This post is about an old fashioned cocktail.
This post may contain affiliate links, please see our disclaimer for details.
It's hard to beat a mezcal margarita. The smoky flavor is completely unique! This recipe is one of our staples for a few reasons...This mezcal margarita recipe blends the delicious mezcal flavor with tequila, lime, agave, and our secret ingredient to turn it pink!
It's a classic mezcal margarita, but the pink color adds something super fun to the drink. It looks like it should be an overly sweet based on the color, so the smoke flavor really surprises people. It makes for such a fun & unique hosting drink! (Don't worry, you can totally just make one for yourself too.)
This post is about an old fashioned cocktail.
What Makes A Good Old Fashioned Cocktail?
Making a good tasting mezcal margarita is quite simple! To make a mezcal margarita you simply need a good mezcal, a good tequila, some fresh limes, & agave. Balancing your mezcal margarita is the same process as a regular marg. You just need the right amount of sweet, acid, and bite from the tequila.
We turn ours pink using a special ingredient, but this doesn't impact flavor at all. If you'd prefer yours to not be pink, simply skip that part of the directions.
Whiskey vs Brandy
Technically, all tequila is mezcal. No that's not a typo. I always used to assume that mezcal was just a variation of tequila. Mezcal is actually a term that is referencing spirits made from the agave plant. Tequila is a specific type of mezcal that is only made from blue Weber agave plants.
Mezcal is known for its very smoky flavor. It gets its smokey flavor from roasting agave in underground pits. (Worth remembering for a great convo piece next time you're hosting!)
Both tequila & mezcal are categorized by their aging process:
- Blanco: Unaged.
- Reposado: Aged 2-12 months in oak barrels.
- Añejo: Aged one year or more in oak barrels.
- Extra Añejo: Aged more than 3 years in oak barrels.
Looking for something else?
Old Fashioned Ingredients:
1. Mezcal
You can get a really delicious mezcal for a great price. If you're local to a good liquor store, I always like to ask for a recommendation.
2. Reposado Tequila
The tequila plays a big role in the flavor of the drink, so go for a bottle you really enjoy.
3. Fresh Lime Juice
Fresh lime juice is a non-negotiable for a margarita. Don't skip on this part!
4. Agave Syrup
Agave is what sweetens the margarita. It pairs so well with a margarita because agave plants are what tequila is made from!
5. Cointreau
Cointreau adds another layer of flavor and subtle orange brightness to the drink!
6. Ube Powder
Ube powder is made from purple sweet potato. As weird as it sounds, it doesn't impact the flavor of the drink at all because you use such a small amount. It's used to dye foods and drinks or provide a unique garnish. It will give your margarita that beautiful pink color while keeping the delicious smokey flavor the same!
Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe:
1. Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake for 20 seconds, until well-chilled & ube powder is fully incorporated.
2. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
3. Garnish with a lime wheel. You can also add a salted rim to your glass if preferred. (Smoked flake salt is a fun add!)
Mezcal Margarita FAQs:
Can you make a mezcal margarita without cointreau?
You can! If you'd like to skip the flavor all together, just leave it out. The drink might be a bit flat without it, so you can sub in a little fresh squeezed orange juice for added brightness too.
What does a mezcal margarita taste like?
Delicious! Aside from that, the margarita will have a smoky flavor. Mezcal is distinctly smoky. This recipe has a little smoke, subtle sweetness, and limey citrus flavor.
Is a mezcal margarita spicy?
No. It will taste like a normal margarita with a stronger smoky flavor.
What makes it pink?
Ube powder! I buy this exact one on Amazon. It's made from purple sweet potatoes. There is no flavor, it's simply for adding a unique color to your drink without gross chemicals & dyes.
Is making a mezcal margarita easy?
Super easy! It's basically a simple fresh margarita recipe with an extra liquor. It's a very beginner-friendly cocktail that looks much more complex than it is.
Can you sub another liquor in place of tequila?
Not really. This drink is really for someone who enjoys the flavor of tequila. It calls for both mezcal & a reposado tequila, and you truly need both for a balanced drink. You could sub in a blanco tequila if you're short on reposado.
What do you serve a margarita in?
We prefer a rocks glass! I always buy this set from Amazon - they're affordable, but look/feel so expensive. If you plan on blending your margarita, you could serve it in a traditional margarita glass.
What do you garnish a mezcal margarita with?
A fresh lime wheel is perfect! If you want to be a little fancier, you could dry out some lime wheels beforehand.
