Fresh herbs, jalapeños, mango and smoky Mezcal Creyente Joven create a smooth, balanced elemental cocktail; the Mezcal Mango Smash margarita. vegan + gluten free | Disclosure: This post was produced in collaboration with and is sponsored by Mezcal Creyente. All opinions are my own.
Recipe Inspiration
Late last year I started hearing about a new(ish) spirit called mezcal. Apparently it would appeal to my Texas roots due to my love of smoky flavors. Intrigued by what I’d learned, I was excited to give this agave-based spirit a try.
Mezcal Creyente is a blend of Espadin agaves from two different regions of Oaxaca, Mexico. It’s full bodied yet with sweet hints of fruit, light herbal notes and a smoky nose. It’s uniquely complex. Smoky notes are derived by the way Mezcal Creyente is crafted. In part, the process of roasting agave hearts, the piñas, with mesquite wood yields a unique smoky characteristic in this spirit.
A Cocktail Challenge
Mezcal Creyente challenged me to create a signature cocktail based on the “ruling element” of my zodiac sign. Since I’m a Taurus, my ruling element is Earth.
Taurus considers taste one of the most important tactile senses so it’s no wonder that they love to cook and garden. Could you get any more accurate than this?
Inspired by the characteristics of my sign, I knew I wanted to create a cocktail with fresh herbs and fruit since these are an example of Earth’s abundant flora, but I couldn’t help but include fiery jalapeños, a nod to the geologic processes that shape our planet. This mezcal simply called for it.
A Balanced Cocktail
Mango, cilantro, lime, jalapeños, orange liqueur and Mezcal Creyente combine to create a sweet-smoky, balanced Mezcal Mango Smash margarita cocktail with not too much of each element overpowering one or the other. Jalapeño adds a smooth spice while cilantro balances the sweetness of the mango, both to complement and highlight smoky Mezcal Creyente.
Lime adds a bit of acidity to tie all the flavors together for a velvety finish with interesting layers.
Taste.
Each.
One.
Mezcal Mango Smash margarita is versatile. The sweet and spicy of this cocktail can be adjusted to your preference. I prefer three jalapeños rings, while Rob 1 1/2 (rolls eyes). Also, I love the natural sweetness of mango, but Rob thought a bit of simple put this cocktail in his preferred category.
Playing with the ingredients is half the fun!
What signature cocktail would you create with Mezcal Creyente?
Mezcal Mango Smash
Ingredients
For the Cocktail:
- 3 Lime Wedges
- 2-3 Fresh Jalapeños Rings* (see note) adjust to taste
- 3 Sprigs of Fresh Cilantro stem and leaves
- 1/4 oz (7g) Simple Syrup (optional - recipe below**)
- 1 1/2 oz (42g) Mezcal Creyente Joven
- 1 oz (28g) Orange Liqueur
- 1 oz (28g) Mango Nectar unsweetened
For the Rim:
- 1 Lime Wedge
- 1/2 tsp Fine Sea Salt
- 1/2 tsp Smoky Paprika
Instructions
For the Cocktail:
- In a cocktail shaker or mixer add the lime wedges, jalapeño rings, cilantro and simple syrup. Muddle to incorporate the lime juice and essential oils of the herbs and jalapeños. Add the orange liquor, mezcal, and mango nectar. Top with ice and stir/shake. Rim a low-ball glass with lime, then dip into salt/paprika mixture. Fill the glass with ice and double strain the cocktail into the glass. Garnish with cilantro, lime and jalapeño rings (if desired).
- For a spicier approach, make the cocktail and instead of straining into a low-ball with ice, strain into a ball jar, add up to three jalapeño rings and infuse for up to 24 hours.
Definitely curious about the jalapeno, very creative, can’t wait to try this
Hey Robbie! Thank you for your note and stopping by! The jalapeno yields a subtle spice… unless of course, you want to add more to take it over the top! I hope you enjoy this flavor packed sipper!
Mmm, yes please! My weekend so need one of these beauties :)
You got it Laura!
The sweet and spicy flavors are just what I need for my tropical cravings!! Loving the jalapeno and cilantro so much!
I’m with ya Liren… the flavors pair so well together!
So pretty! There’s nothing better than a tantalizing refreshing cocktail! This is it. I recently had a cocktail with chipotle syrup and I totally get that ‘smoky’ flavor. So subtle and so wonderful! Great drink for summer, Traci :)
Whaaaa whaa… what!? Chipotle syrup?! Hold the phone!! Can you imagine that with Mezcal? OMG. Done and done!
I am so into this! That last paragraph about your preferences and Rob’s made me laugh out loud. Sounds very familiar!! Haha. I think the mango and mezcal sound like such a perfect match. Cheers, my friend! <3
LOL – I know you can totally relate, Tessa! LOL! I hope you’ll give this a go! :D
This is such a beautiful cocktail concoction that you have created! I have mango in margaritas, and am sure this one with the punch of the jalapeno and cilantro and mescal are perfect together! I tried mescal on my trip to Mexico last year, and was quite intriqued how smooth it feels on the throat!
and I love the fact that Taurus love to cook and garden… that’s definitely you and me hehe! :) Love this post! and the gorgeous shots!
Thank you Amisha! I’m with you on Mangos… A perfect pair with Mezcal (smooth, indeed!!)
I have yet to try Mezcal but I have heard it’s delicious. It certainly sounds incredible in this mango smash! I love the hint of smokiness. Suiting for a Taurus Texan, indeed! ;)
Oh my word, Sarah! I think you’d like this! SO many possibilities to pair with the smoky notes. I hope you’ll give it a go!
I need one of these right now – this long weekend has been looong – and this would hit the spot – love the combo of mango and jalapeño- sweet and spicy! Gorgeous pictures, Traci!
hehe… I hope it was a good, long weekend, Geraldine! The mix of flavors is sublime… and the smoky mezcal takes this cocktail over the top! :D
Love the flavors of this recipe! The perfect summer cocktail!
Thank you Luci! :D
I’ve heard about mezcal Traci, but I’ve never tried it myself. Your description makes it sound amazing and something I’d totally go for. As usual, your photos are making me want to reach into my screen and grab one of those glasses! Thanks for sharing this one. It will surely get on the cocktail list at our house soon. Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!
Thank you Mary Ann… Mezcal is unique which makes it so special. I hope you’ll give it a go! :D
These look so tasty, Traci! I’m in love with mezcal (and all the other ingredients you have in here!), so I can’t wait to try this. I think it’s gonna happen this weekend! Cheers!
Oh my, Liz.. then we should compare recipe notes! I’d love to hear the ingredients you like to use with mezcal! I hope you enjoy it Liz!
Simply gorgeous girl as always. Your cocktails are so creative and I want to dive right into this one! Cheers.
Thank you Karen! :D
Wow Traci you have absolutely combined me that I must try mezcal! And obviously I need to make this cocktail I adore mango and chilli!
The combination is really nice… I hope you enjoy it Rachael! :D