Naked and Famous Mezcal Cocktail

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Equal measurements make this sophisticated cocktail especially easy to remember.
• Smoky mezcal is balanced by bittersweet orange, fresh citrus, and elegant herbal notes.
• A vigorous shake gives the drink a silky texture and an attractive coral-orange color.
• It is ready in 5 minutes and requires no syrups, infusions, or specialized preparation.

Grocery List

• Produce: 1 fresh lime, plus an additional lime for an optional twist or wheel
• Dairy: None
• Pantry: Mezcal, yellow herbal liqueur such as Yellow Chartreuse, Aperol, and ice

Full Ingredients

For the Cocktail

• 3/4 fluid ounce (22 milliliters) mezcal: Choose a joven espadín mezcal with a clean, moderately smoky flavor.
• 3/4 fluid ounce (22 milliliters) yellow herbal liqueur: Yellow Chartreuse provides the signature honeyed, floral, and herbal character.
• 3/4 fluid ounce (22 milliliters) Aperol: This adds bittersweet orange flavor and the cocktail’s warm coral color.
• 3/4 fluid ounce (22 milliliters) freshly squeezed lime juice: One medium lime usually provides enough juice for one cocktail.

For Chilling and Serving

• 1 cup ice: Use fresh, firm ice cubes, dividing them between the serving glass and cocktail shaker.
• 1 thin lime twist or lime wheel: Optional; the cocktail is also traditionally served without a garnish.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Chill the serving glass

Fill a 5- to 6-fluid-ounce coupe or Nick and Nora glass with ice and cold water. Let it stand while you measure and shake the cocktail. Alternatively, place the empty glass in a 0°F (-18°C) freezer for at least 10 minutes before mixing.

Step 2: Squeeze the lime juice

Cut a fresh lime in half and squeeze out 3/4 fluid ounce (22 milliliters) of juice. Strain out the seeds and excess pulp. Freshly squeezed juice is essential here because its bright acidity balances the sweetness of both liqueurs.

Step 3: Measure the equal-parts mixture

Pour 3/4 fluid ounce (22 milliliters) each of mezcal, yellow herbal liqueur, Aperol, and fresh lime juice into a cocktail shaker. Measuring carefully keeps the drink’s smoke, sweetness, bitterness, and acidity in balance.

Step 4: Add ice and shake

Fill the shaker about three-quarters full with fresh ice. Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 12 to 15 seconds, or until the outside of the shaker is very cold and lightly frosted. This chills, dilutes, and aerates the cocktail, softening the stronger herbal and smoky flavors.

Step 5: Prepare the chilled glass

Discard the ice and water from the serving glass, then shake out any remaining droplets. The cold glass helps the cocktail remain near its ideal serving temperature of 38°F to 42°F (3°C to 6°C).

Step 6: Double-strain and serve

Place a fine-mesh strainer over the chilled glass and pour the cocktail through both the shaker’s strainer and the fine-mesh strainer. Double-straining removes small ice chips and lime pulp for a polished, silky finish. Serve immediately, either ungarnished or with one thin lime twist or wheel.

Pro Tips

• Choose a balanced mezcal: A joven espadín with moderate smoke lets the citrus and herbs remain noticeable. An intensely smoky mezcal can overwhelm the drink.
• Use fresh lime: Bottled lime juice tastes flat and can make the cocktail seem overly sweet or harsh.
• Measure every ingredient: Because this is an equal-parts drink, even a small overpour can noticeably change the balance.
• Use plenty of solid ice: Small, wet, or partially melted cubes dilute the drink too quickly. Fresh freezer ice produces better chilling and texture.
• Do not under-shake: A full 12 to 15 seconds of vigorous shaking integrates the herbal liqueur and creates the drink’s smooth mouthfeel.

Variations

• Less smoky: Replace 3/8 fluid ounce (11 milliliters) of the mezcal with 3/8 fluid ounce (11 milliliters) blanco tequila while keeping the total agave spirit measurement at 3/4 fluid ounce.
• Extra citrus aroma: Express a 2-inch lime peel over the finished drink, rub it around the rim, and discard it or place it on the edge of the glass.
• Spicy version: Add one 1/8-inch-thick jalapeño slice to the shaker. Shake with the other ingredients, then double-strain carefully to remove all pepper pieces.

Storage & Make-Ahead

This cocktail is best shaken and served immediately. For advance preparation, combine the mezcal, yellow herbal liqueur, and Aperol in a sealed glass container and refrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or colder for up to 1 week. Squeeze and refrigerate the lime juice separately for no more than 4 hours, then add it immediately before shaking. To prepare 8 cocktails, pre-batch 6 fluid ounces (177 milliliters) of each alcoholic ingredient; shake each serving with 3/4 fluid ounce (22 milliliters) fresh lime juice and fresh ice. Do not store a fully shaken cocktail, as its aroma, temperature, and texture decline quickly.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 178 kcal | Carbs: 15g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 13g | Sodium: 3mg | Cholesterol: 0mg