Although mezcal has been warming gullets for hundreds of years, it's only recently become a hot new spirit on the US cocktail scene.
The last decade has seen its popularity explode, with US sales doubling in the first half of the 2010s. Since then, it's continued to dominate the spirits market.
In 20201, consumption jumped by 53%, exceeding that of tequila.
If you want to try out a truly great mezcal, Clase Azul Guerrero is a superb choice. Its full body makes it ideal for sipping on the rocks, but its dynamic flavor profile is also perfect for cocktail pairing.
Because Guerrero Clase Azul is a premium mezcal, you definitely don't want to add it into a cheap, pre-made cocktail mixer and call it a day. This top-shelf mescal deserves to be paired with high-quality ingredients and allowed to shine in the right recipe.
Are you keen to try out some gorgeous mezcal cocktails? We have you covered. Keep reading for some of the best mezcal Clase Azul Guerrero cocktail recipes to try.
Mezcal Mule
If you enjoy a good Moscow mule, you'll probably love a mezcal mule. If you use a premium mezcal like Clase Azul Guerrero, you'll notice that the subtle smokey notes pair perfectly with the kick of ginger.
To make a mezcal mule, all you need to do is measure one shot of Clase Azul Mezcal Guerrero into a glass that's filled with ice, add a dash of lime juice, and top things off with some cold ginger beer.
While you can use any ginger beer you like, we'd recommend opting for something like Q Spectacular Ginger Beer. Its lower sugar content, higher fizz levels, and all-natural ingredients make it perfect for mixing with a premium spirit like Guerrero Clase Azul.
Mezcal Margarita
Out of all cocktails, margaritas rank as the number one favorite in the US.
Mezcal is often referred to as the spicy, smoky cousin of tequila. Therefore, it makes perfect sense that mezcal margaritas are a thing.
You can use any margarita recipe you like and simply sub in mezcal. Or you can, follow this classic recipe.
For a classic margarita a la mezcal, start by rimming a rocks glass with sea salt. Set the glass aside to dry.
Then measure out 2 ounces of Clase Azul Mezcal Guerrero into a cocktail shaker and add 1/2 an ounce of orange liquor. One of our favorites for a margarita is Cointreau triple sec.
Top things off with 1 ounce of freshly squeezed lime juice (equivalent to roughly half a lime), and 1/2 an ounce of agave nectar. Add ice and shake until the tumbler feels cold.
Add ice to your salt-rimmed glass, and pour the margarita mix into it through a strainer. Garnish your glass with a lime wheel and enjoy.
Strawberry Mezcal Mojito
Did you know that mojito cocktails have been in existence for more than 500 years? This famous highball is traditionally rum-based, but it is yet another cocktail recipe where mezcal can make for a superb substitution that adds interest and a smoky/spicy edge.
If you want to really take things to the next level, don't stop at swapping in mezcal over rum in your next mojito. Instead, we'd recommend trying your hand at this strawberry mezcal mixology masterpiece.
Start by muddling together 2 halved strawberries, 4-5 fresh mint leaves, 1/2 ounce agave syrup, and 1 ounce of lime juice (roughly equal to half a lime) in a shaker.
Then, add ice and 1 ounce of Clase Azul Guerrero and shake until chilled. Pour into a glass, top off with a dash of seltzer, and garnish with a slice of strawberry and a mint sprig.
Take note, if you don't like mint bits in your mojitos, it's best to pour the mix into your glass through a strainer.
A Mezcal Rising Sun
Yet another classic cocktail that shines with mezcal as its spirit is the Rising Sun. Rising Sun cocktails are typically made with rum or vodka, but we'd argue that mezcal lends this tropical cocktail a kick that neither of these spirits can.
To make this zingy rendition, all you have to do is combine the following ingredients in a shaker:
- 1 1/2 ounces of mezcal
- 3/4 cup freshly squeezed grapefruit juice (roughly equivalent to the juice of one grapefruit)
- 1/5 ounce of Maraschino cherry liqueur
- Pinch of salt
- Ice
Shake until cold, pour into a tumbler, and garnish with a wedge of lime.
