Eleven Epic Mezcal Cocktails to Try This Summer

by Eater Staff Jun 12, 2013, 9:10am EDT

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| Photos: Sarah Dodge

by Eater Staff Jun 12, 2013, 9:10am EDT

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Forget margaritas and celebrate summer with tequila's smoky sibling, mezcal. Terroir-driven, much like wine, the many varieties of mezcal provide a bold alternative to tequila— and even to whiskey. Here in Atlanta, bartenders use the spirit well (see: Greg Best's corn-a-rita, which also had raw corn milk, lemon, and pepper-infused honey, at last year's Atlanta Food & Wine Festival), so we've rounded up twelve of the city's best mezcal cocktails.
—Angela Hansberger

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The Sound Table

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The Manhattan-esque El Sicario is a barrel-aged mix of rye, the bitter and spicy Amaro Nonino, Fernet Branca, and Sombra mezcal.

483 Edgewood Ave. SE, Atlanta, GA 30312

(404) 835-2534

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The Optimist

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Smoke on the Water does smokiness three ways: Vida mezcal, scotch, and a Laphroaig floater. It's also got crème de cassis and lemon.

914 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta, GA 30318

(404) 477-6260

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Seven Lamps

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Prepare to die in a good way with Inigo Montoya, a concoction of small batch Sombra mezcal, Seven Lamps's "Fo" orange soda, and carbonated House Spirits Coffee Liqueur.

3400 Around Lenox Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326

(404) 467-8950

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Empire State South

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The Polcano balances the smokiness of Sombra mezcal with the bitter orange of Aperol, Kummel's caraway and cumin, and salted kumquat syrup.

999 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309

(404) 541-1105

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The Pinewood Tippling Room

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El Pichon pairs mezcal with black cardamom soda and includes Sal De Gusano, a traditional Oaxacan worm salt made from ground gusanos (worms), peppers, and salt. Legit.

254 W Ponce de Leon Ave, Decatur, GA 30030

(404) 373-5507

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Paper Plane

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The dusty pink Trouble in Paradise proves complex on the nose and palate thanks to the vanilla tones of white cacao, which mellow out the mezcal and bring a "grassy brightness" into the cocktail.

340 Church St, Decatur, GA 30030

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Leon's Full Service

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Miles Macquarrie’s El Mirage has lime and pineapple to counterbalance del Maguey Vida mezcal, plus green chartreuse and jalapeno for spiciness.

131 E Ponce de Leon Ave, Decatur, GA 30030

(404) 687-0500

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No. 246

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In addition to mezcal, find citrus, shaken egg white, and Aperol in No. 246's Where There’s Smoke.

129 E Ponce de Leon Ave, Decatur, GA 30030

(678) 399-8246

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4th & Swift

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The on-the-rocks Mexican Rx at 4th & Swift has tequila, mezcal, agave, King's Ginger liqueur, and lime.

621 North Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308

(678) 904-0160

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Holeman & Finch Public House

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The Will & the Word at Holeman and Finch uses lemon, rich Fidencio mezcal, Leopold Bros. Three Pin Liqueur, and Imbue's Petal & Thorn. It has Peychaud's bitters floated on top.