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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 love 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!

What is Mezcal?

Mezcal in essence, is a smoky flavored spirit, similar to tequila, originating from Oaxaca, Mexico. It’s made from agave, like tequila, but is processed a little differently. When making Mezcal, the agave hearts, or pinas, are grilled over hot rocks prior to distilling – which imparts a rich, earthy smoky flavor. It’s more for the grown-up palate – and may not be for everyone, but I personally love 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 altogether.

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 freshly squeezed grapefruit, mandarins, oranges, 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 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.

How to make a Mezcal Margarita:

Muddle jalapeno and cilantro in a shaker (both optional)
Add ice
add mezcal and triple sec
add lime juice and a squeeze of orange juice
add maple syrup
Shake and pour over ice!
Serve with lime.

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:

A Long Winters Nap

Hibiscus Margarita

Peach Sangria

Meyer Lemon and Thyme Gimlet

Mezcal Margarita

★★★★★ 5 from 7 reviews

Author: Sylvia Fountaine | Feasting at Home Blog
Prep Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 5 mins
Yield: 2 drinks
Category: Cocktail, Drink
Method: shaken
Cuisine: mexican

Print Recipe

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

4 –6 slices of jalapeno
a handful of cilantro sprigs (optional)
Juice from 1 lemon
Juice from 1 lime
Juice from 1 small mandarin or 1/2 an orange (optional)
3 ounces Mezcal or tequila (6 tablespoons)
1 ½ ounce triple sec or Orange liquor (3 tablespoons)
1–2 teaspoons maple syrup or honey syrup (maple is especially nice with mezcal)

Instructions

Fill a shaker with 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

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