Grapefruit Mezcalita
Enjoy a sip of south of the border flavors when you make a Mezcalita! The best part? You never have to leave your home to enjoy this classic Mexican cocktail. Made with bold ingredients like chipotle powder, lime juice, agave, and the perfect amount of mezcal, you’ll love serving this cocktail at any event you have planned. Mix it up with some grapefruit juice and enjoy every summery sip!
Planning a party this summer? Besides the cocktails, you’ll need some appetizers to keep the party going! Consider serving our favorite Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad! For a heartier finger food, you could always serve up some Fajita Quesadillas as well.
Grapefruit Mezcalita
It’s officially summer! We can tell what time of year it is not just by looking at the calendar, but because of that sun beating down relentlessly outside. Don’t be bested by the heat – beat it by making cool cocktails like this Mezcalita!
One of the best ways to cool down in this heat is by sipping on something cold, fruity, and of course – boozy. The best part about a Mezcalita is that while it’s fruity from the grapefruit juice, it’s not overly sweet like many other summertime cocktails.
Instead, it has a refreshing grapefruit flavor that’s only sweetened slightly with agave nectar and sugar. The complexity of it comes from the spicy chipotle powder!
How to Make a Mezcalita
- Mix the chipotle powder and sugar together on a small plate. Set aside.
- Add the ice to a cocktail shaker. Then, pour in the mezcal, grapefruit juice, agave nectar, cointreau, and lime juice. Close and shake well for 30 seconds.
- Run a slice of fresh grapefruit around the edge of a cocktail glass, and dip the rim into the chipotle sugar.
- Pour the cocktail into the glass over ice, and serve.
Tips and Variations:
- Honey or simple syrup may be used instead of agave nectar if preferred.
- Triple sec can be substituted for cointreau.
- You may opt for a salt rim instead by swapping the same amount of salt for the sugar. Alternatively, you could use a premade blend like Tajin seasoning!
- Planning a party? This recipe can be scaled up and made ahead in larger batches for parties and gatherings!
Storage
Storage: If you do make a pitcher of Mezcalita before a party, you can keep it in the fridge for about 8 hours prior to serving. We recommend giving it a good stir before pouring. Keep in mind that while it will hold up fine in the fridge, this drink is best enjoyed when it’s first shaken.
More Summer Cocktail Recipes
Ingredients
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon chipotle powder
- 1 cup ice
- 3 ounces mezcal
- 2 ounces grapefruit juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 ounce agave nectar
- 1 ounces Cointreau
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice, freshly squeezed
Instructions
- Mix the chipotle powder and sugar together on a small plate. Set aside.¼ cup granulated sugar1 teaspoon chipotle powder
- Add the ice to a cocktail shaker. Then, pour in the mezcal, grapefruit juice, agave nectar, cointreau, and lime juice. Close and shake well for 30 seconds.1 cup ice3 ounces mezcal2 ounces grapefruit juice1 ounce agave nectar1 ounces Cointreau1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- Run a slice of fresh grapefruit around the edge of a cocktail glass, and dip the rim into the chipotle sugar.
- Pour the cocktail into the glass over ice, and serve.
Suggested Equipment
Nutrition
Notes
Don’t forget to check out our How to Make a Mezcalita web story!