The smoky mezcal in this Smoky Basil Oaxacan Mezcal Cocktail melds perfectly with the fresh basil and sweet agave to make one super tasty cocktail. Trust me, you’re going to want to try this.
The credit for this drink goes to the Hilton Reforma in Mexico City, where they make it table-side. If you really want to impress your friends at your next party, you could set up your own table-side preparation of the cocktail.
Why You’ll Love It
- Complementary flavors: The fresh basil, sour lime juice and sweet agave syrup go together so well.
- Tantalizing: The smoky Mezcal adds a tantalizing smoky flavor that boosts a classic margarita to new heights.
- Elevates Your Cocktail Game: A mezcal and basil cocktail is far from your run-of-the-mill drink. The unique combination showcases your adventurous taste and knack for mixology, impressing both yourself and anyone lucky enough to share this distinctive concoction with you.
happydrinker22 says: 
This mezcal cocktail is hands down the best cocktail I’ve ever had! The smokiness of the mezcal combined with the refreshing taste of basil is a match made in heaven.
Capri says: The mezcal with the basil is so good!
Ingredients You Need
- Mezcal – It doesn’t have to be expensive, since we’re blending it with other ingredients. We keep a sipping mezcal and a blending mezcal in our home bar, so it doesn’t get too expensive to make these. So look for a $25-30 bottle, instead of a $60 bottle.
- Limes – You’ll need 1-2 limes per cocktail, more if they aren’t very juicy.
- Natural agave nectar – I use this one – if you’re avoiding sugar, you could use this sugar-free simple syrup.
- Fresh basil leaves
- Salt for the rim of the glass – I use this bacon-seasoned rim salt. The actual salt that is used for this drink in Mexico is worm salt, but most people don’t want to hear about that. 😂
- Ice
What is Mezcal and Where to Get It
Mezcal is a smoky liquor made from the juice of roasted agave plants. It’s similar to tequila, but with a much smokier, earthier taste and aroma. The reason this cocktail is called a Oaxacan cocktail is because most mezcal is made in Oaxaca, Mexico.
It’s recognized as an Appellation of Origin, much like Champagne or Cognac are in France. Only mezcal made in the specified regions in Mexica can technically be called Mezcal.
It takes between 7-15 years for the pina plant to mature, depending on the species and whether it is cultivated or wild, and it can take 25 kilos of agave plant to make just one liter of mezcal.
Our favorite brand of Mezcal to use for this cocktail is called QuiQuiRiQui. It runs at about $30-$40 a bottle. It’s not too expensive (relatively) and it’s great mixed into cocktails. Alipus, Del Maguey, and El Silencio are other brands that we really like.
You’ll probably want to try a few different brands so you can find one that you really like. There are brands that are more smoky than others, both in taste and smell. You can’t really know what you like until you try.
What is Agave Nectar?
Agave nectar, or agave syrup, is a sweetener made from the sap of the agave plant, which is native to Mexico. It’s a popular alternative to sugar and honey, but it has a smoother, more neutral flavor.
The reason we use it in this cocktails is because agave nectar gives the sweetness needed, enhances the flavors in the cocktail, but it doesn’t overwhelm it. Plus, it dissolves easily in cold liquids, making it an ideal sweetener for chilled drinks. Another benefit is that is has a low glycemic index so it has a slower impact on your blood sugar levels compared to regular sugar.
If you don’t want to use it or can’t find it, you can use honey, but it will have a stronger flavor, which isn’t ideal. You can also use a sugar substitute syrup, like allulose syrup which has no affect on blood sugar levels.
How to Make a Oaxacan Mezcal Cocktail
This cocktail is super easy to make, but be prepared to have your world rocked by the flavor. The agave syrup helps to counteract the sourness of the lime and the smoky mezcal floats over it all.
Step 1:
Add the basil leaves and lime wedges to a cocktail shaker. Muddle them well.
Step 2:
Add the ice, Mezcal, lime juice and agave and shake.
Step 3:
Salt the rim of an old fashioned glass. Fill it with ice and extra basil leaves.
Step 4:
Pour the cocktail over the ice in the glass. Enjoy.
Salt Rim
One of the ingredients that can change up the experience of this cocktail the most is the rim salt. A traditional Oaxacan Mezcal cocktail uses worm salt for the rim.
Yes, I did just say that. Sal de Gusano (Worm Salt). It’s often served with a shot of Mezcal in Mexico, along with a slice of orange. According to the Foodrepublic.com article, “The Aztecs found these would-be pests to be delicious; they were said to hold curative properties, promoting strength and virility.”
Before you get to grossed out, I promise you can’t taste the worm. Ha. Whatever that means! It’s really just a flavorful salt.
It’s fairly difficult to find worm salt in the U.S., or anywhere outside of Mexico, for that matter. You can actually make it yourself (thanks for that Thrillist). Or if you’re like us, we just prefer to substitute the worm salt with bacon salt, which is still smoky and flavorful, but can be bought on Amazon, and doesn’t contain the word “worm”.
Questions About the Recipe
Is it from Oaxaca?
Yes, Mezcal is associated with Oaxaca, which is often considered the birthplace of this smoky spirit. Although Mezcal can be made in several regions across Mexico, Oaxaca remains the epicenter of its production and culture.
Is mezcal actually tequila?
Most people are under the mistaken impression that mezcal is the same as tequila. The truth is that both are made with agave, but they use different agave plants and are cooked using different methods. Mezcal can be made from a number of varieties of agave, while tequila is only made with blue agave.
Can I use simple syrup instead of agave syrup?
Yes, you can use simple syrup if you need to, but I would encourage you to use agave syrup, because it’s thicker and has the flavor profile you need for this drink. Simple syrup isn’t as concentrated so you will need more of it to equal the same amount of sweetness.
