The tequila and mezcal cocktail is cocktail my friend helped me develop without even realizing it. He texted me a picture of a cocktail he had at a bar that consisted of tequila, lemon, agave, and egg white—I instantly fell in love with the idea.

I added mezcal to my rendition for a touch of smoke. It renders an interesting, spirit-forward cocktail with a balance of citrus, smoke, sweetness, and a foamy egg white head for the perfect finishing texture. It’s become my favorite new mezcal cocktail.

Tequila and mezcal cocktails are happening right now. Talk about tequila and everyone assumes shots or margaritas, however, you can do so much more with the spirit. Tequila really lends itself to citrus and fruit—I think it blends better than vodka or gin in more delicate cocktails.

Best Tequila for Cocktails

A quick note on top-shelf tequilas. I love them for sipping on the rocks or neat with a lime, but I’d skip them when it comes to a margarita. There are several mid-range tequilas that are really good for margaritas without breaking the bank.

• Casamigos blanco
• Milagro
• Altos
• Hornitos
• Espolòn
• Corralejo

Why Put Egg Whites in Cocktails?

The egg white is so critical to this drink. It adds a rich, tasteless finish that cannot be replicated by other means. I think the best analogy I’ve read is comparing it to the rich head on top of a Guinness. It simply wouldn’t be the same without it.

Don’t be intimidated by using raw eggs. If you’re unsure, try pasteurized liquid egg whites or fresh pasteurized eggs, you can get both at the grocery store. Pasteurized eggs are ideal for recipes that call for raw or under-cooked eggs.

While this is certainly the tequila lover’s cocktail, I think anyone would find it uniquely refreshing on a sunny day.

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