Jade Mezcal Margarita
This is a complex and bold take on the classic Mexican cocktail. It’s tart, refreshing, and slightly spicy, with a hint of bitterness. The aroma is bright and vegetal. Try this one out if you want something more nuanced than the ordinary.
Servings: 2 drinks
Ingredients
Mixture
- 3 leaves dinosaur aka lacinato kale, ribs removed
- 1/3 cup lime juice about 2 limes’ worth
- 3 Tablespoons mandarin orange juice one orange’s worth
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger minced
- 1/4 jalapeno pepper seeds removed
- 1 Tablespoon maple syrup (or agave nectar)
- 1/4 cup water
Shake
- 1/4 cup mezcal
- 2 cups large ice cubes
Garnish
- 2 jalapeno slices optional garnish
- 2 baby kale leaves optional garnish
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients for the Mixture in a blender. Blend on low for 20 seconds, then on high for 40 seconds, until the texture is consistent. You may need to use a scraper to push the ingredients down toward the blade if you’re just making a single batch. You can gradually add water to the blender if it isn't combining well.
- Transfer the contents of the blender to a cocktail shaker. Add mezcal and ice. Close shaker. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds. Pour into serving glasses. Do not strain out the ice. Serve immediately.
Notes
The prescribed amount of jalapeno does not create an especially spicy flavor. You can double the amount prescribed and the drink will be pleasantly, but not overwhelmingly spicy. Always take care to remove the seeds from the jalapeno in any case.
The drink is formulated to not be especially boozy. You can increase the amount of mezcal by 50% if you prefer a more alcoholic drink.
You can substitute tequila for the mezcal. Try to choose a tequila that is 100% agave.
If you want a sweeter drink, you can add more maple syrup (or agave nectar), up to 50% more.
To make a virgin cocktail, replace the mezcal with sparkling water. Do not shake the cocktail in this case. You may stir it.
The recipe plugin can adjust the quantity if you’d like to make a large batch. Just click on the number of servings and drag the slider.