Cocktail

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Fresh, fruity, and a hint of heat is what you'll experience with every sip of this spicy mezcal cocktail.

Take your favorite smoky liquor to a new level with this spicy mezcal cocktail.

Mezcal Cocktail with A Kick

When I'm looking to shake up happy hour, I reach for one of two things: mezcal or jalapeños! But why choose between the two when you can have both!

While my mezcal Margarita is a crowd-pleasing favorite, sometimes I need an extra kick of something! That's why I decided to combine the best of both worlds to make this spicy mezcal cocktail. It's bold in flavor, and the jalapeños provide just the right amount of heat to keep you coming back for more!

Ingredients

Everything you need to make this spicy drink will be listed in the recipe card below, but before you make any swaps, see why each ingredient is needed:

Jalapeño slices: these provide that delicious kick of heat in this cocktail.
Orange juice: freshly squeezed or store-bought; either will work.
Simple syrup: for a bit of added sweetness.
Mezcal: use your favorite brand.
Sparkling water: or Topo Chico, I recommend using the lime flavor!
Garnish: Tajín for rimming, lime or lemon slices for garnish.

How to Make a Spicy Mezcal Cocktail

Grab your shaker, and let's get shakin'! Here is how to make the best spicy mezcal cocktail, with a few additional tips in each step to ensure the best results:

Prep the glass
If you enjoy a Tajín-coated rim, you'll want to start by prepping your glass first so you can enjoy your drink right after shaking it up.
Release the spicy
In a cocktail shaker, muddle the jalapeño rounds to release their spice. You know they are muddled enough when you start to smell the spice.
Make the cocktail
Add all the required ingredients to the cocktail shaker, making sure to leave out the sparkling water until the end. Shake until the sides of the glass are fully frosted.
Serve & Garnish
Give your cocktail a good strain as you pour the shaken mixture into your prepared glass. Top with your bubbly finish, and garnish with a lemon or lime slice. Enjoy!

Spicy Garnish Ideas

I love adding jalapeño slices to cocktails to add a kick of heat! Other spicy garnish ideas include peppers such as serrano or habanero, a Tajiñ-coated rim, and even a dash or red pepper flakes for the perfect finishing touch!

What to Serve with This Tasty Cocktail

Hosting guests? Serve this spicy mezcal cocktail with Cajun shrimp tacos or these Jamaican jerk chicken tacos, and for the perfect finishing touch, top everything off with my spicy guacamole!

More Mezcal Cocktail Ideas

If mezcal cocktails are your happy hour go-to, you'll love a mezcal mule, a mezcal paloma, this mezcal bloody Maria, and for a low-calorie twist, my skinny mezcal Margarita.

Spicy Mezcal Cocktail

Servings: 1

Prep Time: 5

Total Time: 5

Fresh, fruity, and a hint of heat is what you'll experience with every sip of this spicy mezcal cocktail.

5 from 5 votes

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Ingredients

2 jalapeño slices
2 ounces orange juice
½ ounce simple syrup
2 ounces mezcal
Sparkling water or Lime Topo Chico
Tajín for the rim

Instructions

Prep:

If you enjoy a spicy salted glass, prep the rim of your glass by rubbing a lime wedge along the rim. Dip in tajín salt and set aside.

Shake it up:

Add the jalapeño rounds (slices) with or without the seeds (the seeds add heat) inside a cocktail shaker. Add the orange juice -to have some liquid at the bottom of the shaker- and use a muddler to release the jalapeño juices and its heat.
Add the simple syrup and the mezcal to the shaker. Fill it halfway with ice cubes and shake vigorously for about 30 seconds until the sides are fully frosted.

Serve:

Fill the prepared glass with fresh ice. Strain the mezcal cocktail through the strainer and pour it into the prepared glass. Top it off with Topo Chico.

Notes

Make a pitcher of this spicy mezcal cocktail that serves 8 by blending half of a small jalapeño with 1 cup of orange juice. Strain the spicy mixture into a pitcher, leaving the jalapeño pulp behind. Add ½ cup simple syrup, 1 cup of mezcal, and another 1 cup of orange juice to the pitcher. Stir with ice, chill for an hour, then pour over ice, top each glass with sparkling water, and serve. For a milder version, add the jalapeño rounds into the pitcher instead of blending it and let them soak in the mixture.