Absent Friends Mezcal Cocktail
Mezcal supplies the smoke and Ancho Reyes liqueur the fire in this summery, spicy, cucumber-y cocktail.
Servings 2 generous cocktails
Ingredients
- 3 ounces of cucumber plus more for a garnish
- 1-1/2 ounces fresh lime juice
- 2 ounces Ancho Reyes Verde (you may also use Rojo if that is what you have0
- 2-1/2 ounces mezcal (see Kitchen Notes)
- 1-1/4 ounces simple syrup
Instructions
- Peel the cucumber, cut it into small chunks and muddle it very well—in the shaker or a bowl. It should be nice and juicy and reduced to a pulp. Put the cucumber and all the other ingredients and some ice into your cocktail shaker. Shake shake shake until the outside of the shaker feels very cold, a good 20 seconds.
- Decant into two handsome glasses over a couple of nice ice cubes, garnish with a fresh cucumber spear and serve.
Kitchen Notes
The mezcal. For this recipe, we prefer Montelobos or Vida mezcal, but use your favorite.
More uses for the Ancho Reyes? This liqueur gets its heat from either ancho or pablano chiles, depending on whether you choose rojo or verde. We really like this bourbon-based, herby cocktail, the Vaquero.