Smoky mezcal, sweet fresh strawberries, and a little lime juice make this margarita the perfect boozy way to beat the heat this spring and summer. If you’re not familiar with mezcal, it’s made from distilled agave and tastes similar to tequila but with a subtle smoky flavor. Mezcal purists prefer to sip it straight, like a nice scotch, though its sultry smokiness works extremely well in a cocktail. I’d recommend you find yourself some plump Louisiana strawberries and mix up these margaritas for a delicious Cinco de Mayo holiday. The recipe can be doubled or tripled, ensuring you don’t run out, as hard as you may try.
Makes 1 Cocktail
2 oz mezal
¾ oz strawberry syrup (recipe below)
¼ oz Cointreau
¾ oz fresh lime juice
In a cocktail shaker full of ice, add the mescal, strawberry syrup, Cointreau, and lime juice. Place the shaker top securely and shake vigorously for about thirty seconds. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with a strawberry.
Strawberry Syrup
Makes enough syrup for about four cocktails
1 lb fresh strawberries, chopped
1/3 cup granulated sugar
Add the strawberries and sugar to a saucepan over medium heat, gently smashing the strawberries with a spoon on occasion, and let simmer for about ten minutes until the strawberries have turned a dark purple color and a thick syrup has formed. Remove from heat and strain out syrup, reserve the cooked strawberries for topping waffles or biscuits!
