Let's be frank - January and February were ROUGH. With spring desperately trying to make her debut, it's a perfect time to get friends and family out of hibernation and together for a little gathering. One way to kick things off is with a perfectly seasonal batched cocktail and we have just the thing: Jasmine's Blood Orange Mezcalitas.
I know, this sounds suspiciously like a summer drink. And so what?! Let's banish the cold weather for day and drink a little sunshine. The blood orange component takes advantage of this delectable seasonal citrus and makes for one gorgeous cocktail. Combined with the smokiness of Mezcal, your guests will be seriously grateful.
Blood Orange Mezcalitas (Yields 12-14 cocktails)
1 Bottle (750ml) Mezcal (El Buho or Banhez Ensemble Espadin & Barril Joven)
18 oz Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice
18 oz Fresh Squeezed Blood Orange Juice (roughly 8-9 blood oranges)
9 oz Dry Curaçao
5-6 oz Cold Water
1. Prepare the fresh fruit juices and store in the refrigerator. This can be done up to 36 hours prior to serving the cocktail.
2. About 30 minutes before serving, combine all ingredients in a pitcher and stir well. No need to add ice, the cold water will dilute the cocktail in the same way that shaking it would. Store in the refrigerator.
3. When ready to serve, vigorously stir the batch once again. Prepare rocks glasses with a bit of ice (or a large format cube) and add the Mezcalita. Garnish with a lime wheel or dried blood orange.
A few things to remember: Don’t skimp on the quality of your ingredients. It’s tempting to choose a cheaper or lower grade liquor when serving a crowd, but this is almost always reflected in the overall taste of your drink. No need to reach for the very top shelf, but choose a mid-range, quality product that you’re proud to serve. Your guests and their tastebuds will thank you for it.
Also, fresh squeezed fruit juices play a huge role in many cocktails, so bear in mind that these ingredients have a shelf life of roughly 48 hours. Keep them refrigerated both on their own and when mixed into your concoction.