Bud Recipe

Prepare rim

Pour the Tajin into a shallow dish. If you want a half Tajin / half salt Gunsmoke contrast, mix Tajin and coarse sea salt in the dish (use salt only on a portion). Run the lime wedge around the top half of a chilled pint glass (or beer glass) to wet the rim. Dip only half of the rim into the Tajin so you get a half-Tajin rim. Set the glass aside.

Pour a chilled 12 oz Budweiser Light into the prepared glass just before serving. Keep it cold; do not overfill — leave enough space (about 1 inch) for the cocktail float/topper prepared in the next section.

Build and chill

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add the blanco tequila (0.25 oz), mezcal (0.5 oz), Cointreau (0.5 oz), fresh lime juice (0.5 oz), and simple syrup (0.25 oz).

Shake

Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 8–12 seconds until well chilled (outside of shaker becomes frosty). This chills and slightly dilutes the mix so it sits nicely on the beer.

Fine strain

Using a fine strainer or the shaker's strainer, pour the chilled cocktail mix slowly over the back of a spoon held just above the beer surface (or gently down the side of the glass) so the 1.5 oz mix floats/sits on top rather than mixing immediately into the beer. Aim to leave a visible layered topper of cocktail around 1/2 to 3/4 oz thickness.

Garnish the rim with the lime wheel or wedge placed on the rim where the Tajin is not present (for easy drinking). Optionally add a small cilantro sprig or a thin slice of fresh chile on the lime for aroma and visual appeal.

Serve immediately with a short cocktail spoon or straw for stirring if desired. Advise the drinker to sip the beer and topper together or to swirl lightly to combine flavors — the mezcal and Cointreau will give a smoky-citrus hit that complements the Budweiser Light and the Tajin rim.