Have you met my new friend, the mezcalita? She’s fun like a margarita, but smoky, spicy and more mysterious. I got to know her this summer on a trip to Mexico City.
The mezcalitas varied from restaurant to restaurant, but they were all more orange-forward than your standard limey margarita, with spicy salted rims.
Naturally, I figured out how to make my own mezcalitas when I got back. I discovered a small mezcal selection at a nearby liquor store (right by the tequila) and purchased a mild, mixable mezcal called Vida.
I went home and flipped the proportions of citrus juice in my favorite margarita recipe, to make them taste more like orange than lime.
Mezcalitas aren’t complete without a spicy, salty rim around the glass. I lined mine with either Tajín (a zingy Mexican salt and spice blend that you can find in the Hispanic aisle at the grocery store) or the chili powder-and-salt combination you see here.
I prefer Tajín, since the citric acid packs a sour punch, but chili powder and salt is an easy homemade option.
Up until Mexico City, I had crinkled my nose at Ali’s mezcal drinks and dismissed them as “too smoky.” I’m certainly no mezcal connoisseur yet, but I’m learning.
If you’re interested in mezcal, this drink is a great place to start! Please let me know how you like your mezcalitas in the comments. If you’re looking for tequila-based recipes, check out my collection of margarita recipes.
For more cold and refreshing cocktails, don’t miss my classic red sangria, Aperol spritz, and moscow mule recipes.
Mezcalita
- Author:
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Cocktail
- Method: Shaken
- Cuisine: Mexican
This fresh mezcalita recipe is made with orange juice, lime juice, and of course, mezcal! It wouldn’t be complete without the spicy, salted rim. Recipe as written below yields 1 cocktail, but you can make two to three at a time in your cocktail shaker.
Ingredients
- For the spicy rim: Tajín Clásico Seasoning or a mix of 2 parts kosher salt and 1 part chili powder
- Lime wedges, for lining the rim and garnish
- 1 ½ ounces mild mezcal (I recommend Del Maguey Vida)
- 2 ounces fresh orange juice
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- Optional: 3 dashes of orange bitters (for extra orange flavor)
- Optional: 1 to 3 teaspoons orange liqueur, simple syrup or agave nectar
Instructions
- To prepare your glasses: Pour some Tajín (or mix your salt/chili powder) on a small, rimmed plate. Run a wedge of lime around the top of each glass. Dip the top of the glass into the salt blend at a 45-degree angle and roll it from side to side to catch the salt. Add ice cubes to your glass and set it aside.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the mezcal, orange juice, lime juice, orange bitters (if using) and optional sweetener (I usually prefer mine without—you can always add to taste after shaking). Securely fasten the lid and shake well.
- Pour the mixture into your prepared glass and garnish with a lime wedge. Enjoy!
Notes
Recipe roughly adapted from my skinny margarita recipe.
Vegetable enthusiast. Dog lover. I'm probably making a big mess in my Kansas City kitchen right now. 
Nicole Perry
I’m so envious of your DF trip! I spent a long weekend there a couple years back and loved it — need to plan a return trip soon. What were some of your favorite spots?
Kate
I loved Mexico City! My favorite places: Lardo (French/Mexican cafe), Broka (fantastic food, amazing courtyard), Contramer (seafood, famous chef), Romita Comedor (for the drinks and atmosphere, NOT for the food), Condesa DF (the rooftop of the hotel has a great vibe and drinks/food), Mercada Roma is a must (you can sample food from lots of restaurants around the city there, don’t miss the churros in the back). Make reservations stat at Pujol and Quintonil (they’re on Open Table). Those are supposed to be the best restaurants in the city but I went on a last-minute trip and couldn’t get in. Another place that I’d like to go next time is Lalo, for brunch.
Nicole Perry
Oooh, reading your comment is making me even more eager to book a trip — bookmarked the spots I haven’t checked out yet :). When I was there, we went to Pujol and Contramar and they were both as amazing as their reputations suggest. (Cosme in NYC and Cala in SF are both excellent — if you’re traveling to either city, definitely book a table, they’re well worth it, albeit a bit more pricey than their respective Mexico City counterparts.)