The Mezcal Sunset
If a Rising Sun doesn't float your boat, why not try a Mezcal Sunset?
The Mezcal Sunset is a delicious take on the classic tequila sunrise. The flavors are similar but have an extra layer of nuance and attitude from the mezcal.
There are numerous variations to the Mezcal Sunset, but for this recipe, we are focusing on a variation that uses pomegranate syrup or molasses. This gives the already beautiful cocktail a moodier, darker hue, which is meant to mimic the color palette of a sunset.
You can buy ready-made pomegranate syrup and molasses, but if you can't find either in a store near you, you can also make your own simple pomegranate syrup from scratch.
All you need to do is combine half a cup of pomegranate juice and half a cup of sugar in a saucepan and heat until the sugar dissolves and the mix reduces to a syrup-like consistency.
To make this rendition of a Mezcal Sunset, pour 1 ounce of Clase Azul Guerrero into a glass, followed by 1 ounce of a nice prosecco or sparkling white wine, and 2 ounces of orange juice. Stir lightly and pour in 1/2 an ounce of pomegranate molasses or syrup.
Mezcal Sour
Are you a sucker for a good whiskey sour? You're not alone. Search data shows that whiskey sour is among the top ten most favorite cocktails in the US.
The whiskey sour is a no-nonsense cocktail, but it doesn't suffer at all from some jazzing up in the spirit department. As it happens, the smokey hot flavor of a good mezcal like Clase Azul Guerrero adds an unexpected, bold element to this balanced drink.
Simply combine 1 ounce of mezcal with 1 egg white (you can opt for a pasteurized egg white if this is preferable), 1 ounce of freshly squeezed lemon juice, and 3/4 of an ounce of agave syrup in a cocktail shaker. Shaker for roughly 20 seconds. This will froth the egg white.
Then, add ice to the shaker, and shake again until the mix is well-chilled. This should take roughly 30 seconds.
Finally, pour through a fine-mesh strainer into a chilled rocks glass or coupe. Finish things off with a dash of bitters and voilà!
Honey & Smoke Mezcal Cocktail
If you love a play of sweet, smokiness, and spiciness in your cocktails, you have to try a Honey & Smoke mezcal.
Even the finest mezcals like Guerrero Clase Azul have a touch of harshness to their flavor profile. Honey is a perfect pairing for taking the edge off a spicy mezcal, while superbly complimenting its smoky notes.
To add an extra kick to this cozy bev, all you need is a good ginger beer, such as Fever Tree.
Start by whisking together 1/2 an ounce of hot water and 1/2 an ounce of honey. Pour into a shaker, along with 2 ounces of Mezcal Clase Azul Guerrero, and the juice from half a lime.
Shake for roughly 10 seconds and pour over ice. Top off with 2 ounces of ginger beer and garnish with a lime slice.
Cheermeister Punch
If you want to amp up the already spicy notes of Clase Azul Guerrero mezcal, we'd recommend this boozy recipe for Cheermeister Punch. This rendition of Cheermeister Punch calls for both mezcal and tequila. If you want to stick to premium spirits, we'd recommend the Clase Azul Reposado tequila, which is rich in woody, fruity, vanilla, toffee, and caramel notes.
To make this warming, wintertime cocktail, you will first need to make a batch of ginger syrup by simmering up:
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 nob of fresh ginger
- 2 jalapeño slices
Simmer for 3 minutes and then let cool. These quantities will make enough syrup for 6 servings of punch.
Rim your glasses with a mix of 1/4 cup salt, 1 teaspoon of chili powder or chipotle powder, and 1 tablespoon of sugar.
Then fill your cocktail shaker with 2 tablespoons of ginger syrup, 1 ounce of mezcal Clase Azul Guerrero, 1 ounce of tequila, the juice of half a lemon, and 1/3 cup of pomegranate juice. Add ice and shake until chilled.
Fill a glass with ice, and strain over the mix. Top up the glass with sparkling water and garnish with a lemon wedge.
