Smoke Show | Photo courtesy Belle’s Nashville Kitchen
It’s National Mezcal Week and to celebrate, we curated a list of local cocktails that contain the famously smoky agave spirit. Whether you prefer fruity, floral, spicy or sour flavor profiles, each of these tasty tipples beautifully showcases mezcal’s signature char.
Smoke Show from Belle’s Nashville Kitchen
Thanks to passion fruit puree, hibiscus-infused simple syrup and orgeat, this tangerine-hued drink features a fruity flavor profile but has tangy notes courtesy of a spritz of lime juice. Made with Union mezcal, the Smoke Show is topped off with a splash of soda water for a smoky, effervescent finish.
7212 E. Main St., Scottsdale, 480-590-3190, bellesnashvillekitchen.com
La Fumante from Zinqué
Sip in style at this French-inspired bistro at Scottsdale Fashion Square. Known for its wine selection and creative cocktails, Zinqué makes a mean mezcal drink. Tangy and smoky, La Fumante features tart triple sec and lime juice, and agave syrup for sweetness.
4712 N. Goldwater Blvd., Scottsdale, 623-745-9616, lezinque.com
Hatch Chili Margarita from Valentine
A nice hit of heat comes from green chile-infused vodka and bell pepper in this inventive cocktail, which has a slightly citrusy aftertaste thanks to the addition of yuzu. Smoky, vaguely bitter and likely to turn heads (the marg comes in a cowboy boot-shaped glass), this is the ultimate Southwestern sipper.
4130 N. Seventh Ave., Phoenix, 602-612-2961, valentinephx.com
Montezuma’s Castle from Rough Rider
Made with three simple ingredients – Los Vecinos mezcal, coco oolong tea sourced from local tea market Loose Leaf and lemon – Montezuma’s Castle is the perfect mezcal cocktail for minimalists. Though its ingredients are limited, the drink is full of earthy flavor.
1001 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, 602-675-0439, roughrideraz.com
Castle in the Sky from 36 Below
This floral-forward option utilizes local mezcal producer Mezcal Naran, plus Ramazotti Aperitivo, rose, lime, grapefruit and AquaFaba, a chickpea-based egg white alternative. Supporting local and sipping a plant-based mezcal cocktail? Sign us up!
3620 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, 480-336-8812, 36belowaz.com
