Division Bell Cocktail Drink

Division Bell

A shot of Gavin Wrigley looking to the camera in a dimly lit room
Written by Gavin Wrigley
Andrea
Tested by
Andrea Ottaiano

In search of a standout summer cocktail? The Division Bell Cocktail recipe is your answer! This drink is loaded with interesting ingredients, and it’s a breeze to put together.

Division Bell Cocktail Recipe

Kick back with our straightforward Division Bell cocktail recipe! It combines Mezcal, Aperol, maraschino liqueur, and lime juice for a refreshing spring sip.

Prep time:

1 minute

Mixing time:

1 minute

Servings:

1

Calories:

200 kl

Ingredients

  • 1 oz Mezcal
  • ¾ oz Aperol
  • ¾ oz Maraschino Liqueur
  • ¾ oz Fresh Lime Juice
  • Maraschino Cherry, for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Cocktail Shaker
  • Strainer & Fine-strainer
  • Coupe Glass
  • Measuring Jigger

Instructions

  • Chill your coupe glass with some ice cubes.
  • Pour in a shaker ¾ oz Fresh Lime Juice.
  • Add ¾ oz Maraschino Liqueur.
  • Measure and pour ¾ oz Aperol.
  • Finish with 1 oz Mezcal.
  • Fill your cocktail shaker with ice.
  • Shake vigorously until well chilled.
  • Fine strain the mixture into a coupe glass.
  • Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Mezcal: If you don't have Mezcal on hand, you can use tequila as a substitute. It won't have the same smoky flavor, but it will still work well in this cocktail.
  • Aperol: Campari is a good alternative if you don't have Aperol. It's more bitter than Aperol, so you might want to add some extra St-Germain or lime juice to balance it.
  • Maraschino Liqueur: If you can't find Maraschino Liqueur, use another cherry liqueur or make a simple syrup infused with cherry essence.

Making a Pitcher of Division Bell Cocktail:

  • Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 8 oz of Mezcal, 6 oz of Aperol, 6 oz of Maraschino Liqueur, and 6 oz of lime juice.
  • Mix: Combine all the ingredients in a large pitcher with ice and stir well.
  • Serve: Strain the mixture into individual chilled coupe glasses, garnish with a maraschino cherry, and serve immediately.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • Mezcal Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic spirit that has a smoky flavor. Several brands on the market make non-alcoholic spirits with complex flavors.
  • Aperol Substitute: Make a simple syrup infused with orange peel, gentian root, bitter rhubarb, and a touch of grapefruit juice to mimic the bitter orange flavor of Aperol.
  • Maraschino Liqueur: Use a cherry cordial or syrup instead of Maraschino. You can find non-alcoholic versions in most grocery stores.
  • Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.

Making it Vegan:

Aperol does not contain any ingredient of animal origin but a small quantity of gelatine may be used in the purification process, so unfortunately the product is not suitable for those following a strict vegan lifestyle. Some other brands of alcohol use animal products in their production process, so check the labels or do some research online to make sure your ingredients are vegan. Ensure your maraschino cherries are not processed with animal products for the garnish.

Nutrition Facts

Calories
200
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
0.1
g
0
%
Saturated Fat
 
0.02
g
0
%
Sodium
 
3
mg
0
%
Carbohydrates
 
18
g
6
%
Fiber
 
0.3
g
1
%
Sugar
 
16
g
18
%
Potassium
 
33
mg
1
%
Protein
 
0.1
g
0
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
0.02
g
Vitamin A
 
13
IU
0
%
Vitamin C
 
6
mg
7
%
Calcium
 
6
mg
1
%
Iron
 
0.1
mg
1
%

 

Division Bell Cocktail Drink

Division Bell Cocktail Recipe

Gavin Wrigley Written by Gavin Wrigley
Jump to Video
Kick back with our straightforward Division Bell cocktail recipe! It combines Mezcal, Aperol, maraschino liqueur, and lime juice for a refreshing spring sip.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 200

Ingredients
 

  • 1 oz Mezcal
  • ¾ oz Aperol
  • ¾ oz Maraschino Liqueur
  • ¾ oz Fresh Lime Juice
  • Maraschino Cherry - for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Cocktail Shaker
  • Strainer & Fine-strainer
  • Coupe Glass
  • Measuring Jigger

