Hi, friends! It’s cocktail time! This week I bring you this easy and delicious mezcal orgeat cocktail. It’s rich, smoky, and a tiny bit nutty. Also, it only take takes 5 min and a handful of ingredients to make, which means that it’s perfect for entertaining.
The Inspiration
This cocktail was inspired by a Japanese cocktail, which is traditionally make with orgeat, a type of syrup made from almonds, and cognac. If you would like to know more about this quirky cocktail and its history, check out this post.
Rather than using cognac, I used mezcal to add a hint of smokiness. Mezcal is a spirit made by cooking down the heart of the agave plant. It has been made the same way for hundreds of years in Mexico, and the best varieties usually come from Oaxaca. If you have never tried mezcal, I would advise that you start by trying Vida by Del Maguey. It’s an affordable, smooth mezcal that goes well with everything because it’s not too funky.
The Method
This mezcal orgeat cocktail doesn’t requiere a lot of time or effort. I usually put all of the ingredients in a cocktail mixing glass and stir them together. You then strain the mixture into an old fashioned glass containing a large ice cube.
If you are feeling lazy, however, you can just build the cocktail in the glass that you intend to drink it in. You don’t need an ice sphere like the one I used, but if you think that it’s super cool and want to make your own, you can purchase the molds here.
I hope you enjoy it!
Here are some other mezcal cocktails that you might like:
Mezcal Orgeat Cocktail
This mezcal orgeat cocktail gets some smokiness from mezcal and some nutty richness from orgeat, a syrup made from almonds. You can make it in a cocktail mixing glass and then strain it or make it in the glass itself if you are feeling lazy.
Ingredients
- 1.75 oz mezcal (I used Vida)
- 0.25 oz orgeat
- 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
- 2 dashes of cardamon bitters
- Orange ribbon to garnish
Directions
- Step 1 Put all of the ingredients in a cocktail mixing glass and stir together until combined.
- Step 2 Put a large ice cube in an old fashioned glass. Pour the mixture through a small strainer into the glass.
- Step 3 Alternatively, you can stir the cocktail in the glass you intend to serve it in and add a large ice cube after stirring.
- Step 4 Garnish with an orange ribbon and serve immediately.
If you like this recipe, please make sure to pin it, share it on social media, or email it to your friends. Don’t be shy! People are always grateful for some cooking inspiration 🙂
Also, if you have any questions or just want to let me know that you liked the recipe, please leave a comment below. Hearing from other adventurous home cooks always makes my day!
Mezcal cocktail that will mean that this cocktail was invented in Mexicali, Mexico which is not too far from me in San Diego. Is it also some kind of Tequila?
It’s similar to tequila, but smoky. I give a short explanation of its origins in my post if you are interested in learning more about mezcal. 🙂
I have never heard of Mezcal before. This sounds like an interesting and delicious combination. I wonder if we can purchase it here in Canada. I will look next time I am at the store.
You probably can. Mezcal is everywhere these days! 🙂
I think this is such an interesting cocktail with a lot of different flavors. Never heard of cardamom bitter before, but it sounds delicious!
It adds complexity to any cocktail. I hope you try it!
This looks like a great alternative to regular summer cocktails. Adding to my ‘recipes to try” list. The reicpe itself seems pretty easy. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks! I hope you like it!
Well this seems an interesting cocktail, will pass it on to a friend who I am sure will enjoy it
Thank you for sharing it! 🙂
I have never tried Mezcal, Orgeat or Cardamom bitters before. Not sure if I can find them here in Italy! But this cocktail sounds delicious! I’ll have to see if I can source the ingredients. I love trying new drinks!
You can make your own bitters if you can’t find them, and they last forever! Amazon also carries them now, and you might even be able to find orgeat there as well.
can imagine the flavor the cardamom bitters added 🙂
It’s very subtle, but it does make a difference. 🙂
Tequila and smoke are two of my favorite flavors and somehow I have never tried Mezcal! This seems like the perfect cocktail for an introduction, because I’m 100% sure I will love it. Thanks for a great recipe!
I bet you are going to love it! 🙂
This looks absolutely delicious and refreshing! I’m just getting into making cocktails and it’s such fun!
Thank you, Stephanie!
I’ve never heard about mezcal before but this sounds refreshing.
It has such a unique flavor! You can also substitute it with tequila if you can’t find it in your area.
I rarely comment on recipes but you KIIILLLED it with this one! We love mezcal and I made this for my husband as part of his birthday celebration using Mezcal Union. It was perfect. Excellent recipe!
I’m so happy this was a hit at your party, Sam! Thank you so much for the positive feedback 🙂