ASp Cocktails

There are many cocktails for agave spirits. We have listed a few below (and some links) but there are hundreds available after a brief search. You can explore by modifying recipes for other spirits or creating your own. If you have one you really like send us the recipe and an image. We will include some on this page.

Paloma

Paloma is the archetype Mexican cocktail made with Agave Spirit (45mL), Lime Juice (15mL), Pink Grapefruit Juice, Ice and Soda (or sparkling Pink Grapefruit Soda). A variation is Paloma Negra (https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/drinks/g32616629/mezcal-cocktails/). This has 60mL Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur, 23mL mezcal & 37mL grapefruit juice & Tonic Water. The method is to stir all ingredients in a highball glass with ice, top with tonic water. Garnish with a half pink salt rim and a pink grapefruit slice.

Margarita

The Margarita is also well known with a great many variations. Often recipes use tequila but any agave spirit is suitable although each provides a slight taste difference. A standard recipe uses 60mL Agave Spirit, 30mL Cointreau and about 25mL of lime juice. Coarse salt and lime wheels are used for garnish. To prepare 2 drinks (double the recipe), run lime wedge around the outer rims of 2 rocks glasses and dip rims in salt. Set aside. In a cocktail shaker, combine Agave spirit, Cointreau, and lime juice. Fill with ice and shake until thoroughly chilled, about 15 seconds (the bottom of a metal shaker should frost over). Fill glasses with fresh ice and strain margarita into both glasses. Garnish with lime wheels and serve.

Negroni

Another popular cocktail is mezcal Negroni, in which the gin is replaced with the smoky agave spirit. The switch works well because mezcal is as assertive in its flavours as gin is, and it can stand up to tough companions like sweet vermouth and Campari. A number of different Agave spirits work well in this mix. This is really simple to make as it uses 30mL each of Agave spirit, sweet vermouth and Campari, with an orange twist for garnish. Simply combine liquid ingredients in a mixing glass three-quarters filled with ice. Then stir until chilled, strain into a chilled coupe glass and enjoy. But first Squeeze the orange twist over the surface, then slip it into the drink. Alternately, this drink can be served in a rocks glass over ice, also with an orange twist.

Mezcal Mule

This takes the Moscow Mule and replaces the Vodka with Agave spirit. A typical recipe would be 60mL mezcal, 15mL lime juice and 150mL of ginger beer. To prepare just add all ingredients to a mug (preferably copper, if you want the classic aesthetic) or Collins glass with ice, garnish with a lime wedge, and enjoy.

Tequila Mockingbird

This has such a wonderful name that it cries out to be tried. For this you will need 1/4 Teaspoon of minced ginger, 1 1/2 Teaspoons of Agave nectar, 30mL of fresh lime juice, a lime wheel & wedge as well as coarse salt and of course ~50mL of Blanco/Joven Agave spirit. To create rim one half of a chilled cocktail glass with lime and salt, muddle ginger in mixing glass, add remaining ingredients with ice and shake. Then strain into glass. Garnish with lime wheel and serve in a Cocktail Glass.

El Bandito

Another catchy name that could rob you of your sanity. To make, place a dried orange wheel into the rocks glass and pour 30mL of sherry and ~25mL of apricot liqueur into the mixing glass. Then add 2 dashes of orange bitters and 60mL of tequila or other Agave spirit. Fill the mixing glass with ice cubes and carefully mix with a bar spoon. Strain into the bottle and you are ready to go.

There are many cocktails, some variations on a theme, with more every day. Here are a few that you could check out on the web;

Tequila Mojito, Old Fashioned, Furiosa, La Cabraro, Lobo Negro, Smoky Diablo, Cafe Ahumande, Pechuga Tonic, Sin Nombro, La Cura, Pepe Collins, Splashback and, of course, Tequila Sunrise.

Let us know you favourites to add to this list.