Instructions

  • Chill your coupe glass with some ice cubes.
  • Pour in a shaker ¾ oz Fresh Lime Juice.
  • Add ¾ oz Maraschino Liqueur.
  • Measure and pour ¾ oz Aperol.
  • Finish with 1 oz Mezcal.
  • Fill your cocktail shaker with ice.
  • Shake vigorously until well chilled.
  • Fine strain the mixture into a coupe glass.
  • Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Mezcal: If you don't have Mezcal on hand, you can use tequila as a substitute. It won't have the same smoky flavor, but it will still work well in this cocktail.
  • Aperol: Campari is a good alternative if you don't have Aperol. It's more bitter than Aperol, so you might want to add some extra St-Germain or lime juice to balance it.
  • Maraschino Liqueur: If you can't find Maraschino Liqueur, use another cherry liqueur or make a simple syrup infused with cherry essence.

Making a Pitcher of Division Bell Cocktail:

  • Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 8 oz of Mezcal, 6 oz of Aperol, 6 oz of Maraschino Liqueur, and 6 oz of lime juice.
  • Mix: Combine all the ingredients in a large pitcher with ice and stir well.
  • Serve: Strain the mixture into individual chilled coupe glasses, garnish with a maraschino cherry, and serve immediately.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • Mezcal Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic spirit that has a smoky flavor. Several brands on the market make non-alcoholic spirits with complex flavors.
  • Aperol Substitute: Make a simple syrup infused with orange peel, gentian root, bitter rhubarb, and a touch of grapefruit juice to mimic the bitter orange flavor of Aperol.
  • Maraschino Liqueur: Use a cherry cordial or syrup instead of Maraschino. You can find non-alcoholic versions in most grocery stores.
  • Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.

Making it Vegan:

Aperol does not contain any ingredient of animal origin but a small quantity of gelatine may be used in the purification process, so unfortunately the product is not suitable for those following a strict vegan lifestyle. Some other brands of alcohol use animal products in their production process, so check the labels or do some research online to make sure your ingredients are vegan. Ensure your maraschino cherries are not processed with animal products for the garnish.

 

What is a Division Bell Cocktail?

A Division Bell Cocktail is a mezcal-based cocktail made of Aperol, Maraschino liqueur, mezcal and lime juice. This drink is relatively easy to prepare as it only requires the essential skill of mixing ingredients in appropriate proportions. The cocktail is an interesting variant of the Last Word cocktail; however, this version uses mezcal and Aperol instead of gin and green Chartreuse used in the original recipe. One unique aspect of this cocktail that sets it apart from others is its balanced flavor profile. While Maraschino liqueur adds sweetness to the mix, Aperol introduces a hint of bitterness, which results in a refreshing yet complex taste experience.

A side shot of a Division Bell cocktail in a cocktail glass on a wooden tray placed on a light green table surrounded by a lime and a salmon cloth, in front of a black background.

What is a Division Bell Cocktail made of – The ingredients

Create a Division Bell Cocktail at home using our simple step-by-step instructions:

  • Mezcal: This smoky agave-based spirit adds depth and complexity to the cocktail.
  • Aperol: An Italian aperitif that brings a bitter-sweet flavor, enhancing the overall taste.
  • Maraschino liqueur: A cherry liqueur that delivers complexity and a fruity sweetness to the mixture.
  • Lime Juice: Adds acidity and brightness, balancing out the sweetness of other ingredients.

Mezcal, Aperol, Maraschino liqueur, lime and lime juice laid out on a white bar table

How do you make a Division Bell Cocktail?

Get ready to make your Division Bell Cocktail with these ingredients:

1
<p>Start by filling your coupe glass with ice to chill it while you prepare the drink.</p>

Start by filling your coupe glass with ice to chill it while you prepare the drink.

2
<p>Squeeze into the shaker 3/4 oz of lime juice. The lime juice adds a refreshing tanginess that balances the Mezcal's smokiness and the Aperol's bitterness.</p>

Squeeze into the shaker 3/4 oz of lime juice. The lime juice adds a refreshing tanginess that balances the Mezcal's smokiness and the Aperol's bitterness.