La Piña
Most of the cocktails we've listed so far are mezcal takes on classic favorites. The La Piña, however, doesn't borrow from any other recipe. Instead, this refreshing, easy-drinking cocktail is crafted specifically around mezcal.
Start by muddling 1 slice of jalapeno chili with a few sprigs of cilantro. If you want to tone down the heat, remove the seeds from the jalapeno slice.
Add 2 ounces of mezcal, 1 ounce of pineapple juice, 1/2 ounce of lime juice, and 1 tablespoon of agave syrup. Top up your cocktail shaker with ice and shake until chilled.
Add some ice to a cocktail glass, and strain in your La Piña.
The Ruby Diamond
Another beautiful cocktail recipe that calls for mezcal is the Ruby Diamond. To make a Ruby Diamond, you will need 3/4 of an ounce Aperol Orange Aperitif, 1 1/2 ounces gin, 1 1/2 ounces mezcal, 3/4 of an ounce fresh orange juice, and 1/4 ounce fresh lemon juice.
Shake with ice until chilled and serve.
Mezcal Negroni
Negronis are dead simple to make, and a mezcal Negroni is no exception. What is exceptional, however, is the depth of flavor that a great mezcal can inject into a classic Negroni.
To whip up a mezcal Negroni, all you need to do is combine 1 ounce of mezcal, 1 ounce of semi-sweet vermouth, and 1 ounce of Campari.
Mix the ingredients with a few ice cubes, and then strain into an Old Fashioned glass with ice. Squeeze a slice of orange peel over the top and there you go.
Mexican Mint Julep
The mint julep is an iconic cocktail that's synonymous with the Kentucky Derby. The substitution of mezcal in place of whisky gives this classic cocktail a gorgeous Mexican-flavored twist.
Start by combining 1 teaspoon of brown sugar and 5-6 drops of water in a julep cup or rocks glass. Stir the water and sugar until it begins to dissolve. Add 5-6 mint leaves, pressing (not muddling) them into the sugar.
Fill up your glass with crushed ice, and then top with 2 ounces of Clase Azul Guerrero, stir, and garnish with a couple of jalapeno slices and a sprig of mint.
Oaxaca Old Fashioned
No list of mezcal cocktail recipes would be complete without a mezcal Old Fashioned. Why? Because the first rendition of a mezcal Old Fashioned was the cocktail that's famous for introducing the US to the earthy Mexican spirit.
To make this stiff cocktail you will need to start by combining 1/2 an ounce of mezcal with 1 1/2 ounces of reposado tequila, 1 teaspoon of agave nectar, and a couple dashes of Angostura bitters in an Old Fashioned glass.
Add one large ice cube, stir well, and then squeeze a twist of orange rind over the glass and drop it into the cocktail as a garnish.
The Prickly Lady
If you're after some sunny flavors and bright colors, this cocktail is perfectly on point. To make a Prickly Lady, you will need to start by sourcing some prickly pear juice, squeezing your own, or opting for prickly pear syrup.
To mix up your cocktail, combine 1 1/2 ounces of mezcal Clase Azul Guerrero with 1 ounce of Domaine de Canton, 1 ounce of prickly pear juice, 1 tablespoon of lime juice, and 1 teaspoon of sugar. Stir, pour over ice, and top with a lemon slice.
Are You Looking To Pick up a Beautiful Bottle of Clase Azul Guerrero?
Clase Azul Guerrero is some of the best mezcal you can buy. Not only is it smooth on the palate and packed with unusual flavor notes, but this ultra-premium mezcal comes in beautifully handcrafted ceramic bottles. Like the spirit within, each bottle is a piece of art.
If you want to try one of these cocktail recipes and are in need of a bottle of Clase Azul Guerrero mezcal, you've come to the right place.
Not only do we stock a selection of Clase Azul Mezcal Guerrero, but we also have an extensive range of liquors, bitters, mixers, and more.
Browse our selection of mezcal and other cocktail ingredients today.