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This simple mezcalini recipe infuses grapefruit and basil with the complex and smoky flavors of espadín mezcal. The result is a sophisticated drink with perfectly balanced layers of flavor.
Table of Contents
📖 About
Although there’s not an exact definition of what a traditional mezcalini is, most recipes fall somewhere in between a margarita, mojito, and martini. There are often four main components that make up a mezcalini:
- Mezcal
- Fresh fruit
- Herbs
- Sweetener
Today, we’re making a grapefruit-basil mezcalini that’s full of tart, sweet, herbaceous, and smoky flavors. This drink is easy to make at home for a nightcap or before you head out on the town!
🌵 What is Mezcal?
If you’ve never tasted mezcal before, it’s quite different from tequila. As they say “all tequila is mezcal, but not all mezcal is tequila” (think what scotch is to whisky or champagne is to sparkling wine).
Mezcal is a type of distilled Mexican alcohol that can be made from over 30 varieties of agave — the most common being espadín. To be called tequila, it needs to be made specifically with Agave tequilana (blue agave) in the state of Jalisco.
Mezcal can be produced in a few different Mexican states, but over 60-70% comes from Oaxaca where there are now thousands of artisanal distilleries.
The smoky characteristic that differentiates mezcal from tequila comes from the fact that it is smoked in an underground pit. Seems fitting as mezcal stems from the Nahuatl word “mexcalli,” meaning “oven-cooked agave”.
For more information about the unique history of mezcal, make sure you check out this mezcal history video or this mezcal article.
🍲 Ingredients & substitutions
For complete ingredient measurements and instructions, see our recipe card.
- Mezcal: Espadín is the most common type. A great all-around mezcal in terms of taste and affordability is Montelobos, but another popular brand is Del Maguey.
- Grapefruit: Use fresh-squeezed pink or red grapefruit juice for this recipe.
- Basil: We use cinnamon basil (or Mexican basil), but Thai basil or Holy basil work as well to impart different flavors.
- Agave: Light agave is our preferred choice, but you can also make a simple syrup for your drink. If your grapefruit is extra sweet, half or omit the sweetener altogether.
- Ice: To chill both the glasses and the cocktail.
🔪 Instructions
If you have questions about this mezcalini recipe, check out our FAQs or leave a comment.
Step 1: Prepare your martini glass by filling it with 3-4 ice cubes and water. Leave it to chill while you prepare the mezcalini.
Step 2: In a cocktail shaker, add the basil leaves and lightly muddle them with a muddler or the end of a wooden spoon.
Step 3: Add in the agave, grapefruit juice, mezcal, and 4-5 ice cubes. Close the lid and shake for about 15-20 seconds.
Step 4: Empty the martini glass, then double strain the mezcalini through the cocktail shaker and an additional fine mesh strainer directly into it.
Step 5: Garnish your mezcalini with a single basil leaf or a slice of dehydrated grapefruit before serving. Happy drinking!
🥗 Serving suggestions
A mezcalini and an antojito are a great way to kick off your night. Try some of these delicious pairings:
- Aguachile verde: Oyster mushrooms, cucumbers, and red onion marinated with chiles, lime, cilantro, and garlic on tostadas.
- Tostaguac: Creamy refried beans and guacamole served on crispy tostadas.
- Garnachas: Fried corn bases topped with red salsa, jackfruit, and tangy cabbage slaw.
- Picaditas: Corn tortillas topped with red or green salsa, onions, and queso.
🌡️ Storage
Here are a few time-saving tips and basil storage instructions:
- Make ahead: If you’re planning to make a few mezcalinis for a gathering, we suggest squeezing the juice beforehand to save time.
- Fridge: Basil should be kept out of the fridge in a fresh cup of water just like you would flowers.
♻️ Variations
- Mezcal: Each mezcal has a unique flavor profile depending on the agave varietal, environment, and soil. Try tobalá, tobaziche, tepeztate, arronqueño, or another espadín to infuse new flavors.
- Flavor pairings: Combinations like lime or lemon and mint, or orange and cinnamon will work in place of the grapefruit and basil.
