Mezcalita
A smoky-sweet tropical twist on a margarita. This mezcal and pineapple cocktail is balanced with ginger heat and a hint of citrus. Bright, refreshing, and just a little unexpected.
Because every drink deserves a beautiful moment.
Ingredients
2 oz mezcal
¼ oz Cointreau
2 oz pineapple juice
½ oz ginger syrup
¼ oz fresh lime juice
Pinch of salt or 2 drops 20% saline solution (80 g water : 20 g salt)
Instructions
Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice.
Shake vigorously until chilled and slightly frothy.
Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice (or serve up if preferred).
Garnish with a lime wheel or small pineapple wedge for a tropical touch.
To make ginger syrup: simmer equal parts sugar and water with a few slices of fresh ginger for about 5 minutes, then strain and cool.
Notes from the Bar
Spirit Choice
We love Del Maguey Vida Mezcal for balanced smoke and minerality. For a softer edge, blend 1 oz mezcal with 1 oz reposado tequila.
Citrus Balance
Fresh lime juice is key. It brightens the pineapple and keeps the cocktail crisp.
Sweetness Level
Adjust ginger syrup to taste. A touch more brings warmth; a little less keeps it tangy. If you don't have ginger syrup, substitute with regular simple syrup.
Flavor Upgrade
Muddle a few pieces of charred pineapple in the shaker for a deeper, caramelized flavor and gorgeous color.
Glassware
Serve in a short rocks glass over crushed ice for texture and chill.
Seasonal Tip
Perfect year-round but especially lovely in late summer and early fall, when smoky-meets-tropical feels just right.
Heads up: We may earn a small commission on products we’ve linked here. We only recommend the real-deal favorites from our kitchen.
Make It a Date Nite
This cocktail is part of something bigger for us. It's a ritual we return to week after week.
Each week, we create a Date Nite designed around one drink, one thoughtful menu, and the feeling of slowing down together. The kind of night where the table is set with intention, the music hums softly in the background, and the evening unfolds without rushing.
For this Date Nite, we’ve paired a cocktail with a cozy, make-ahead-friendly menu, so you can enjoy the process without spending the whole night in the kitchen. We also include little touches we love like timing notes, a head start option, and a playlist to set the mood. Feel to pair the meal with any of our cocktails.
It’s not about perfection. It’s about presence. And turning an ordinary night at home into something that feels quietly special.
Each Date Nite includes a curated menu, cocktail pairing and a playlist, as well as another thoughtful extras like make-ahead tips, leftover ideas or table talk prompts to carry the night.
Kevin & Kate
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