosher salt, as needed
- Lime wedges
- 1 ounce silver tequila
- 1 ounce mezcal
- 1 ounce triple sec
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ½ ounce agave
Instructions:
- Add kosher salt to a small bowl wide enough for the mouth of the glass to fit in.
- Rub the lime wedge around the rim of the glass then dip in the salt.
- Add the tequila, mescal, triple sec, lime juice and agave to an ice filled cocktail shaker.
- Shake vigorously then pour over the tumbler filled with ice.
Notes:
Nutrition:
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