Mezcal Sour
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This mezcal sour is a refreshing and approachable way to enjoy the taste of mezcal. It’s balanced, smoky, and smooth with the familiar tartness of a sour cocktail. It’s made with just four ingredients, and it’s ready in 5 minutes!
Mezcal is one of my favorite spirits, and this mezcal sour sits right at the top of my list when I’m craving a balanced, not-too-sweet cocktail. The combination of smoky mezcal, bright citrus, and gentle sweetness hits that same satisfying note as a whiskey or bourbon sour, but with a distinctly mezcal twist that makes it feel a little more special.
It’s also wonderfully easy to make. All you need is a jar or cocktail shaker, some ice, and four simple ingredients—shake everything hard to build that soft foam, then strain it into a chilled coupe glass. If you already love mezcal, another cocktail you’ll want to keep in rotation is my mezcal margarita recipe.
The drink itself is built on classic sour principles: mezcal for depth, fresh lemon juice for acidity, agave to round things out, and cocktail foamer (or egg white) for that creamy, frothy finish. Garnished simply with a dried citrus wheel or lemon peel, it’s an elegant, refreshing sip that works any time of year.
How to make dried citrus wheels
In the photos, I garnish my mezcal sour with a dried citrus wheel. They’re easy to make and well worth the small extra effort, especially if I’m mixing a few cocktails for a crowd.
To make them, I thinly slice lemons or limes and arrange the slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet. I set the oven to its lowest temperature (mine is 170 degrees Fahrenheit) and let the citrus slowly dehydrate for a few hours, keeping a close eye on them toward the end. Once they look dry, I pull them out of the oven—they’ll crisp up as they cool. If any are still pliable once cooled, I pop them back into the oven for a little longer.
They keep for ages in the pantry, and I usually store them stacked in small mason jars. You can often find dried citrus wheels at the grocery store, but they’re pricey, which is why I prefer to make them myself.
Use them to decorate cocktails, cakes, cookies, and more. You can even string them together with twine to decorate your home around the holidays!
Recipe FAQs
Should I use bitters in this sour?
Because the mezcal is already quite complex, I omit the bitters in this sour cocktail recipe. That said, if you’d like to add a few drops of Angostura bitters for an extra zip of flavor, you certainly can.
Can I make it ahead of time?
Because of the foamy head, this cocktail is best made immediately before serving. Luckily, it’s very simple to make.
Can I use a different sweetener?
I use agave syrup as it blends easily into the drink. If you want to use honey or sugar, you’ll need to dissolve it in a small amount of hot water first.
Mezcal Sour Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ounces mezcal
- 1 ounce lemon juice
- 1 ounce agave
- Cocktail foamer (or egg white)
- Dried citrus, lemon slice, or strip of lemon peel (to serve)
Instructions
- Add a handful of ice to a cocktail shaker or mason jar and then add the mezcal, lemon juice, agave syrup, and cocktail foamer or egg white.2 ounces mezcal, 1 ounce lemon juice, 1 ounce agave, Cocktail foamer
- Put the lid on tightly then shake hard for at least 30 seconds to create foam.
- Strain into a coupe glass then garnish with a dried citrus wheel, a slice of lemon, or a strip of lemon peel.
Video
Nutrition
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Good specs, but I would definitely recommend dry shaking the ingredients before adding the ice and shaking a second time
I made these for a family gathering and everyone absolutely loved them. So good and unique.