This Mezcal Tonic cocktail combines the complex, smoky flavor of mezcal with the bittersweet botanical flavor of tonic water and sour lime to make a twist on the classic g&t.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Unique and refreshing flavor profile – the smoky flavor of the mezcal is perfectly balanced with sour lime and bittersweet tonic water.
- Easy to make – with just 3 simple ingredients that are very easy to find at any liquor or grocery store, it can’t get any easier.
- Versatility – this is a simple cocktail, but it’s also highly customizable. You can tweak the ratios of the ingredients to your liking or add extra flavors like a dash of simple syrup or herbs like rosemary or fresh mint leaves to enhance or diversify the flavor.
What is Mezcal?
Mezcal is known for its smoky flavor, which is achieved through the process of roasting the agave plant before fermentation. This unique, smoky taste gives the Mezcal Tonic a distinctive flavor compared to other agave plant liquors such as tequila.
For this cocktail, when mezcal is paired with the acidity of the lime and the bitterness of the tonic water, it creates a well-balanced, robust drink.
Ingredient Notes
Mezcal – this smoky, complex spirit with a unique flavor profile can be found in most liquor stores. I really like the Del Maguey brand for the flavor and price point.
Lime juice – fresh lime juice is essential to a good cocktail. Try not to use bottled, but if you must look for lime juice that is labeled as 100% juice and not from concentrate.
Tonic water – High-quality tonic water is also essential to making this cocktail great. Common high-quality brands like Fever Tree and Q Mixers are generally available in the cocktail mixing section of the grocery store or on Amazon. You can also opt for a tonic water concentrate that you mix with club soda.
Garnish – I like to garnish this cocktail with a lime wedge, which allows you to squeeze a little bit more lime juice into the cocktail and gives a nice aroma in your nose when you go to take a sip of the cocktail.
Expert Tips and Variations
- For a sweeter cocktail, add a touch of simple syrup, agave syrup, or a splash of orange juice. You can use regular oranges or for something a little extra special, try blood oranges. Pineapple juice would also be great!
- For a more complex bitter drink, try adding a few dashes of orange bitters.
- Try muddling a rosemary sprig, cucumber slices, or a mint sprig before adding your ice and ingredients for an unexpected twist.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Steps 1-2: Add the mezcal and lime juice to a cocktail glass filled with ice. I used a footed old fashioned glass (I couldn’t find the exact ones I used, but these Viski mezcal glasses are similiar), but a highball glass would work as well.
Steps 3-4: Top with tonic water and garnish with a lime wheel or wedge, if desired.
FAQ
What are some other good mixers to go with Mezcal?
Mezcal goes well with bright citrus, bitter, and/or sweet flavors. Mezcal does really well as a variation on many classic cocktails. For example, this Mezcal Tonic uses citrus and bittersweet flavors of tonic water. Then, there is a Mezcalita (or Mezcal Margarita), which uses bright citrus flavors. And, a Mezcal Manhattan combines the smoky mezcal with sweet vermouth and bitters for a deliciously complex spin on the classic.
What are some good brands of Mezcal?
Del Maguey has great flavor for a good price point. You can also try Montelobos or Ilegal Mezcal as well.
How strong is Mezcal?
Mezcal, like many distilled spirits, is typically around 40-50% alcohol by volume (ABV), which equates to 80-100 proof. However, this can vary depending on the brand and style of the mezcal. Some mezcals can be as strong as 55% ABV (110 proof) or more. It’s always best to check the specific bottle for the precise ABV.
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Mezcal Tonic Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces mezcal
- ½ ounce lime juice
- 3-4 ounces tonic water
- Lime slice or wedge for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Add the mezcal and lime juice to a cocktail glass filled with ice.
- Top with tonic water and garnish with a lime slice, if desired.
Notes
- For a sweeter cocktail, add a touch of simple syrup, agave syrup, or a splash of orange juice. You can use regular oranges or for something a little extra special, try blood oranges. Pineapple juice would also be great!
- For a more complex drink, try adding a few dashes of orange bitters.
- Try muddling a rosemary sprig, cucumber slices, or a mint sprig before adding your ice and ingredients for an unexpected twist.
Nutrition
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