Welcome to my new elevated love language: mezcal margaritas!
But more specifically, SMOKED STRAWBERRY mezcal margaritas.
Hello lovers!
These are smoky, tart, sweet and potent from some perfect tequila. I LOVE IT.
MY OTHER RECIPESAfter what I just did, my life may need some elevating.
Last night I found myself watching the new Jersey Shore AGAIN at like midnight. Whyyyy. So embarrassing. Am I trying to relive 2011 or something? It’s like I’m invested and horrified at my own investment.
So I need an upgrade in my life. Let’s do it here!
Since I love all things tequila, I knew that I’d love anything mezcal. And smoky drinks are something I gravitate to (much more than spicy drinks! Never mind that spicy champagne fizz I shared two weeks ago…) and find so interesting. The ones with mezcal are usually done so well because it’s naturally smoky and doesn’t taste like you’re drinking alcohol poured from an ashtray. You know?
I know!
Instead of using the straight strawberry puree (which I do all the time for my drinks, like here and here and here and here), I wanted things to be a little lighter. So I pureed the smoky strawberries and then drained the juice, and just used the juice!
So it’s a very light strawberry flavor (not overly sweet!) and the mezcal really shines.
Add a smoked strawberry on top and you’re good to go!
These are such a FUN and unusual twist on what has always been my favorite cocktail. It just tastes different enough that you love the change – not weird enough that you miss your normal favorite.
Which is exactly how I like my life to go.
Smoked Strawberry Mezcal Margaritas
Ingredients:
smoked strawberries
- 1 cup strawberries, hulled and sliced
mezcal margarita
- 1 1/2 ounces Tequila
- 1 ounce Mezcal
- 1 ounce Grand Marnier
- 2 ounces smoked strawberry juice
- 2 ounces fresh lime juice
- 2 ounce simple syrup
- salt for rim
- lime wedges for garnish
- strawberries for garnish
Directions:
smoky strawberry juice
To make the smoked strawberries, you have a few options! You can throw them on a grill (a grill plate or basket works best), char them under the broiler or even char them over your open gas stovetop flame. You want them to be a bit charred so they impart that smoky flavor into the mix!
Once the strawberries are charred, place them in the blender. I like to use a few tablespoons of water when blending to help the berry mixture turn into liquid! At this point, you can totally use the strawberry puree. However, I press it through a fine mesh sieve here and just use the juice!
This makes extra juice, so you can store it in the fridge for a week or so. It should make enough for about 4 margaritas.
mezcal margarita
I suggest making a single serving first and taste it so you can add more/less tequila, mezcal or syrup to your liking. Everyone is different and prefers their drinks a different way, so feel free to add more or less tequila, more simple syrup, more lime juice, etc. This is my absolute favorite combo listed above.
Before serving, rim the edge of the glass with a lime slice and then dip it in coarse salt. Fill the glass with just a few ice cubes or even with crushed ice – my ice preference of late.
In a shaker with ice, combine the tequila, mezcal, grand marnier, strawberry juice, lime juice and simple syrup. Shake well for 30 seconds, then pour it over the crushed ice. Add a lime slice and a strawberry and serve!
As a note, I like to char the strawberries for garnish too! I do this on the grill or on the gas stovetop burner.
For simple syrup, I bring equal parts water and sugar (so, like 1/2 cup each) to a simmer in a saucepan while whisking. Let cool completely then store in the fridge!
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Just add chips + guac.
