Mezcalita Fresca Recipe
Ilegal Joven Mezcal shaken with Cointreau, cucumber and lime
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Ingredients
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Mezcalita Fresca Cocktail
Method
Mezcalita Fresca Cocktail
Prepare glass
If desired, run a lime wedge around the rim of a rocks or coupe glass and dip the rim into flaked sea salt or tajín to coat. Set the glass aside and chill briefly.
Muddle cucumber
Place the roughly chopped cucumber slices into a cocktail shaker. Add the simple syrup. Using a muddler, gently but firmly muddle the cucumber until it is broken down and releases its juices — about 8–12 medium strokes. Do not over-muddle to the point of turning the cucumber into pulp; you want fresh juice and aroma.
Build and dry shake
Add the Ilegal Joven Mezcal, Cointreau, and fresh lime juice to the shaker with the muddled cucumber. Perform a dry shake (no ice) vigorously for about 10–15 seconds to help integrate the cucumber and aerate the mixture for a brighter texture.
Shake with ice
Add a generous handful of ice (about 1 cup) to the shaker. Shake vigorously for 12–15 seconds until the shaker is well chilled and slightly frosted.
Double strain and serve
Double-strain the cocktail into the prepared chilled glass using a Hawthorne strainer and a fine mesh strainer (or fine tea strainer) to remove cucumber solids and tiny ice shards. Alternatively, serve over fresh large ice if preferred.
Garnish
Garnish with a thin cucumber wheel or a lime wedge on the rim. Serve immediately.