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You’ve spritzed your way through summer, but as the air turns crisp, it’s time to switch to something smokier, with a sultry note that warms you from within. Bourbon and whiskey are great choices, sure, but there’s another spirit rising in popularity that’s about to be everywhere this fall: mezcal.
Like tequila, it’s made from agave. While the spirit has been around since the 16th century (and many producers still use the same methods to prepare it), it’s been experiencing a serious boom over the past decade. Even as the overall spirits industry experienced a decline in sales (by dollar amount), tequila and mezcal sales were up nearly 3 percent. It’s been popping up on bar menus all over the country, as bartenders experiment with mezcal-based riffs on negronis and old fashioned, in addition to creating their own cocktails, Beverage Industry reports.
With its smoky notes, mezcal provides a cozy, warming sensation that pairs well with classic fall flavors, like apple, pomegranate and fig—as well as cinnamon, clove and other autumnal spices—making it an ideal base for cocktails. In an old fashioned, it provides an earthier note; in a hot toddy, it creates a more campfire vibe than the typical hot water, lemon, honey and whiskey blend.
Katherine Gillen/PureWow
And, if you can’t let go of the spritz life, no matter how low the temps drop, you’ve got to try a PureWow staff favorite, the Mezcal Cider Spritz—it’s just six ingredients (one of which is optional, and another is ice!) that strikes just the right smoky-tart mix to be dangerously sippable.
That said, the mezcal itself can make or break a cocktail. So, we took on the task of sampling mezcals—and getting recs from at-home mixologists and mezcal fans—to bring you our top five picks.
The Best Mezcal to Try Right Now
Out of the mezcals we’ve tried, this one had the strongest smoky notes and the most robust flavor—with smoothest finish—sipped on its own. The matte black bottle makes it sleek on your bar cart, not to mention giving as a holiday gift, but the true treat is its “delicious burn,” as one tester called it.
If you’re new to mezcal, this is a great introduction. “It’s really clean-tasting and balanced, and it isn’t as intensely smoky as some others on the market,” says food editor Taryn Pire. “My boyfriend has used it to cook pork before as well, so it’s versatile in case you want it on your bar cart but don’t drink often.”
400 Conejos
While the scent is a bit more subtle than others on the market, don’t let that fool you—this mezcal packs a bunch. It takes you on a journey, starting with vanilla and caramel notes—making it one of the sweeter mezcals editors tested—that gives way to strong smoky and woody flavors and a crisp finish. The brand follows artisanal mezcal-making, using copper stills before aging the spirit in American oak barrels (which is where it gets the sweeter notes).
Made from blue agave, Almave is one of the few non-alcoholic spirits that truly tastes like the real deal. Sipped on its own, it’s a bit tea-like, with a smoky finish, but in mocktails, it imparts the smoke, warmth and bite you’d expect from the real deal. There’s a light minerality to it, with a lovely (and subtle) charred pineapple aroma.
rosaluna
Vegan, Kosher and made carbon neutral, Rosaluna is a mezcal you can feel good about sipping. And it’s great to sip, too. You’ll note more of the citrus, tropical fruit and caramel notes in this sip over smokiness here, making it ideal for people who prefer softer, smoother drinks with less bite.
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