Mezschool

4 Cocktails to Make at Home

We’re all spending more time at home these days. Garages have turned into gyms, guest rooms have turned into offices, and every space seems to be a bit more multifunctional. Oh, and of course—kitchens have turned into bars, too. We’ve also picked up new skills this year: bread making, record-breaking long walks around the block, TikTok dances, and—best of all—bartending. It’s been a year of firsts and a year of learning, that’s for sure. So, why not add Cocktail Connoisseur to the list? It’s easier than you may think (and a lot of fun too). Plus, you’ll be left with a delicious alcoholic drink at the end.

Why You Should Use Mezcal in Your Cocktails

Well, why not? Have you tried it yet?

If you have used Mezcal in your cocktails before, you understand how it can be tricky to convey the magic of it to a Mezcal-newcomer. If you haven’t tried it yet, well, it’s hard to convey the magic properly. But hey, that’s probably a part of the magic itself...

Maybe you just have to trust us and take a leap of faith. But here’s a little encouragement to help you get there.

It’s the perfect booze for any and all weather. Summer weather tends to associate itself well with spirits like vodka and tequila. Winter seems ideal for those more rich, dark liquors, like bourbon and brandy. Mezcal, however, never fails to be the perfect drink, any time, in any temperature, and you can absolutely use Mezcal in a classic tequila cocktail to spice things up a bit.

It’s made with only two ingredients. The beautiful thing about Mezcal is its simplicity in ingredients. Rosaluna is made purely with hand-selected agave and water. That’s it. No sweeteners, artificial colors, or additives of any kind. It’s gluten-free, non-GMO, vegan, zero carbs, plant-based, and carbon neutral. It’s the good stuff, plain and simple.

Last but not least, it’s made with love. How could we forget the third ingredient in our Mezcal: lots and lots of love. Rosaluna is handmade by a sister and brother duo whose family has been lovingly creating the spirit for over six generations. Rosaluna isn’t merely made. It’s crafted with love (and lots of it).

1. The New Fashioned

This is another old favorite with a new twist. What can we say? We love adding our unique touch (splash) to everything we do.

Recipe: The New Fashioned

You’ll need:

1.5 oz Reposado tequila
0.5 oz Mezcal Rosaluna
1 tsp Agave nectar
2 dashes Bitters
Garnish: Flamed orange peel

How to:

Add bitters, agave nectar, tequila, and Mezcal into a glass
Stir together to incorporate all ingredients
Add ice, stir to chill
Garnish with a flamed orange peel

That flamed orange peel to garnish? Sure, it’s a bit dramatic. But we love being a little extra from time to time.

2. Topo & Luna

If you like Topo Chico (which, let’s be real, how can anyone not?), you’re in for a real treat with this next drink because this is no mere soda water.

Topo Chico and Mezcal Rosaluna are a match made in heaven, and we aren’t over exaggerating. They go together like Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid, Harry & Spock, Han Solo & Chew. You get the idea. It just works.

Recipe: Topo & Luna

You’ll need:

2 oz Mezcal Rosaluna
Topo Chico (to taste)
1 pinch of Sea salt
Garnish: Lime wedge, orange, or grapefruit slice

How to:

Add Mezcal to a highball glass
Fill with cubed ice
Top with Topo Chico and stir

Garnish with a lime wedge, orange, or grapefruit slide, and a pinch of sea salt

Did you know that Topo Chico comes from the springs at Cerro del Topo Chico, in Monterrey, Mexico? That’s right, everything you need for this cocktail comes from within less than 900 miles of each other. From Mexico, with love, enjoy this Topo & Luna!

3. LFG

What goes better than the smoky, earthy flavors of Mezcal than a hint of spice? The jalapeño gives this cocktail a nice zing, while the honey rounds out the flavor for a complex, exciting sip.

Recipe: LFG

You’ll need:

2 oz Mezcal Rosaluna
0.75 oz Lime juice
0.75 oz Honey syrup
Garnish: One 0.25 inch thick jalapeño slice

How to:

Mix all your ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice
Shake until chilled
Add 2 oz of soda water to the shaker, and strain into a Collins glass
Garnish with jalapeño for a touch of added spice

Make sure you’re near some air conditioning because this cocktail is about to heat you right up.

4. Seventeen Fifty

Our six-generation farm in Santiago Matalán shows up to say hello in this cocktail because we’ve spent just that long perfecting our Mezcal. We might be mixing in some bougie European ingredients here, but you can still taste our Oaxacan roots loud and clear.

Recipe: Seventeen Fifty

You’ll need:

0.75 oz Mezcal Rosaluna
0.75 oz Lime juice
0.75 oz Aperol
0.75 oz Yellow Chartreuse

How to:

Add all ingredients, plus ice, into a cocktail shaker and combine
Strain into a chilled glass & enjoy

Aperol is all the rage for summer cocktails (looking at you, Aperol Spritz), but you can enjoy this delicious combination any time of year.

And That’s the Magic of Mezcal

We could go on about the magic of Mezcal all day long. It fits perfectly in everything from a Bloody Maria (a take on a Bloody Mary) with an extra squirt of hot sauce in your tomato juice to a classic Jalisco. But we genuinely believe you need to try it and see for yourself. It takes just one sip, of one cocktail, over one laugh with friends, and we’re sure this drink will steal your heart the same way it stole ours.

External Sources:

https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/12/world/meanwhile-in-america-april-10-intl-bread/index.html

https://www.topochicousa.net

https://tastecocktails.com/the-paloma-recipe-and-history-how-to-make-a-paloma-cocktail/