Mezcal Margarita: When You Want Smoke Instead of Brightness

A mezcal margarita isn't a gimmick — it's a different drink entirely. The smoke replaces the brightness, and the agave sweetness gets deeper and earthier.

The pour

2 oz mezcal (Del Maguey Vida or Montelobos for the price, something funky like Berta for the flex). 1 oz fresh lime juice. 0.75 oz agave syrup. Shake with ice, strain over fresh ice, Tajín rim. Same ratio as a regular margarita — the mezcal does all the talking.

Don't add triple sec. Don't add fruit juice. The smoke is the point. If you can't taste the mezcal through the lime, you used too much lime.