Mezcal

MEZCAL
By Vegas Food Nerd

Mezcal is becoming a trendy bar staple. Tequila is more familiar to most, but the truth is that mezcal came first. Tequila is, in fact, just a kind of mezcal, so while you aren’t as familiar with it, you’ve been drinking it for years, or regretting, depending on your experience with tequila. Mezcal is any liquor made from the agave desert plant. Tequila is, by law, made from one kind of agave variety: blue weber. While mezcal can be made from up to 30 different types of agave, both mescal and tequila have long periods for the spirits to mature. The significant difference in their flavors is that for mezcal, agave hearts are charred and deeply roasted in pits creating a smokey flavor. Mezcal is commonly more expensive than its agave cousin tequila, but many different factors can change its flavor profile, such as more extended aging periods and single-region mezcals made from agave varietals in certain regions. They are creating a perfect craft artisan spirit that mixologists, spirit nerds, and specialty bars are getting excited about it. 

It’s a century-old spirit with a history of bold flavors. And because of newly developed productions methods, younger mezcals are offering increasingly unique characteristics to our palate. 

Try this recipe given to us by El Silencio Espadin Mezcal.
Mezcal Margarita
2 oz El Silencio Espadin
1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
½ oz Agave Nectar
Shake and serve over ice. Garnish with a salt rim and a lime wedge.