Mezcal-Tequila Margarita

Name: Mezcal-Tequila Margarita
Yield: 1 drink
Ingredients: 3/4 ounce mezcal; 3/4 ounce reposado tequila; 3/4 ounce orange liqueur (such as Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao, Cointreau or triple sec); 3/4 ounce fresh lime juice; 1/4 ounce simple syrup; Ice; Sal de gusano (worm salt) or kosher salt; Lime wedge

By Rebekah Peppler

Published June 30, 2021

Mezcal-Tequila Margarita — Linda Xiao for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Judy Kim.

Rating: 4(256)
Comments: Read comments

The spirit base of this margarita is split between tequila and mezcal, which gives the final drink a deep, complex flavor, and provides an excellent excuse to rim the glass with sal de gusano, or worm salt. With roots in Oaxaca, Mexico, sal de gusano is made from toasted, ground gusano (the moth larvae that feeds on the agave plant), salt and dried chiles, and is traditionally served alongside mezcal. If you’re running low on tequila or mezcal, feel free to use 1½ ounces total of whichever agave-based spirit you have.

Featured in: The Best Cocktail Is the One You Know by Heart

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Ingredients

Yield:1 drink

For the Cocktail

¾ounce mezcal
¾ounce reposado tequila
¾ounce orange liqueur (such as Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao, Cointreau or triple sec)
¾ounce fresh lime juice
¼ounce simple syrup
Ice

For the Salted Half Rim (optional)

Sal de gusano (worm salt) or kosher salt
Lime wedge

Ingredient Substitution Guide

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Preparation

Step 1
Prepare the salted half rim, if using: In a small shallow bowl or plate, sprinkle a thin layer of the sal de gusano. Run the lime wedge along half of the rim of a rocks glass, then dip the rim into the salt mixture.
Step 2
In a shaker, combine the tequila, mezcal, orange liqueur, lime juice and simple syrup. Add ice, cover, and shake vigorously until the drink is well chilled, about 15 seconds.
Step 3
Fill the glass with ice, then strain the margarita into the glass. Add the lime wedge; enjoy immediately.

Ratings

4 out of 5

256 user ratings

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Comments

Patrick3 years ago

Even easier- 1 part the cheapest tequila you can find, 1 part Newman's Limeade. Skip the salt. Pour over ice. Add a small lime wedge.

mamas cookie3 years ago

Made this last night and of course altered it a bit as we like only a touch of sweet. doubled the mezcal and reposado to make two drinks omitted the cointreau use a tablespoon of simple syrup, next time would use 1/2 TBSP Marinated three slices of jalapeno in the lime juice for two hours(for a little kick)

Oliver3 years ago

This is a great drink that I’ve been making for years. My only recommendation is to substitute agave syrup for the simple syrup. It compliments the agave based spirits flavor profile better than sugar. A little squeeze (about a tsp) or more depending on how tart or sweet you like it. Also the modern classic ratio is in full ounces. 2 spirit, 1 orange liquor, 1 lime juice.

BK11 months ago

Any tips on the best sal de guisano? I've read that it should have the consistency of fresh sea-salt (slightly moist and clumpy). Thanks!

Joseph Buff1 year ago

Ypu don't need the syrup, just add a bit more Cointreau/

Brielle1 year ago

I made this for friends and they dubbed it the best margarita ever, so I’d highly recommend it. Only change I made is I used straight agave instead of simple syrup because I was too lazy to make simple syrup and didn’t want it warming up my ice haha. I just did the amount to taste, based on how tart or sweet each person wanted. Make these, it’s well worth the (minimal!) effort!

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