Mezcal Margarita

Ingredients

• 6 oz joven or reposado mezcal (1.5 oz per serving)
• 3 oz triple sec or Cointreau
• 3 oz freshly squeezed lime juice (about 6 limes)
• 1 oz agave nectar
• 1 cup ice cubes for shaking
• 2 cups crushed ice for serving
• 2 tablespoons coarse sea salt or kosher salt for rimming
• 1 lime, cut into wedges for garnish
• Optional non-alcoholic variation: 6 oz smoked water or lapsang souchong tea cooled, replacing mezcal

Instructions

1. Pour the coarse sea salt onto a small flat plate. Run a lime wedge around the rim of each of the 4 glasses, then press the rims into the salt to coat evenly. Set the glasses aside.
2. In a cocktail shaker, combine the mezcal, triple sec, freshly squeezed lime juice, and agave nectar.
3. Add 1 cup of ice cubes to the shaker, seal it tightly, and shake vigorously for 15 to 20 seconds until the outside of the shaker feels very cold.
4. Fill each salted glass with crushed ice to the top.
5. Strain the mezcal margarita mixture evenly into the 4 prepared glasses, pouring slowly over the crushed ice.
6. Garnish each glass with a fresh lime wedge placed on the rim.
7. For the non-alcoholic variation, replace the mezcal with cooled smoked water or lapsang souchong tea and follow all remaining steps identically to achieve a smoky mocktail.
8. Serve immediately and enjoy responsibly. Each serving contains approximately 1.5 oz of mezcal at roughly 40 percent ABV, keeping individual portions within safe home consumption guidelines.