Mix up some excitement with The Maximilian Affair recipe! This fall cocktail combines Mezcal, elderflower liqueur, Punt e Mes and fresh lemon juice and makes for a great, unusual drink.
Prep time:
1 minute
Mixing time:
1 minute
Servings:
1
Calories:
181
Ingredients
- 1 oz Mezcal
- 1 oz St. Germain
- ½ oz Punt e Mes
- ¼ oz fresh lemon juice
- Ice cubes
- Lemon twist - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker
- Cocktail Strainer
- Fine strainer
- Cocktail Glass (Martini or Coupe style)
- Measuring Jigger
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail glass (coupe or Martini style) with ice and set it aside.
- Squeeze a lemon and pour ¼ oz fresh lemon juice into the shaker.
- Add ½ oz Punt e Mes.
- Add 1 oz St. Germain liqueur into the shaker as well.
- Finally, add 1 oz Mezcal to the mix.
- Fill the shaker with ice, close it and give it a good shake (10-15 seconds).
- Discard the ice inside the cocktail glass. Using both the cocktail strainer and the fine strainer, strain the mixture into the chilled glass.
- Garnish with a lemon twist (express the lemon zest on top of the drink and then place it on the rim of the glass).
Notes
Substitutes:
- Mezcal: If you don't have mezcal, use tequila instead. It won't have the same smoky flavor, but it will still work well with the other ingredients.
- St. Germain: This is an elderflower liqueur, and it's pretty unique, but if you can't find it, you could try using a different floral liqueur or even a splash of elderflower cordial mixed with a neutral spirit like vodka.
- Punt e Mes: Any Sweet Vermouth can be a substitute for Punt e Mes, but you might want to add a touch of Angostura bitters to balance the sweetness.
Making a Pitcher of The Maximilian Affair:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 8 oz of mezcal, 8 oz of St. Germain, 8 oz of Punt e Mes, and 8 oz of lemon juice.
- Mix: Combine all the ingredients in a large pitcher with ice and stir well.
- Serve: Strain the mixture into chilled coupe glasses, garnish with a lemon twist, 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 these types of products.
- St. Germain Substitute: Elderflower cordial can be a non-alcoholic substitute for St. Germain.
- Punt e Mes: Use a grape concentrate with a touch of tonic syrup.
- 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:
This cocktail is already vegan-friendly as it doesn't contain any animal products. Just make sure to check your ingredients' labels to confirm they're suitable for vegans.What is The Maximilian Affair?
The Maximilian Affair is a spirit-based cocktail made of mezcal, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, and Punt e Mes. It’s relatively easy to make, as it only requires measuring ingredients accurately and mixing them effectively. However, its unique combination of flavors can be challenging for those unfamiliar with mixing cocktails.
What is The Maximilian Affair made of – The ingredients
If you’re making a The Maximilian Affair, here’s what you’ll need:
- Punt e Mes:Â Adds a layer of complexity with its rich, bittersweet, and herbal characteristics. It enhances the depth of flavor in the cocktail.
- St. Germain: An elderflower liqueur, it balances the rest of the ingredients with a sweet and floral touch.Â
- Mezcal: A distilled alcoholic beverage from Mexico, it gives a smoky flavor to the Maximilian Affair, adding an intriguing twist to its overall taste profile.
- Lemon juice: It adds a fresh citrus taste and aroma that enhances the sensory experience of the cocktail.
