This mezcal sour is a refreshing and approachable way to enjoy the taste of mezcal. It’s balanced, smoky, and smooth with the familiar tartness of a sour cocktail. It’s made with just four ingredients, and it’s ready in 5 minutes!
Mezcal is one of my favorite spirits, and this mezcal sour sits right at the top of my list when I’m craving a balanced, not-too-sweet cocktail. The combination of smoky mezcal, bright citrus, and gentle sweetness hits that same satisfying note as a whiskey or bourbon sour , but with a distinctly mezcal twist that makes it feel a little more special.
It’s also wonderfully easy to make. All you need is a jar or cocktail shaker, some ice, and four simple ingredients—shake everything hard to build that soft foam, then strain it into a chilled coupe glass. If you already love mezcal, another cocktail you’ll want to keep in rotation is my mezcal margarita recipe .
The drink itself is built on classic sour principles: mezcal for depth, fresh lemon juice for acidity, agave to round things out, and cocktail foamer (or egg white) for that creamy, frothy finish. Garnished simply with a dried citrus wheel or lemon peel, it’s an elegant, refreshing sip that works any time of year.
How to make dried citrus wheels
In the photos, I garnish my mezcal sour with a dried citrus wheel. They’re easy to make and well worth the small extra effort, especially if I’m mixing a few cocktails for a crowd.
To make them, I thinly slice lemons or limes and arrange the slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet. I set the oven to its lowest temperature (mine is 170 degrees Fahrenheit) and let the citrus slowly dehydrate for a few hours, keeping a close eye on them toward the end. Once they look dry, I pull them out of the oven—they’ll crisp up as they cool. If any are still pliable once cooled, I pop them back into the oven for a little longer.
They keep for ages in the pantry, and I usually store them stacked in small mason jars. You can often find dried citrus wheels at the grocery store, but they’re pricey, which is why I prefer to make them myself.
Use them to decorate cocktails, cakes, cookies, and more. You can even string them together with twine to decorate your home around the holidays!
Should I use bitters in this sour?
Because the mezcal is already quite complex, I omit the bitters in this sour cocktail recipe. That said, if you’d like to add a few drops of Angostura bitters for an extra zip of flavor, you certainly can.
Can I make it ahead of time?
Because of the foamy head, this cocktail is best made immediately before serving. Luckily, it’s very simple to make.
Can I use a different sweetener?
I use agave syrup as it blends easily into the drink. If you want to use honey or sugar, you’ll need to dissolve it in a small amount of hot water first.
Mezcal Sour Recipe
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Ingredients
- ▢ 2 ounces mezcal
- ▢ 1 ounce lemon juice
- ▢ 1 ounce agave
- ▢ Cocktail foamer (or egg white)
- ▢ Dried citrus, lemon slice, or strip of lemon peel (to serve)
Instructions
- Add a handful of ice to a cocktail shaker or mason jar and then add the mezcal, lemon juice, agave syrup, and cocktail foamer or egg white. 2 ounces mezcal, 1 ounce lemon juice, 1 ounce agave, Cocktail foamer
- Put the lid on tightly then shake hard for at least 30 seconds to create foam.
- Strain into a coupe glass then garnish with a dried citrus wheel, a slice of lemon, or a strip of lemon peel.
Video
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here .
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Mezcal Sour Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ounces mezcal
- 1 ounce lemon juice
- 1 ounce agave
- Cocktail foamer , or egg white
- Dried citrus, lemon slice, or strip of lemon peel , to serve
Instructions
- Add a handful of ice to a cocktail shaker or mason jar and then add the mezcal, lemon juice, agave syrup, and cocktail foamer or egg white. 2 ounces mezcal, 1 ounce lemon juice, 1 ounce agave, Cocktail foamer
- Put the lid on tightly then shake hard for at least 30 seconds to create foam.
- Strain into a coupe glass then garnish with a dried citrus wheel, a slice of lemon, or a strip of lemon peel.