- Sugar-free: For a sugar-free drink, use stevia drops or omit the agave.
- Frozen: For a unique and refreshing twist on this drink, try a frozen version like these greyhound cocktail popsicles.
🧑🍳 Top tips
- Chill the glass. Ensure your mezcalini is ice-cold by adding ice and water to the glass before serving.
- Double strain. Double straining keeps out any bits of basil or pulp and seeds from the grapefruit.
- Fresh squeezed. Make sure your grapefruit juice is fresh-squeezed for the best flavors.
- Don’t forget to muddle. Muddling or twisting basil releases the oils and helps infuse the herbaceous flavors.
- Sweetness. For a less sweet mezcalini, use a 1/4-ounce of agave. For an even sweeter drink, use a 3/4-ounce.
💬 FAQ
No! Mezcalinis can be served in rocks glasses or Collins glasses.
Outside of Mexico, mezcal is not as widely available as tequila. However, you should be able to find at least a few varieties at larger liquor stores or even some online liquor suppliers.
Mexican (cinnamon) basil contains methyl cinnamate, which provides intense anise and cinnamon-like aromas and flavors. Regular (sweet) basil is the most widely grown type and is used in recipes like pesto. It has a spicy clove flavor.
🍴 Similar recipes
If you loved this mezcalini, be sure to check out some other cocktails and drinks like these:
- Cantaritos: Citrus-packed cocktail featuring grapefruit, lime, lemon, and orange with grapefruit soda and a pinch of salt.
- Chelada: The most refreshing way to enjoy a Mexican cerveza.
- Mangonada: A crazy combination of frozen mangoes, chamoy, chile-lime seasoning, and tamarindo candy straws.
- Homemade margaritas: Freshly squeezed citrus fruits and tequila served on the rocks!
- Dirty Shirley: For a spiked take on the traditional mocktail.
- Mezcal margarita: Another fun twist on a traditional margarita!
- Citrus liqueur recipe: A bright, zesty, and easily customizable liqueur.
- Blueberry margarita: Made with fresh blueberries and just the right kick of tequila.
- Vodka mocktail: The perfect option when you’re in the mood for a cocktail but want to keep things alcohol-free!
Grapefruit Mezcalini
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Muddler
- Fine strainer
- Martini glass
- Citrus juicer
- Knife
Ingredients
- 6-8 basil leaves ($0.10)
- ½ ounce agave ($0.08)
- 3 ounces fresh grapefruit juice ($0.22)
- 2 ounces mezcal espadín ($2.12)
- Ice cubes ($0.01)
Garnishes optional
- Basil leaves
- Dehydrated grapefruit slices
Instructions
- Prepare a martini glass by filling it with 3-4 ice cubes and water. Set aside.
- In a cocktail shaker, add basil and lightly muddle with a muddler or the end of a wooden spoon.
- Add in the agave, grapefruit juice, mezcal, and 4-5 ice cubes. Close and shake for 15-20 seconds.
- Empty the martini glass, then double strain the mezcalini through the cocktail shaker and an additional fine-mesh strainer directly into the glass.
- Garnish with a single basil leaf or a slice of dehydrated grapefruit before serving. Happy drinking!
Video
Notes
- Chill the glass. Ensure your mezcalini is ice-cold by adding ice and water to the glass before serving.
- Double strain. Double straining keeps out any bits of basil or pulp and seeds from the grapefruit.
- Fresh squeezed. Make sure your grapefruit juice is fresh-squeezed for the best flavors.
- Don’t forget to muddle. Muddling or twisting basil releases the oils and helps infuse the herbaceous flavors.
- Sweetness. For a less sweet mezcalini, use a 1/4-ounce of agave. For an even sweeter drink, use a 3/4-ounce.
- Optional ingredients are not reflected in the price or calories of our recipes.
- We calculate nutritional information for our recipes with Cronometer.
- Recipe cost calculations are based on ingredients local to us and may vary from recipe to recipe. All prices are in USD.
