Our simple Mezcal Apple Cider recipe is just what you need this winter! The blend of Mezcal, apple cider, fresh lemon juice & agave syrup makes for a comforting cocktail.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 247
Ingredients
- 2 oz Mezcal
- 4 oz apple cider
- ⅔ oz agave syrup
- ½ oz fresh lemon juice
- Ice cubes
- Cinnamon stick and apple slice - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Highball Glass
- Measuring Jigger
- Stirrer or Bar Spoon
Instructions
- Prep Glass: Fill your highball glass with ice cubes and give it a quick stir.
- Add Lemon Juice: Pour ½ oz fresh lemon juice into the ice-filled glass.
- Add Agave Syrup: Add ⅔ oz agave syrup. Stir well to dissolve and combine.
- Add Mezcal: Pour 2 oz Mezcal over the ice.
- Add Apple Cider: Add 4 oz apple cider into the glass.
- Stir Well: Using a bar spoon or stirrer, stir well to combine the ingredients. Add more ice if necessary.
- Garnish: Garnish with a cinnamon stick and an apple slice and serve immediately.
Notes
Substitutes:
- Mezcal: If you don't have Mezcal, you can use tequila as a substitute. It's not as smoky as Mezcal, but it will still give you a nice kick. To keep this distinctive smoky profile, you can also try using a peated Scotch whisky to make this cocktail. Finally, for a sweeter profile, try using bourbon instead.
- Apple Cider: No apple cider? No problem! You can use apple juice as a substitute. It's sweeter than cider, so you should adjust the amount of agave syrup to balance the sweetness.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: You can use bottled lemon juice in a pinch, but the flavor will be less bright and fresh. Another option is to use fresh lime juice for a slightly different citrus kick.
- Agave Syrup: You can use simple syrup (1 part sugar to 1 part hot water) or honey syrup (2 parts honey to 1 part hot water) if you don’t have agave syrup on hand. For a spicier twist, cinnamon syrup is also a good option.
Making a Pitcher of Mezcal Apple Cider:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 16 oz of Mezcal, 32 oz of apple cider, 5 oz of agave syrup and 4 oz of lemon juice.
- Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the Mezcal, apple cider, agave syrup and lemon juice. Add ice and stir well.
- Serve: Strain to remove the ice, serve immediately into ice-filled highball glasses and garnish each glass with a cinnamon stick and/or an apple slice. 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:
- Mezcal Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic spirit that has a smoky flavor profile, or a non-alcoholic tequila substitute; several brands are available that mimic Tequila and Mezcal flavor quite well. 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).
- Proceed As Usual: Use this non-alcoholic substitute instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.
Making it Vegan:
Good news! This cocktail is already vegan-friendly. Just make sure to use a vegan-friendly cider as some ciders may use animal products in filtration. Just check the label or ask the manufacturer for clarification, and you’re good to go!What is a Mezcal Apple Cider?
A Mezcal Apple Cider is a smoky, fruit-based cocktail made of Mezcal, cider, lemon juice, and agave nectar.
Making this cocktail is relatively easy but requires attention to detail to balance these unique flavors. The key lies in getting the right proportion for each ingredient so that no flavor overpowers another.
What is a Mezcal Apple Cider made of – The ingredients
The following items are necessary for a Mezcal Apple Cider:
- Mezcal: A distilled alcoholic beverage from Mexico, Mezcal adds a smoky flavor to the cider. It’s the primary alcohol component of this cocktail.
- Apple Cider: This is the main non-alcoholic ingredient. It gives the cocktail its apple flavor and sweetness.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Adds a tangy kick to balance out the sweetness of the cider.
- Agave Nectar or Syrup: A natural sweetener derived from the agave plant, it enhances the drink’s sweetness without overpowering other flavors.
- Cinnamon Stick: Used as a garnish and for stirring, it infuses a warm, spicy note into the cocktail.
- Apple Slice: Serves as an edible garnish that adds a fresh apple flavor when bitten.
- Ice Cubes: Chills the cocktail, making it more refreshing.
