Smokey Arroyo

This is a fun Mezcal based cocktail that may remind you of a Margarita, with a little bit more. We're not sure where the name came from, but an arroyo is a creek in an arid region, which kind of suits this cocktail.

If you don't have Mezcal on hand, don't be tempted to use Tequila. It will likely still taste great, but you won't get the same smoky craziness that this drink requires. Although Tequila is a type of Mezcal, it's a very different style from "Mezcal" Mezcal (if that makes any sense!). That being said, the citrus elements do well to combat some of the more intense flavours of a good Mezcal, so even if you're not usually a Mezcal drinker, you'll find it a little more toned down.

Enjoy this cocktail as something a little bit different.

Total Time 5

Servings 1 cocktail

Ingredients

45 mL Mezcal
30 mL Grapefruit Juice
15 mL Lime Juice
15 mL Rosemary Syrup*
Salt to rim glass.
Garnish with Grapefruit wedge (optional)

Instructions

Salt the rim of a glass and set it aside. You can serve this cocktail in any glass.
Shake the Mezcal, Grapefruit Juice, Lime Juice, and Rosemary Syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice until good and cold.
Strain into your glass. Serve with or without fresh ice.
Garnish. Drink.

Notes

*Rosemary Syrup is quite easy to make, find a recipe here.

Make sure you use a nice Mezcal for this cocktail. There's a lot going on here with the Grapefruit and Lime Juices, so you need something that can work with it. Mezcal and citrus go really well together as well. Both have pretty intense flavours - the citrus being tart and the Mezcal being fairly vibrant - they play and mingle together ensuring nothing becomes too overpowering.

And that's what's nice about this cocktail. There's a lot going on, but in a lot of ways not too much. It may be a little intense for some, but for others it's just the drink they're looking for.

Enjoy.

Our Review of the Smokey Arroyo

Hmmm…

There’s quite a bit going on here and, for me, it’s coming down to the Rosemary Syrup. I think it’s taking away from the cocktail rather than adding to it. The Grapefruit and Lime Juice are a great combination with the Mezcal, of course they are, but trying to chuck some Rosemary flavours in there makes this recipe take an odd turn that just doesn’t work for my taste.

It can be fun having a cocktail that throws in something a little unusual like Rosemary. These days, ingredients like Rosemary aren’t completely unheard of in cocktails, but they have to be used wisely. Maybe I’m a bit old fashioned, but I generally prefer classic ingredients. I say that, then I find something weird and I love it! I’m not saying the Smokey Arroyo is weird, because there’s stuff that’s a whole lot weirder out there, but I don’t think this recipe quite hits the mark.

On the more positive side though, there’s nothing that tastes bad in this cocktail. It just doesn’t work for me. I already said that Mezcal with Grapefruit and Lime Juice works very well, your mileage may vary on the Rosemary Syrup. In fact, I really like this mixture with just plain Simple Syrup.

Is the Smokey Arroyo a cocktail recipe that will 100% please everyone? One that should should break out at a party that you know everyone will love? No. Is this a cocktail that some will love and some will hate? Yes.

Regardless of how I feel, you should still give this cocktail a try. You may disagree with me and find a new favourite.

6/10

Reviewed by Bobby

If you’re looking for other Mezcal or Tequila based cocktails…

We have plenty! Below are links to other recipes we have that have either Tequila or Mezcal in them. We’re including Tequila because it’s a variety of Mezcal, so you may be in the mood. Take a look:

Mezcal cocktail recipes: all of our recipes that contain Mezcal. Hey, if you already have the bottle open, why not mix a few more drinks.

Tequila cocktail recipes: whether you have Tequila or you want to replace is with the Mezcal you already have, try of of the cocktail recipes in the link above. You can thank us later.