FEATURED COCKTAILS

Paloma ingrata

Nostalgia in a glass, inspired by Mercedes Castro’s Mexican anthem

• 1.5 oz Ilegal Mezcal Joven

• 0.5 oz lime

• 0.75 oz agave nectar

• 1.5 oz grapefruit

• 2 oz IPA beer

Add all ingredients to tin and whip. Shake with 2 ice cubes and dump into a beer glass with salt rim and fill with ice. Garnish with grapefruit peel.

Frozen Zapata horchata

A cool and refreshing play off of the Mexican agua fresca

• 2 oz Ilegal Mezcal Reposado

• 2 oz horchata (Mexican rice milk)

• ¼ oz Licor 43

• ½ oz agave nectar

• 1 dash Fee Brothers Old Fashioned Bitters

• Dash cinnamon

Add all ingredients to a blender with 2 cups of ice and blend until smooth. Pour contents into a collins glass and garnish with cinnamon.

Cóctel al pastor

A balanced cocktail inspired by the rich and savory flavors of traditional tacos al pastor

• 2 oz Ilegal Mezcal Joven

• 1 oz Achiote-infused pineapple juice*

• 1 oz lime juice

• 0.5 oz agave nectar

• Tortilla salt rim**

*Achiote-infused pineapple juice: Add to 1 qt pineapple juice 3.5 oz Achiote paste and stir until dissolved.

**Tortilla salt: Add 1 cup of corn nuts to a blender and blend until the corn nuts are the consistency of course sea salt. Then mix into 5 cups of salt.

Add all ingredients to a shaker and shake vigorously until chilled. Strain into a rocks glass rimmed with tortilla salt with fresh ice. Garnish with a pineapple slice.

Photos: Steve Piñeda