Blueberry Margarita Recipe
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 margarita 1x
Description
These jammy blueberry margaritas are so delicious! If you’re looking for something subtly sweet & perfect for a summer afternoon, these are for you! (P.S. the batched pitcher recipe is in the blog post above!)
Ingredients
- 2 oz – reposado tequila
- 1 oz – fresh lime juice
- 1/2 oz – agave syrup
- 1/4 oz – Cointreau (or orange liqueur)
- 1 large bar spoon – blueberry jam (or blueberry syrup)
- Ice
- Fresh blueberries (for garnish)
- Salt or sugar for rimming (optional)
Instructions
1. Rim your glass: Zest a little lime into sugar or salt on a plate (I love sugar!). Use a lime wedge to get the edge of your drink wet, then dip it into your sugar or salt mixture.
2. In a shaker, add all your ingredients (tequila, lime juice, agave syrup, cointreau, and blueberry jam) along with ice. Shake intensely for 20 seconds.
3. Double strain into your glass over fresh ice.
4. Garnish with a cocktail pick of blueberries & enjoy!
Notes
If you’d like to use a different liquor, I’ve outlined the recipe adjustments in the blog post above.
Additional notes can be found in the blog post above.
This post was about a mezcal margarita.
Might we suggest...
A classic cocktail staple with a little chemistry twist. This Old Fashioned with Orange Air will have your guests’ jaws on the ground.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my content & family.
What even is an Old Fashioned with Orange Air?
Have you seen Drink Masters on Netflix, or have you been living under a rock!? This cocktail was inspired by one of their challenges on the show & it’s my new OBSESSION. They use this product called soy lecithin to create “air”. The possibilities with this “air” in food & drink are never ending. Prepare to see a whole lot more in future recipes. It’s definitely worth adding to your list of hosting tips & tricks.
It’s called “air” because it’s such a light consistency. “Foam” doesn’t do it justice because it’s so much lighter. It’s also nothing like “bubbles” because it doesn’t pop that easily. “Air” is exactly right & I’m confident you’ll agree after trying it!
It’s shockingly a great party drink. You can prep the air a bit, and it’s SUPER fast to make or bring back to life when sitting out.
What you need to know about using soy lecithin…
It’s much easier than you’d expect. You barely need any, so make sure you add it sparingly. Start with less than you need, you can always add more. If you add too much, you’ll taste it.
You can use soy lecithin for a multitude of purposes – the possibilities for cocktails/mocktails alone are endless. The kind we use is right from amazon. I linked it here, in case you want to grab the same one!
If you leave it out while enjoying your first round of drinks, you can bring it back to life with a little blending. You can always add a little soy lecithin back in too if it needs it.
A Few Of My Must-Have Bar Items
The old-fashioned is a frequented beverage at our house – we are in WI after all! However, I cannot stand a Wisconsin-style old-fashioned. When it comes to an old-fashioned, it’s prohibition style or nothing for me. When I’m serving a prohibition style old-fashioned, I always serve it out of a rocks glass – here are the ones we own & love. They’re ornate & durable. We also love to use these when we have a drink that has a prettier composition (like this gorgeous “air”)!
For large ice cubes – this is our go-to mold for a clear cube. It uses directional freezing. Since they take a little longer to freeze, we stock up on the cubes for whenever we host more people. You really need to serve the “air” over a single cube or no ice if you want to extend its life.
This is the staple mixing glass that I adore. It’s so elegant, and won’t drive you crazy sitting out on your counter. If you don’t already have one, we use this basic budget bar set currently.
As always, enjoy responsibly! 21+.
Old Fashioned With Orange Air
Total Time: 6 minutes
Yield: 1 Cocktail (Enough “air” for ~5 drinks) 1x
Description
A classic cocktail staple with a little chemistry twist. This Old Fashioned with Orange Air will have you & your guests' jaws on the ground.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 g soy lecithin
- 175 g freshly squeezed orange juice
- 3 dashes bitters (angostura or orange)
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- 2 oz quality bourbon
Instructions
Orange "Air"
- Squeeze fresh orange juice into a flat bottomed dish or bowl.
- Slowly add part of the soy lecithin to the orange juice.
- Mix on medium high with an immersion blender or hand mixer.
- Continue adding soy lecithin and mixing until "air" holds shape.
- Let air stand for 1 minute (or while you make your cocktail) to stabilize.
Old-Fashioned
- In a mixing glass, combine bitters & simple syrup until combined.
- Add bourbon & a handful of ice. Stir for 30 seconds.
- Strain into a rocks glass over one large ice cube.
- Top with "air".
- Enjoy!
- Category: Drinks
Leave a Reply