3
<p>Pour 3/4 oz of Maraschino liqueur into the shaker. This clear, relatively dry liqueur made from sour Marasca cherries adds a subtle sweetness to the cocktail.</p>

Pour 3/4 oz of Maraschino liqueur into the shaker. This clear, relatively dry liqueur made from sour Marasca cherries adds a subtle sweetness to the cocktail.

4
<p>Add 3/4 oz of Aperol to the shaker. This Italian aperitif lends a bitter-sweet taste and a beautiful orange hue to the cocktail.</p>

Add 3/4 oz of Aperol to the shaker. This Italian aperitif lends a bitter-sweet taste and a beautiful orange hue to the cocktail.

5
<p>Pour 1 oz of Mezcal into the shaker. The smoky flavor of Mezcal is a key component of this cocktail, providing a unique depth of flavor.</p>

Pour 1 oz of Mezcal into the shaker. The smoky flavor of Mezcal is a key component of this cocktail, providing a unique depth of flavor.

6
<p>Fill your cocktail shaker with ice cubes.</p>

Fill your cocktail shaker with ice cubes.

7
<p>Shake the mixture vigorously for about 20 seconds. This mixes the ingredients thoroughly and helps to chill and dilute the cocktail for a smoother taste.</p>

Shake the mixture vigorously for about 20 seconds. This mixes the ingredients thoroughly and helps to chill and dilute the cocktail for a smoother taste.

8
<p>Fine strain the cocktail into your chilled coupe glass with no ice. With its wide, shallow bowl, this type of glass is perfect for serving cocktails without ice, allowing the drink to stay cooler for longer.</p>

Fine strain the cocktail into your chilled coupe glass with no ice. With its wide, shallow bowl, this type of glass is perfect for serving cocktails without ice, allowing the drink to stay cooler for longer.

9
<p>Finally, garnish the cocktail with a maraschino cherry and enjoy your creation.</p>

Finally, garnish the cocktail with a maraschino cherry and enjoy your creation.

History and Origin of the Division Bell Cocktail

The Division Bell Cocktail was born in New York City at the now unfortunately closed cocktail bar Mayahuel. Phil Ward, a creative bartender there, invented this drink in 2009. He loved to play around with different tastes and ingredients in his cocktails.

Phil named his new creation after Pink Floyd’s 1994 “Division Bell” album. He was a big band fan and wanted to honor them with his cocktail. The mix of Mezcal, Aperol, maraschino liqueur, and lime juice quickly became a hit. People loved how the smoky Mezcal mixed with the bitter Aperol and sweet maraschino liqueur.

A Division Bell cocktail, shot from above, in a cocktail glass on a beige surface, surrounded by Mezcal, Aperol, Maraschino liqueur, lime and lime juice

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FAQ

How many calories does a Division Bell cocktail contain?
A standard serving contains approximately 200 calories. However, this can vary slightly depending on the specific brands of alcohol used.
How strong is the Division Bell cocktail?
The strength of a Division Bell cocktail depends on the alcohol content of the ingredients used. Typically, it has an Alcohol By Volume (ABV) of around 20-25%, translating to 40-50 proof. This makes it a moderately potent cocktail.
What type of alcohol is used in a Division Bell cocktail?
The cocktail uses three types of alcohol: Mezcal, Aperol, and Maraschino liqueur. The smoky flavor of Mezcal, combined with the bitter-sweet taste of Aperol and the cherry notes from Maraschino liqueur, gives this drink its unique flavor profile.
In what kind of glass is a Division Bell cocktail served?
Traditionally, the cocktail is served in a chilled coupe glass. This type of glass enhances the drink's presentation.
What does a Division Bell cocktail taste like?
A Division Bell cocktail offers a complex blend of flavors. The smokiness from the Mezcal contrasts with the sweetness from the Maraschino liqueur and Aperol's bitterness. Additionally, fresh lime juice adds a tangy note that balances these flavors.
What is the ratio of ingredients in a Division Bell cocktail?
The typical ratio for a Division Bell cocktail is 1 part mezcal, 3/4 part Aperol, 3/4 part Maraschino liqueur, and 3/4 part fresh lime juice. This equal-part recipe ensures that no single ingredient overpowers another, producing a balanced and harmonious flavor.
How is a Division Bell cocktail served?
A Division Bell cocktail is typically served 'up,' meaning it's shaken with ice and then strained into a glass without ice. This method helps to chill and dilute the drink while maintaining its flavor intensity.

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