7 Mezcal Cocktails You’ll Want To Sip Winter Long

by · Forbes
If you missed National Mezcal Day, don’t worry—mezcal is always in season.getty

Mezcal isn’t just tequila’s smoky cousin., it even has its own holiday!But let’s be honest: limiting your exploration to the warmer months or even National Mezcal Day just isn’t enough. Whether you’re a devoted fan or just starting to explore its earthy flavors, mezcal cocktails brings a whole new depth to your happy hour.

So why not keep the celebration going? These festive cocktails are perfect for cooler nights, holiday gatherings, or whenever you’re craving something a little smoky and complex.

Party Punch

A vibrant party punch, combining the earthy richness of mezcal with bright citrus flavors, perfect ... [+] for sharing with friends.Dos Hombres

Ideal for a gathering, this punch blends sweet, tart, and earthy flavors. Pomegranate and blood orange add brightness, while mezcal brings a rich, smoky base.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups Dos Hombres Mezcal
  • 1 ½ cups Pomegranate Juice
  • ½ cup Fresh Orange Juice
  • ¼ cup Lime Juice
  • ⅛ cup Orgeat Syrup
  • 2 cups Blood Orange Soda

Instructions: Add all ingredients to a punch bowl with ice. Stir well to incorporate, and garnish with orange slices, lime slices, and pomegranate seeds.

Colón 508

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The Colón 508 pairs perfectly with seafood, bringing out mezcal’s smoky complexity with every sip.Cuna

A signature cocktail at Cuna, this drink highlights the bold flavors of Mexico with tamarind and morita chili syrup, offering a perfect balance of sweet, sour, and smoky. Pair it with grilled seafood or spicy tacos to enhance the mezcal’s complex flavors.

Ingredients:

Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a lime wheel.

Oaxacan Coffee

Rich, smoky, and slightly bitter, this Oaxacan Coffee cocktail is the perfect after-dinner drink.Dos Hombress

This cocktail marries the smoky notes of mezcal with the bold flavors of coffee and chocolate bitters. Perfect for a fall evening, it’s smooth, rich, and slightly bitter.

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 oz Dos Hombres Mezcal
  • 1/4 oz Demerara Syrup
  • 1 oz Cold Brew Coffee
  • 3 Dashes Chocolate Mole Bitters
  • 3/4 oz Amaro

Instructions: Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube. Garnish with an expressed orange peel.

Passionfruit Paloma

A bright and tangy Paloma with passionfruit and mezcal.Mezcal Union

This refreshing paloma brings tropical vibes with a punch of passionfruit and mezcal. It’s bubbly, tangy, and perfect for a warm autumn afternoon.

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz Mezcal Unión Uno
  • 1 oz Red Verjus or Aperol
  • 1 oz Passionfruit Syrup
  • Fever Tree Sparkling Grapefruit (to top)

Instructions: Add all ingredients to a highball glass filled with ice. Top with Fever Tree Sparkling Grapefruit and garnish with a passionfruit half.

Perfect Mezcal Martini

An elegant mezcal martini with a smoky kick, perfect for cocktail connoisseurs.Dos Hombres

A smoky twist on a classic martini, this cocktail is both elegant and bold. The combination of mezcal with celery bitters and yellow chartreuse creates an unforgettable flavor profile.

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 oz Dos Hombres Mezcal
  • 1 Dash Celery Bitters
  • 0.5 oz Yellow Chartreuse
  • 1 oz Dolin Blanc

Instructions: Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.

M+M (Montenegro + Mezcal)

A bartender’s favorite: the M+M mixes mezcal and Amaro Montenegro for a perfect balance of smoky and ... [+] sweet.Amaro Montenegro

A simple yet sophisticated cocktail, the M+M pairs mezcal with the rich, herbal notes of Amaro Montenegro. It’s the bartender’s secret for those who want something both smoky and sweet.

Ingredients:

Instructions: Stir and strain over ice. Garnish with an orange peel.

Nights Burn Bright

A refreshing mezcal cocktail with watermelon, cucumber, and lime—bringing a bright burst of flavorDos Hombres Mezcal

Inspired by the sensory experience of the Met Gala, this cocktail brings together vibrant flavors of watermelon, cucumber, and lime. Slightly sweet with a hint of smoke, it captures the brightness of the night and the freshness of a new day.

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 oz Dos Hombres Mezcal
  • 0.5 oz Aloe Vera Liqueur (Chareau)
  • 0.25 oz Agave Nectar
  • 1 oz Fresh Watermelon Juice
  • 0.75 oz Cucumber Purée
  • 0.75 oz Lime Juice
  • Garnish: Cucumber Slice

Instructions: Add all ingredients to a shaker and shake vigorously. Fine strain into a rocks glass over ice. Garnish with a cucumber slice.

Whether you’re mixing up a crowd-pleasing party punch or savoring a carefully crafted cocktail like the Colón 508, there’s no better way to celebrate National Mezcal Day than by exploring its bold, layered flavors. So grab a bottle, shake things up, and let mezcal take center stage. Cheers to smoky sips and unforgettable nights!

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