Warm up your winter with this easy-to-make Medicina Latina recipe! Tequila, lime juice, honey, ginger syrup and Mezcal make this cocktail ideal for frosty evenings.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 257
Ingredients
- 2 oz Tequila
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- ½ oz honey syrup - 2 parts honey to 1 part water
- ½ oz ginger syrup
- ½ oz Mezcal
- 1 dash Lemon bitters - optional
- Ice cubes
- Candied ginger - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker
- Cocktail Strainer
- Rocks Glass
- Measuring Jigger
Instructions
- Prep Glass: Fill an Old Fashioned glass with a generous amount of ice cubes.
- Add Bitters: Start by pouring 1 dash Lemon bitters into the shaker (if using).
- Add Ginger Syrup: Pour ½ oz ginger syrup into the shaker.
- Add Honey Syrup: Add ½ oz honey syrup.
- Add Lime Juice: Add 1 oz fresh lime juice.
- Add Tequila: Finally, add 2 oz Tequila to the mix.
- Shake Well: Fill the shaker with ice, close it, and give it a good shake (10-15 seconds).
- Strain: Using both the cocktail strainer and the fine strainer, strain the mixture into the ice filled glass.
- Add Mezcal: Measure and gently pour ½ oz Mezcal on top of the drink.
- Garnish: Garnish with skewered pieces of candied ginger and serve immediately.
Notes
Substitutes:
- Tequila: If you don't have Tequila, you can use mezcal for a smokier flavor or white rum for a lighter, more tropical vibe.
- Fresh Lime Juice: You can use bottled lime juice in a pinch, but the flavor will be less bright and fresh. Another option is to use fresh lemon juice for a slightly different citrus kick.
- Honey Syrup: Agave syrup is an excellent substitute for honey syrup if you prefer a vegan option or want to try something different.
- Ginger Syrup: If you don’t have ginger syrup, you can muddle a small piece of fresh ginger in your shaker with ½ oz simple syrup before making the drink. You can also make your own ginger syrup at home: start by peeling and coarsely chopping some fresh ginger ginger (the more, the spicier the syrup). Then, add it to 17 oz/50 cl boiling water. Cover and let it infuse at room temperature for 3 hours. After this time, give it a taste and infuse it longer if you want a spicier syrup. Once you are satisfied with the infusion, filter through a fine strainer and add 500g of powdered sugar to the ginger water. Mix well to combine, until the sugar is fully dissolved.
- Mezcal: If you don’t have Mezcal, you can use a peated scotch whisky as an alternative, although the final result won’t come as crisp and fresh.
Making a Pitcher of Medicina Latina:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 16 oz of Tequila, 8 oz of fresh lime juice, 4 oz of honey syrup, 4 oz of ginger syrup, 4 oz of mezcal, and 8 dashes of lemon bitters.
- Mix: Combine all the ingredients in a large pitcher. Add ice and stir well.
- Serve: Strain to remove the ice, serve immediately into ice-fille rocks glasses, and garnish with candied ginger pieces or fresh ginger slices. If you have some leftovers, be sure to keep it in the fridge (make sure no ice cubes are left inside) in an airtight container.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Tequila Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic tequila substitute; several brands are available that mimic Tequila's flavor quite well. Otherwise, you can use fresh orange juice as a substitute. You can also try making your own substitute by mixing together water, a pinch of smoked salt, a splash of tonic, and a bit of agave syrup (to taste).
- Mezcal: Use a non-alcoholic spirit that has a smoky flavor profile, or make a saline solution with smoked salt (simply dissolve the salt in cold water, following a 20% ration of salt to water) and add 2 or 3 dashes to your drink.
- Proceed As Usual: Use this non-alcoholic substitute instead of the regular Tequila and Mezcal, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.
Making it Vegan:
- Honey Syrup Substitute: Replace the honey syrup with agave or simple syrup to make this cocktail vegan-friendly. The taste will be slightly different but still delicious, as the agave syrup pairs particularly well with both tequila and mezcal.
What is a Medicina Latina?
A Medicina Latina is a tequila-based cocktail made of fresh lime juice, honey syrup, ginger syrup, and just a touch of mezcal. It’s easy to make as it only requires mixing these ingredients in their appropriate proportions. The Medicina Latina is a twist on the Penicillin cocktail, which is made out of Scotch whisky, lemon juice, ginger & honey. An exciting aspect about this drink is that despite being an alcoholic beverage, it incorporates elements like honey and ginger, often associated with natural remedies – hence the name ‘Medicina Latina’, translating to ‘Latin Medicine’.
What is a Medicina Latina made of – The ingredients
These are the ingredients required to create a Medicina Latina:
- Lemon Bitters: Adds a subtle, tangy citrus flavor that enhances the overall complexity of the cocktail.
- Ginger Syrup: Brings a spicy and warming sweetness that complements the tequila and lime juice, adding depth to the flavor profile.
- Honey Syrup: Provides a rich, floral sweetness that balances the tartness of the lime juice, creating a smooth and harmonious taste.
- Lime Juice: Adds a bright, tangy citrus note that gives the cocktail a refreshing edge, making it more invigorating.
- Tequila: Offers a smooth, robust base that ties all the flavors together with its distinct agave notes, forming the backbone of the cocktail.
- Ice Cubes: Used to chill the Old Fashioned glass and the cocktail, ensuring a refreshing temperature and optimal taste.
- Mezcal: Adds a smoky depth and complexity to the drink, creating an intriguing layer of flavor on the surface.
- Candied Ginger: Used as a garnish to add a visually appealing touch and a hint of spicy sweetness that complements the flavors of the drink.
