Mezcal is a smoky and complex (yet often fruity) Mexican spirit that is made from different varieties of the agave plant. We are talking awesome and regionally expressive stuff here, not to be confused with the rotgut bottles of booze with worms floating in them. Often produced in very small quantities using rustic, time honored traditions and techniques, this spririt category has fast become the darling of barkeeps and mixologosts world wide! Mezcal can certainly be substituted in all of your favorite tequila recipes as a start. Below are a couple of H&F Bottle Shop original recipes to help jump start your foray into the world of deliciousness. C'mon in to get a printed copy of either of these recipes soon. Happy mixing!
Martineth - Features Del Maguey's "Vida" mescal made in the village of San Luis del Rio and distilled from the agave Espad�n, the genetic mother to Blue Agave.
1 � oz Del Maguey Vida mezcal
� oz Byrrh quina aperitif
2 dashes Bitter Truth Chocolate Mole Bitters
2 thin slices of cucumber for garnish
Combine the mezcal, quina, and bitters in a mixing glass, and add ice. Stir, strain into a chilled cocktail glass, and float the slices of cucumber on top.
Border Flowers - This light and citrusy number plays floral notes against the spicy pepper notes of the Fidencio Clasico Mezcal. Produced on a 120 year old estate in Santiago Matatlan-Oaxaca, Fidencio is a wonderful expression of rich pit-roasted Espadin agave.
1 & 1/4 oz Fidencio Clasico
1/2 oz fresh lemon
1/2 oz B.G. Reynolds' Hibiscus Grenadine
1/2 oz Dolin dry vermouth
1/4 oz Luxardo Maraschino liqueur
Shake all ingredients with ice and fine strain into a stemmed cocktail glass. Garnish with a long twist of lemon.
