Mezcal Margarita Recipe

Two mezcal margaritas with salt, a bowl of limes and a blue and white striped towel are in the background.

Course: cocktails

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: mezcal margarita, mezcal margarita recipe, mezcal margaritas

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 0

Total Time: 5

Servings: cocktail

Calories: 220kcal

This simple mezcal margarita recipe is made with freshly squeezed lime juice to let the smoky flavor shine through. Add a traditional salt rim, or experiment with something spicy or earthy.

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Equipment

Ingredients

2 ounces mezcal
½ ounce orange liqueur
1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
½ ounce simple syrup or agave syrup
margarita or kosher salt for the rim
lime wheels for garnish

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Instructions

To make the simple syrup, combine ½ cup water and ½ cup sugar in a small sauce pan and place over low heat. Stir constantly until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat to cool.
Juice the limes and set aside. Thinly slice some lime wheels.
Pour a bit of the simple syrup onto a small plate. Put a layer of margarita salt or kosher salt on another plate. Dip the rim of the glass into the simple syrup, then into the salt and carefully fill it with ice.
Pour the mezcal, lime juice, orange liqueur, and simple syrup into a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously until cold. Pour into glasses, garnish with a lime wheel and serve immediately.

Notes

Keep the limes at room temperature: You will get little to no juice from cold citrus, but at room temperature you'll get lots! It also helps to press down gently on the limes with your palm and roll them around on the counter before juicing.
Cocktails with juice should be shaken: We do want to shake mezcal margaritas with ice to chill them, yes, but also to dilute them a little bit and balance the sharpness of the citrus.
Simple syrup works best for the rim: Don't use a lime to rim your glass! The salt will stick much quicker and better to the simple syrup. AND it will be much neater, since you can control how deeply you dip into it, as opposed to running a giant lime wedge around the edge of the glass. (Another great former bartender tip!)
Make simple syrup ahead: This is more simple syrup than you will need for a couple of drinks. You can make it up to 3 weeks ahead and store it in the refrigerator to use in lots of other drinks.
A mezcal margarita makes a great batch cocktail: To make ahead for a party, put all of the ingredients in a pitcher without ice and stir to combine. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

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