Other Mezcal Cocktails to Make
We also like using mezcal in cocktails. Here’s a recipe for one of our favorite mezcal drinks:
- Peach Mezcal Margarita Recipe
- Pomegranate Mezcal Margarita
- Mezcal Sunset Cocktail
- Smoky Mezcal Sour
- Spicy Mango Mezcal Margarita
If you like these, we’ve got a whole list of great cocktails to make with Mezcal.
More Cocktails to Try
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Oaxacan Mezcal & Basil Cocktail
Ingredients
- 3 lime wedges
- 5 basil leaves
- 2 ounces (57 ml) Mezcal
- 1.5 ounces (43 ml) lime juice
- 1.5 ounces (43 ml) agave syrup
- bacon salt for the rim of the glass
- Ice
Instructions
- Add lime wedges and basil to the shaker. Muddle.
- Add mezcal, lime juice, agave, and ice. Shake well.
- Wet the rim of an old fashioned glass with a lime wedge and roll the rim in the bacon salt.
- Add ice to the glass, then pour in the cocktail. Garnish with a lime wedge and basil leaves. Serve.
Equipment Needed
- Muddler
- Old fashioned glass
Video
Notes
- You can replace the bacon salt with another spicy or savory salt.
Nutrition
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Laura is a home cook, with 25 years experience behind the stove, who spends an extraordinary amount of time in the kitchen cooking. She loves making new recipes and finding wonderful new things to eat, both at home or abroad. She spends a lot of time researching, crafting, and perfecting her recipes and currently has a cookbook in development.
Hello Laura,how are you?
My Name is Alex Valencia and I’m a NYC mixologist from Mexico.The Oaxaca Express (from 2012) is one of my recipes and I will like you to check it out.
Looks very similar to the Oaxaca Mezcak cocktail that you have here.
I will love to share my recipes with you.
Please google my name and you will find a lot about me.
Nice to meet you, Alex. I followed your Instagram from our cocktail site, Savored Sips. Cheers!
Fantastic!
This is AMAZING! I am vegan, so I don’t make it with bacon salt but honestly one of my favorite mixed drinks ever. Thank you!
I used some Applewood Smoked Salt combined with hot Chili Powder instead of the bacon salt – it was perfect!
I used Tajin and it’s perfect!
I love a good cocktail and the bacon salt was the perfect garnish!
I love a good cocktail, and these were definitely delicious!!
Glad to hear it!
What a delicious cocktail. And thank you for the bacon salt substitution. I for sure cannot handle the thought of worm salt!!
so refreshing and the perfect way to start the weekend!
The sun is coming out in Aus and we’re going to be able to dine outside soon. Going to make a few of these that’s for sure!
That’s so nice after a long winter. Enjoy!
I’m seriously so impressed that you can create such an amazing cocktail! The bacon salt added to this is perfection!
First I can’t believe I had a bottle of Mezcal in my house. Secondly, my wife loved this cocktail and has asked for it again tonight!
This is such a delicious cocktail, one I’ll be making all summer long!
The mezcal with the basil is so good!
This cocktail was so good everyone asked for seconds.
This cocktail sounds delicious I need to try it. perfect refreshing
Oh wow – what fun to have this made for you, table side! But … until we can all get out to lots of restaurants and resorts again, I love that I can make this at home! I’d never even heard of bacon salt, so I wasn’t sure how easily I could find it, and I appreciated your suggestion that other flavorful or spicy salts could work, too (although … bacon salt … omg !!! 😉 ).
Wow! I love this, great flavors! Adding this to my cocktail list
The perfect drink after a long day. Looks amazing.
Love a good cocktail with a kick; looking forward to winding down with this after dinner tonight! Sounds amazing!
What a delicious refreshing cocktail. Definitely one for the weekend.
I’ve never tried mezcal but you’re making me want to try it right away. I love the bacon salt too!
This cocktail is perfect! Thanks for the recipe!
What a delicious cocktail recipe. Looks great!
I am all about a good salted rim on my cocktails! What a delicious creation you have here!
I’ve recently discovered mezcal and have become obsessed! This is cocktail seriously gives my life. The basil muddled with the lime…..PERFECTION!!! Thank you for sharing.
I’m so glad you liked it, Maura. I feel exactly the same about it. It’s my favorite cocktail.
This recipe looks intriguing and delicious. Do you think it would pair well with Birria tacos?
Everything about the drink was great except I found it too sweet. I will need to cut back on the agave next time.
This mezcal cocktail is hands down the best cocktail I’ve ever had! The smokiness of the mezcal combined with the refreshing taste of basil is a match made in heaven.
Glad you liked it!
I’ve never been a fan of mezcal, but this cocktail changed my mind!
I’m curious about the smoky flavor – is there a specific type of mezcal that’s smokier than others?
Yes, it depends a lot on how they produce it. The flavor profile can be mellow to more smoky depending on how they want their brand to taste.
I didn’t have any agave syrup on hand so I substituted for honey instead, and it still turned out great!
Glad to hear that, Cecille. Honey definitely adds a different flavor profile, so I’d recommend trying it again when you’re able to use agave, to see the difference.
This sounds like a great summer cocktail! I’m wondering if it would still taste good if I swapped out the basil for mint?
While we haven’t tried it that way I’m sure it would be great.
I’ve only recently discovered mezcal, and have been looking for new cocktails to make with it. This one is so good, although I decided I like it better with a sugared rim rather than a salted one.
If you are interested in Mezcal you should visit our sister site Savored Sips here https://savoredsips.com/?s=mezcal. We have some great mezcal cocktails over there. Cheers!