El Cantinero

A vibrant, spicy agave drink that showcases the bolder side of mezcal. This cocktail balances the deep campfire notes of the spirit with fresh, fiery, and tropical elements designed to make a punchy impression.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz. blanco tequila or mezcal

  • 1 oz. grapefruit cordial

  • 3/4 oz. fresh lime juice

  • Dash of ghost pepper tincture

Grapefruit Cordial:

  • 10 oz. fresh grapefruit juice

  • 10 oz. sugar

  • 3 oz. fresh lime juice

  • 3 oz. Aperol

  • 1 Tbsp. white peppercorn lightly ground

  • 20-30 scrapes of star anise on a microplane

Ghost Pepper Tincture:

  • 7 1/2g Thai chili

  • 10g ghost pepper

  • 375ml vodka

Instructions:

  • Add all of the ingredients to a shaker and shake with ice. Strain into an ice-filled glass. Garnish. Note: If you’re spice-averse, you can leave out the ghost pepper tincture altogether.

  • Grapefruit Cordial: Add ingredients to a sealable container. Stir and infuse overnight. Strain. Will keep in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 weeks.

  • Ghost Pepper Tincture: Chop peppers and combine with the vodka in a container such as a mason jar. Make sure to use gloves when handling the ghost peppers. Shake and let it sit overnight. Will keep indefinitely.

Attribution:
Recipe: Keith Larry, Little Rascal, Brooklyn
Photo: Joanna Lin | April 13, 2023
Origin: Imbibe

Mezcal CocktailClarence Mailwas