Against the Wall
We love a good margarita. Not one of those made with syrupy mixes - we want to taste real lime and (naturally) the tequila. Awhile ago we started experimenting with mezcal - a tequila-ish liquor. For more information about mezcal check out the Mezcal Phd blog, but in short: mezcal is an agave based liquor made in one of eight regions of Mexico. With artisanal mezcal (which is what you want to use), the "pina" from the agave plant are cooked in an underground, earthen pit lined with volcanic rock - which smokes, cooks and caramelizes them for days, imparting a deep smoky flavor. Mezcal can be a bit much on it's own, but we decided that the best approach was to balance it with tequila.
So here's a smoky version of the margarita - and a nod to our friends south of the border. We're calling this one "Against the Wall", and we think it will go well with your Super Bowl nachos!
Against the Wall
1 oz. Silver Tequila3/4 oz. Mezcal
1 oz. Cointreau
1 1/2 oz. fresh squeezed lime juice
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well for 30 seconds. Strain into a lowball glass filled with ice cubes and add a lime wedge.
The ingredients and the finished product! |
The cocktail from above |
Cocktail art in progress |
The agave plant |