Spicy Pom Mezcalita

Sometimes the weather just calls for a dark and brooding drink. Even better, a smoky one. This drink is built on the backbone of a margarita, but relies on seasonal favourite pomegranates to give it that winter flourish.

December 4, 2023

By CSL Staff

City Style and Living Winter 2023 Spicy Pom Mezcalrita — / K&S Media

Ingredients

MARGARITA

2 ounces pomegranate juice

2 ounces mezcal

1 ounce triple sec

0.5 ounce lime juice

0.5 ounce chili simple syrup

2 dashes of bitters

SIMPLE SYRUP

1 cup water

1 cup granulated sugar

4 Fresno chilies, chopped

Method

1. Simple Win

Make the simple syrup by combining ingredients in a pan over medium heat until simmering. Strain chilies, cool and reserve the syrup.

2. Great Combo

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker half filled with ice, and shake vigorously for 30 seconds.

3. Serve

Strain contents into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a chili and wedge of lime.

What is the difference between a margarita and mezcalita?

While a margarita uses tequila as the main spirit of choice, a mezcalita is made with it’s smoky sister spirit, mezcal. Mezcal is is made from any number of different varieties of agave while tequila is made from blue agave.

Garnish
For extra pizazz rim the glass. First moisten with agave and then dip in tajin.

Swap the Chilies
Try this recipe with different types of chilies in the simple syrup. Guajillo will round out the smokiness of the mezcal with a faint sweetness, chile de árbol will add an intense piquancy while a jalapeño or Thai chili will add freshness and lingering heat. Fresno chiles are mild enough to impart a slight zing, but not offensively hot.