Tequila-based margaritas and palomas have long been co*cktail-menu staples, but their base ingredient - agave - is now shaking things up in new co*cktails, putting a fresh spin on old favourites.
While tequila, made from the blue agave plant, is the best-known of the agave spirits, mezcal has also grown in popularity recently. It's made from a wider variety of agaves across Mexico, and is roasted underground for a smokier flavour.
Alan Uresti Silva, U.K. brand ambassador for The Lost Explorer Mezcal, notes that when he came to London from Mexico nine years ago, agave co*cktails were rare in London bars, except for margaritas. Bobby Hiddleston, co-founder of Swift co*cktail bars, agrees, adding that the shift in attitude comes "off the shoulders of good quality tequila,” which has boosted the entire agave category.
Elon Soddu, co-founder of Amaro bar, says bartenders now have a better understanding of agave, and its various forms make it easy to substitute in traditional co*cktails. Blanco tequilas and young mezcals offer bright, grassy flavours that pair well with citrus. Uresti Silva suggests these can replace gin or vodka for a refreshing twist.
Here, five expert London bartenders offer up recipes that replace everyday spirits with agave alternatives. You can experiment at home with your own favourite brands.
NIGHTINGALE - Swift Shoreditch bar
For this agave spin on a martini, Hiddleston uses a reposado tequila (aged two months to a year in oak barrels). He says you can’t keep it as dry as you would a gin or vodka martini, and the key is to bolster the sweetness.
“We find using the blanco vermouth rather than a dry vermouth carries the flavour really well, and we just have a couple of little accessorising things, orange bitters, almond,” he says.
Ingredients:
40ml (1.4 oz) Tapatio Reposado tequila
25ml (0.8 oz) Reus blanco vermouth
5ml (0.2 oz) simple syrup
5ml (0.2 oz) Nardini Mandorola liqueur
2 dashes of Orange Bitters
Method:
Mix all ingredients in a glass, stir thoroughly. Strain over a chilled martini glass. Garnish with an olive.
MEZCAL NEGRONI - Hacha Brixton
At this award-winning agaveria, bar manager Ben Guillou serves up a Mezcal Negroni, a drink traditionally made with a London dry gin, Campari and vermouth, but he swaps out the gin for mezcal.
Ingredients:
1 part The Lost Explorer Mezcal
1 part Campari
1 part Vermouth Bianco
Method:
Pour all ingredients over ice, stir thoroughly. Strain over a glass with ice and serve.
MEZCAL ESPRESSO MARTINI – El Bar de Cavita
Cavita, one of London’s top Mexican restaurants, features a basem*nt Mexican Bar where they serve up a spin on an Espresso Martini, adding coffee mezcal to vodka and freshly brewed espresso. Chef patron Adriana Cavita feels the mezcal brings a lot of flavour and complexity to the classic vodka co*cktail.
“This coffee-based mezcal is made with Mexican coffee, which I think has a lot of aroma," she says. "You can feel a little bit of the cinnamon. Also, I feel like it takes a bit of the sweetness from the drink.”
Ingredients:
40ml (1.4 oz) Faie Quinoa vodka
25ml (0.8 oz) Ojo DeDios Café mezcal
50 ml (1.7 oz) espresso
15ml (0.5 oz) sugar
Method:
Make double espresso.
Combine all ingredients in a shaker, add ice and shake vigorously until a foam forms.
Double strain into a martini/coupe and dust with a little cinnamon powder on top and serve.
TOMATO BAMBOO - Amaro
Former head mixologist at The Savoy hotel, Soddu brings a five-star bar experience to his west London bar Amaro.
One of the bestsellers on his menu is the Tomato Bamboo. Traditionally a lower strength drink made with sherry and two types of vermouth, this recipe switches a vermouth for a mezcal, retaining the dry taste but adding a smoky herbal touch.
“It’s a little bit stronger and gives this nice smokiness on the drink that gives this nice and funky flavour,” he says.
Ingredients:
30ml (1 oz) Los Siete Misterios Doba Yej Mezcal,
20ml (0.7 oz) Tio Pepe Fino Sherry,
10ml (0.35 oz) 1757 Vermouth di Torino Extra Dry,
25ml (0.8 oz) La Tomato liqueur,
3 drops celery bitters.
Method:
Add all the ingredients to a mixing glass, stir over ice. Pour in a chilled coupette with a cherry tomato garnish.
MAESTRO OLD FASHIONED - Mezcalito Brompton
The final co*cktail comes from Oliver Castilla-Tristan, co-founder of late-night co*cktail bar and club Mezcalito Brompton. He does a twist on the classic Old Fashioned recipe of whiskey, sugar, Angostura bitters and water.
“We’re using anejo tequila, which is aged tequila. We use a bit of cacao liqueur, and angostura as well," he says, "bringing both flavours of vanilla, a bit of sweetness, but that robust taste of agave as well, which is very interesting.”
Ingredients:
40ml (1.4 oz) Maestro Dobel Añejo Tequila
15ml (0.5 oz) Créme de Cacao (Giffard)
2 dashes of Angostura Bitters
2 dashes of Orange Bitters
Orange Peel & Grated Nutmeg
Method:
Mix all ingredients into a mixing glass full of ice cubes. Stir for about 20-30 seconds.
Strain into a rocks glass over ice. Garnish with orange peel and a little grated nutmeg.
