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Mezcal cocktails have been my favorite winter drink. Combined with citrus, apple cider and maple syrup, this is one to celebrate.

Good mezcal cocktails are something to crow about and Manservant does them well. Of course, he knows his mescal and his tequila and I believe that in another life he would be perfectly happy mixing drinks all day.

It took me a long time to learn to like mescal and there are many that still are way too smoky for me, but mixed correctly and matched with the right mixers, mescal or mezcal, is a great drink. Manservant even loves to sip it straight!

I bet you are wondering how does mescal differ from tequila?

Tequila is made from only one variety of agave. Mescal or mezcal is made from over 28 varieties of agave. Each mescal is made in a rustic manner and it is said that each village has its own recipe. The agave is slow roasted in a pit and then distilled in small copper or clay stills.

Most of the mescal in the US comes from the Oaxaca region of Mexico, a place I’ve always wanted to go. Manservant wants the tequila and mescal. I prefer a more sedate journey to buy art!

Though I don’t post many cocktails, I didn’t want to let the year end without giving you this very respectable drink. After all the New Year is upon us and it is time to reflect and celebrate.

Frankly, the year was bittersweet for me and I am ready to turn to a new chapter. If there is anything I wish for all of you it would be a toast to good health. And to life. L’chaim. Let it be a great year!

Now, as to these mezcal cocktails: Manservant likes Pelaton de la Muerte mescal for this drink. It is soft on smoke and sweeter and richer tasting than tequila, which lends to the addition of apple cider and maple syrup.

With the citrus added, I’m not sure if that qualifies it to be a mescal sour, because I really don’t know the definition of a sour. I just know I love this drink.

When it comes to educating you on the nuances of a cocktail, well, I’d just say make one and see. I know nothing about making cocktails. Specifically mezcal cocktails. But I do know how to follow a recipe and thank goodness Manservant wrote this one down.

I bet you like it. I bet you love it. I bet you might even go out and buy a new bottle of mescal in time for the new year!

Which is exactly what I need to do before Manservant gets home!

A few things I used when making this drink:

I love these coupe glasses and though we got ours from Crate and Barrel, I think these are pretty close. As for shakers, this looks almost identical to ours. As for measuring that precious liquid, this is the one that Manservant uses. Now get to it!

Need a Few More?

The Mezcal Kiss