Mezcal Sour Recipe

Crafting a cocktail is like mixing a little magic, and this Mezcal Sour will have you feeling like a wizard in the kitchen—it’s smoky, zesty, and just the right amount of fancy for your next night in.

My Mezcal Sour is a perfect balance of smokiness and zest; it is a refreshing blend of 2 oz of mezcal, fresh lime juice, and a touch of egg white. Bitters add a delightful complexity.

And mezcal is the star. If life gives you limes, make Mezcal Sours.

Mezcal Sour Recipe Ingredients

• Mezcal: Adds a smoky depth; a distinct agave spirit specialty.
• Fresh Lime Juice: Provides zesty tartness; rich in vitamin C.
• Agave Syrup: Natural sweetness; lower glycemic index than sugar.
• Orange Liqueur: Optional; offers citrusy notes and smoothness.
• Egg White: Creates creamy texture; adds protein.
• Angostura Bitters: Aromatic complexity; herbal, spice-infused essence.

Mezcal Sour Recipe Ingredient Quantities

• 2 oz mezcal
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 3/4 oz agave syrup
• 1/2 oz orange liqueur (optional)
• 1 egg white
• A few drops of Angostura bitters
• Ice cubes
• Lime wedge or wheel (for garnish)
• Salt (for rimming the glass, optional)

How to Make this Mezcal Sour Recipe

1. If desired, rim your glass with salt. To do this, rub a lime wedge around the edge of the glass and then dip it in salt. Set the glass aside.

2. In a cocktail shaker, combine the egg white and ice and shake for about 10 seconds to froth the egg white. After shaking, pour the contents into a tiny cup.

3. Combine mezcal, freshly squeezed lime juice, agave syrup, orange liqueur (if using), and a handful of ice in a shaker.

4. Enclose the shaker and vigorously shake it for approximately 15–20 seconds to chill and mix every ingredient together.

5. Using a fine mesh strainer to catch any ice shards, strain the mixture into the prepared glass.

6. Permit the foam to rest atop the glass.

7. Place a few drops of Angostura bitters atop the foam for a garnish.

8. If you want, you can garnish with a lime wedge or wheel on the rim of the glass.

9. Immediately serve and savor your Mezcal Sour.

10. You may adjust the sweetness to your liking by decreasing or increasing the amount of agave syrup, depending on your preference.

Mezcal Sour Recipe Equipment Needed

1. Cocktail shaker
2. Measuring jigger
3. Knife (for cutting lime wedges)
4. Cutting board
5. Glass (for serving)
6. Plate or small dish (for rimming with salt)
7. Small cup (for holding frothed egg white temporarily)
8. Fine mesh strainer
9. Spoon (for adding garnish)
10. Citrus juicer or reamer (for juicing limes)

FAQ

• What makes mezcal different from tequila?Mezcal is a distilled spirit made from the agave plant. It is akin to tequila, yet it possesses a distinctive smoky flavor that often sets it apart. This flavor arises because mezcal is often made with varieties of agave that are not used in tequila (which is made only with blue agave) and because these other agave types (like tobalá, cenizo, or espadín) are not as sweet as the blue agave is. Mezcal is typically produced in limited quantities and enjoys a variety of flavors depending upon the agave type and the way in which it is distilled.
• Can I substitute the egg white in the Mezcal Sour?If you would rather not use raw egg white, you can use aquafaba, the liquid from canned chickpeas, as a vegan alternative to achieve a similar frothy texture.
• Is the orange liqueur necessary?The orange liqueur is not required, but it adds a delicate sweetness and elevates the citrus notes. You can absolutely leave it out for a more straightforward flavor.
• How do I properly rim the glass with salt?To coat the glass edge with salt, first moisten it with a lime wedge. Then dip the glass into a shallow plate of salt, making sure the salt sticks to the edge.
• What kind of glasses should I use for serving a Mezcal Sour?It is acceptable to serve a Mezcal Sour in either a coupe or rocks glass. The choice of glass can be based solely on which you prefer or on how you want the drink to look when you present it.
• Are there any alternatives to Angostura bitters?Though Angostura bitters are traditional, you can mix it up and use other aromatic bitters instead, such as orange or chocolate, to give your drink a different twist.

Mezcal Sour Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Use fresh lemon juice instead of fresh lime juice to create a different citrus profile.
Change agave syrup to simple syrup to create a different flavor profile and sweetness level.
Substitute triple sec for orange liqueur.
Egg white can be replaced with aquafaba for a vegan option.

Pro Tips

1. Use a dry shake technique to better froth the egg white: Before adding ice, shake the egg white with the other liquid ingredients (mezcal, lime juice, agave syrup, and orange liqueur if using) to create a rich, foamy texture, then add ice and shake again.

2. For enhanced flavor and presentation, use a large ice cube in the glass after straining the cocktail. This helps to keep the drink colder for longer without diluting it quickly.

3. If you enjoy smoky flavors, lightly torch the surface of the bitters for a brief moment before serving. Be cautious with open flames, and this will add an aromatic smoky element to the drink.

4. Experiment with flavored salts for rimming the glass, such as chili-lime or smoked salt, to complement the mezcal’s unique profile and add an extra layer of flavor.

5. Enhance the presentation by artfully swirling the Angostura bitters on top of the foam using a toothpick, creating a marbled or decorative pattern for a professional look.