Smoky Mezcal Margarita Recipe with jalapeno, cilantro and lime… spicy, complex and so refreshing – designed for the “grown up” palate. If you like Scotch, you’ll loooooove this!
I must confess, this Mezcal Margarita has been happening a lot around here lately. Our catering season started off with a bang a few weeks ago, and by the end of the day all I want to do is get home, put my feet up, sit outside on the patio and sip one of these delicious babies… a Mezcal Margarita with muddled jalapeño, cilantro and fresh lime. So flavorful and refreshing!
Mezcal if unfamiliar is a smoky flavored tequila which I’ve fallen head over heals in love with. It’s more for the grown up palate – and may not for be for everyone, but I personally loooooooooove it.
And if it’s possible to “healthify” a cocktail (I know that’s not a word, but it should be) I’ll always try to do that. I’ll show you one of my secrets.
To keep it a bit healthier, omit the sugar-based simple syrup and mixer all together.
Substitute maple syrup (or honey) for simple syrup and always always always use fresh squeezed citrus. Slices of jalapeño give just a bit of heat and few sprigs of cilantro add an overall refreshing “green” flavor.
To change it up a bit, I’ll add either fresh squeezed grapefruit, mandarins, clementines, tangerines, or sliced cucumber into the shaker. Here’s the basic recipe, but please, have fun and make it your own. You also could make fancy flavored salts for the rim. Chile salt, chipotle salt, smoked salt, mandarin salt, lime salt, …..you get the idea.
Mezcal, if unfamiliar, hails from Southern Mexico, most commonly from Oaxaca region, and is similar to tequila in that it’s made from the same agave plant, but here’s the difference. When making Mezcal, the agave hearts, or pinas, are grilled over hot rocks prior to distilling – which imparts a rich smokey flavor. I happen to love this, but I know it’s not for everyone.
Mezcal adds another dimension to margaritas, making them much more complex, and in my opinion, sultry and alluring. If you are a strawberry margarita kind of person, Mezcal will not be for you, but if you like more complex flavors like whiskey or scotch, this is right up your alley!
And yes, it’s a bit of a splurge. Sometimes I’ll use a mix of both reposado tequila and Mezcal tequila, for just a hint of the smokiness, and to help with the budget, especially if pouring for large gatherings.
OK…. if I haven’t totally managed to talk you out of it ….here’s the recipe. It’s perfectly fine to substitute a good quality tequila in its place, or to even use both, some of each, to cut down on the smokiness.
Cheers!!!
Sylvia
P.S. Here are a couple of my other favorite cocktails:
Mezcal Margarita
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 5 mins
- Yield: 2 drinks
- Category: Cocktail, Drink
- Method: shaken
- Cuisine: mexican
Description
A delicious “healthier” recipe for Mezcal Margaritas- with fresh limes, jalapeno, cilantro and a hint of maple syrup…smoky, spicy and oh so refreshing! Designed for the “grown up” palate. If you like Scotch, you’ll love this.
Ingredients
- Juice from 1 lemon
- Juice form 1 lime
- Juice from 1 small mandarin ( optional)
- 3 ounces Mezcal or tequilla ( 6 T)
- 1 ½ ounce triple sec or Orange liquore ( 3 T)
- 1–2 teaspoons maple syrup or honey syrup (maple is especially nice with mezcal)
- 4 –6 slices jalapeno
- handful sprigs cilantro ( optional)
Instructions
- Fill a shaker jalapeño and cilantro. Muddle. Add ice to ⅔ full. Squeeze the lemon, lime, mandarin. Add the Mezcal, triple sec and maple syrup.
- Shake well and taste- adjusting sweetness and lime. Find the right balance ( for you!).
- Divide among two small salt rimmed glasses, pour over ice, or strained and serve up.
- Prepare to melt into your chair.
Notes
If using other citrus instead of lime ( like orange, mandarin or grapefruit) you may need less maple syrup. If using just limes, you may need more. So taste it! 🙂
To make the salt rim, rub the rim of a glass with the used, squeezed lime half and dip into plate of salt. Smoked salt or chili salt is a nice touch.
2 Tablespoons = one fluid ounce
To make honey syrup, heat 2 parts honey with one part water in a little sauce pot, just warm enough to be able to mix.
Nutrition
- Calories: 255
Keywords: mezcal margarita, mezcal margarita with jalapeño, spicy mezcal margarita, cilantro margarita, spicy margarita recipes, mezcal recipes
We are staying safe at home and I was wanting my favorite cocktail from my fave restaurant. Since this isn’t possible I thought I’d try the next best thing. I went on the hunt and found your recipe, purchased the necessary ingredients and ohemmmgeee… so delicious. Thanks for the easy to follow directions as well as the pictures! Cheers!
★★★★★
Cheers Lindy!
Delicious!! For some reason I have not made many mixed drinks and your recipes have been a great introduction. I used a large hinged mason jar to shake this up and it worked really well. Sylvia, I appreciate the great instructions you provide with your recipes. This was wonderfully refreshing.
I made your lovely Hibiscus margaritas with ginger and lime too! Without sounding like a lush, I will say I am looking forward to peach season more than ever so I can try the peach sangria recipe!! Thanks for delightful ways to stay cool and embibe!!
★★★★★
Haha, this made me laugh. The Peach Sangria is sooooooo tasty.
Balanced flavors!
★★★★★
One of our favorite cocktails. Love the jalapeno and cilantro
★★★★★
Absolutely delicious!
★★★★★
Super refreshing. Have to like cilantro though
★★★★★
This was so good! I made it just like the recipe says and loved it! I’ll definitely be making it again. It’s so fresh tasting.
★★★★★
Hi Kelli! Im so glad you like it~!
https://scontent-syd2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18268399_1387564567970569_4293041908311701672_n.jpg?oh=4627e34b8f833ff2c42630eca794d47f&oe=59B93C5C
I love Mezcal-Maragitas… just had some delicious Margaritas with eucalyputs in Copenhagen. Extract of the eucakyptus root… very interesting.
P.S. Your glasses look much better than the classic glasses. Where are they from?
Target 😉