Classic Mezcalita

Mexico City had been on my travel bucket list for a while because every cocktail person I trust kept telling me the same thing: you need to go. When I finally made the pilgrimage, I spent my days exploring neighborhoods, popping into beautiful spaces, and saying yes to mezcalitas.

So here is my definitive guide to the Mezcalita, with different variations for you to try at home. The key takeaway: Everyone needs to be making more Mezcalitas this year.

Jump to…

• Watch Video
• How to Make It
• Mezcalita vs. Margarita
• Ingredients
• Tips
• Reasons to Love
• Variations
• Recipe

Watch Me Mix a Guava Mezcalita

Let’s Make a Mezcalita

1. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, mezcal, key lime juice, orange liqueur, and orange juice.
2. Shake and double strain into a chilled glass rimmed with citrus salt.

Mezcalita vs. Margarita

A classic margarita is made with tequila + lime juice + orange liqueur + (optional) sweetener.

A classic mezcalita is made with mezcal + key lime juice + orange liqueur + orange juice.

The switch to key limes and addition of orange juice works in a mezcalita because the smokiness of mezcal needs more acidity and sweetness to balance it out. Mezcal really does have a strong flavor and aroma.

Mezcalita Ingredients

Mezcal

Let’s think of mezcal as tequila’s rebellious cousin. Where tequila must be made from blue agave, mezcal can be made from any variety of agave, even wild varieties! It is made from the agave hearts and roasted in pits, giving it that characteristic smoky flavor and aroma. It is then fermented and distilled in copper or clay pots. Unlike tequila, mezcal is not a spirit I would ever take a shot of, but it’s perfect for mixing into cocktails.

There are four main types of Mezcal:

1. Joven (Blanco) is clear and un-aged.
2. Reposado is “rested” in wood for up to one year.
3. Añejo is aged, meaning it is rested in wood for for longer than reposado, usually 1-3 years.
4. Mezcal de Pechuga is a unique kind of flavored mezcal that is distilled with fruits and/or spices.

Check out my Mezcal Guide to learn more and get bottle recommendations!

Orange Juice

If it’s not fresh-squeezed, I don’t want it! A classic mezcalita can go from really delicious to really awful if you don’t use fresh citrus juice. So do yourself a favor and buy the freshest orange you can find. Cara Cara and navel oranges both work. Hell, maybe even try it with blood oranges and see what happens! Mezcalitas are made with orange juice because it softens the smokiness of the mezcal, making it juicier and more approachable.

Orange Liqueur

Orange Liqueur, like Cointreau triple sec, is a quintessential margarita ingredient, and since we’re making the very similar mezcalita, we need some orange liqueur here, too. It keeps that classic margarita backbone and marries perfectly with the orange juice.

Key Lime Juice

Margaritas just use your everyday lime, or Persian lime. But the mezcalita uses key limes, which are smaller and give the cocktail a punchier tartness with a more limey aroma. If you can’t find key limes, use regular limes and maybe add a little more juice than the recipe calls for so it’s tart and balanced.

Tips for Making the Best Mezcalita

• Always always always use fresh squeezed citrus juice. So that’s fresh orange and lime juice for your classic mezcalita!
• Make sure all your ingredients are super cold before you start mixing them all together. Your mezcalita won’t dilute with ice as quickly if it’ starts out cold.’s cold to begin with.
• Shake the ingredients in a shaker with ice until the shaker is nice and frosty.
• Mezcal really ranges in its level of smokiness so the kind you choose will impact the taste of the mezcalita. Check out my Mezcal Guide for brand recommendations.

Why You’ll Love a Classic Mezcalita

• Well, if you love mezcal (and you already make your margaritas with mezcal instead of tequila anyways) you’re going to love a mezcalita!
• Margarita lovers will adore a mezcalita. Even if you think you don’t love mezcal. The fresh orange juice really brightens it up and balances the smokiness.
• Just like a margarita, a mezcalita is super easy to make. Just measure, shake, strain, sip.
• It’s the perfect cocktail for Super Bowl parties, pool days, Taco Tuesday, and Cinco de Mayo celebrations.

Mezcalita Variations