Susan
I’ve been reading about Ali’s love affair with mescal, and still haven’t tried it, but I did find Tajin (one of the good things about living on the border with Mexico). At some point, I will get some mescal and start trying the drinks.
Kate
Thank you for commenting, Susan! Tajin is great on sliced cucumber, watermelon and orange! You might look on menus for a fruity mezcal cocktail, then you can try it before buying a bottle. :)
Gaby Dalkin
Ooooh, that salty and spicy rim looks FABULOUS!
Dana
This mezcalita looks so hot and yummy:) Thanks for sharing this great recipe. Great combination of tasty ingredients.
Megan Davis
That would be one hell of a tasty drink! I love it! I will definitely try this on our house party tonight. Thanks!
★★★★★
Kate
Thanks, Megan! Hope you enjoyed!
Chelsea
I fell in love with mezcal while in Playa del Carmen last new years… on restaurant we wandered into had this mezcal cocktail with honey that was SO GOOD. I wish I would have taken a photo of the other ingredients so I could have recreated it back home
Kate
That sounds so delicious!
Makos(@thehungrybites)
Hey, Kate!
I haven’t tried mezcal, but by looking at the rest of the ingredients I can tell that this will be the perfect ending to a spicy dinner! :-)
★★★★★
Kate
Thanks, Makos! :)
Russ Warn
These sounds great. I’m going to pick up everything to make them for a few guests we have coming over this weekend.
Kate
I hope you all enjoyed them!
Ashley Woodward
This sounds like a great idea for a girls’ get-together next weekend. And I’m kind of getting nostalgic just thinking about Mexico, some great memories… Thank you for sharing!
jamb
Followed recipe as written, simply incredible!! Big Up!!
★★★★★
Kate
Wonderful! Thanks for the review.
Marina S
Simple, yummy mezcal cocktail! I was craving a little pick-me-up with ingredients I usually have on-hand and this hit the spot. I didn’t use a shaker, worked well straight in the glass.
★★★★★
Nicole
Someone gave us a bottle of mezcal and I had no idea what to do with it! So glad I found this recipe… it’s delicious!
★★★★★
Annie
The best. What a great recipe. I’ve also followed the recipe but using 1 1/2 onces of regular tequila and .5 ounces of a strong mezcal and it works as lovely. No orange bitters for me but yes to a dash of agave. I keep coming back to recipe. Thank you!
★★★★★
Kate
You’re welcome! Thank you for sharing your variation, Annie.
Bill Summers
Very nice! I used fresh mandarin oranges, Sombra mezcal, 03 orange liqueur, Angostura orange bitters with your measurements. Big thanks for sharing your recipe!
★★★★★
DraeJ
Delicious recipe! Made even my cheap mezcal taste like the good stuff! Don’t skip the Tajin rim!
★★★★★
Kate
Thank you for your review, Drae!
John Carey
Nice combo! I grabbed some Monte Lobos and followed your recipe. With bitters and Tajin on the rim! Very nice. I can see lots of room for experimentation, too. Cheers!
★★★★
Kate
Thank you, John! I appreciate your review.
Alyssa
This is so so good! I bought some Del Maguey mezcal and I’ve been struggling to use it because it’s just so smokey. This drink was perfect! I can still taste the smokiness but it’s not overwhelming. The cirrus makes it so bright and drinkable. I’ll make it again for sure!
★★★★★
Kate
Great! I’m glad you enjoyed it, Alyssa.
Dan Martin
Kate–just made this tonight to celebrate our boys getting into the public school close to our house (not a given in CA). No more carseats and driving them to school!!! I stole all their mandarins which we use in school lunches. We just happen to have small lime trees on our patio. Bingo!!! Miraculously all the ingredients came together and it was fabulous. I even had orange bitters. You get bitter, smoky, sweet, spicy, and salty with this drink. It fires on all cylinders. Easy (except for juicing lots of mandarins) and clear instructions. Thanks!
★★★★★
Kate
That’s great! I love that you celebrated with these.