The Call Mexico is a shaken mezcal cocktail that beautifully marries the smoky flavors of mezcal with the dry, nutty notes of fino sherry. Blended with fresh lime juice, agave syrup, and a hint of bitters, it's a sophisticated drink that balances complexity and refreshment.
The drink recipe is a twist from Simon Difford on the Call London cocktail. He basically replaced gin and lemon juice with mezcal and fresh lime juice. The result is an extremely satisfying cocktail with a great balance between sweet and sour with a delicate hint of smokiness from the mezcal.
Quick facts about the Call Mexico cocktail
- Method: shaken
- Flavor profile: sweet, sour, smoky, savory
- How to serve it: Chilled in a Nick & Nora glass
- Glassware: Nick & Nora glass
- Alcohol content: ~ 13.1% ABV, 12.9 grams of alcohol per serving
Cocktail Ingredients
To craft the Call Mexico cocktail, you'll need:
- Fino Sherry: A dry, light-bodied sherry wine from the Andalusia region of Spain. Known for its crisp and delicate nutty flavors.
- Mezcal (Del Maguey Mezcal Vida): Del Maguey Mezcal Vida brings a balanced smoky and earthy note to the drink.
- Fresh Lime Juice: Adds a refreshing zest that cuts through the sweetness and smokiness, bringing harmony to the cocktail.
- Agave Syrup: Derived from the same plant used to make mezcal and tequila, agave syrup is a natural sweetener with a mild, honey-like flavor.
- Margarita Bitters: A few drops of Margarita bitters infuse the cocktail with nuanced hints of spices and herbs. These are a creation of Difford's, so you might only get them from their store.
- Grapefruit Zest: The zest of a grapefruit contains essential oils that release a fragrant citrus aroma when expressed over the drink. After expressing the zest, use it to decorate the drink.
Bartending Tools
- Cocktail Shaker: An essential tool for any shaken cocktail. I recommend a tin-on-tin shaker (basically a Boston Shaker but only with stainless steel cups), which is easy to use and allows you to thoroughly blend and chill the ingredients.
- Jigger: Another classic - Using a jigger helps maintain consistency in flavor and strength.
- Hawthorne Strainer: Placed over the shaker's opening after shaking, the Hawthorne strainer holds back ice and solids while allowing the liquid to pour smoothly into the glass.
- Citrus Zester or Peeler: A zester creates fine strands, while a peeler provides wider strips - both perfect for garnishing and adding aromatic oils to your cocktail. However, in this case I would recommend a peeler to get a larger zest you can express over the drink.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Chill your glassware: Put your Nick & Nora glass in the freezer for about 10 to 15 minutes before making the cocktail.
- Prepare Your Shaker: Fill your cocktail shaker halfway with ice to chill your ingredients properly.
- Measure and Add all Ingredients: Add all ingredients to your cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake It Up: Seal the shaker and shake vigorously for about 15 to 20 seconds until the drink is well-chilled and the shaker frosty on the outside.
- Strain and Serve: Use a Hawthorne strainer when pouring the mixture into your chilled Nick & Nora glass.
- Garnish: Express the oils of a grapefruit zest over the drink and drop it into the glass or stick it to the rim of the glass.
Equipment
- 1 Cocktail Shaker
- 1 Hawthorne Strainer
- 1 Citrus peeler
- 1 Jigger
Ingredients
- 2 oz Fino Sherry
- ⅔ oz Mezcal
- ⅓ oz Fresh lime juice
- ⅓ oz Agave syrup
- 4 drops Margarita bitters - from Difford's
Instructions
- Chill your Nick & Nora glass in the freezer for about 10 minutes.
- Add all ingredients into your cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Then shake the drink for 15 to 20 seconds.
- Strain into the chilled glass.
- Express an grapefruit peel over the drink, rub it along the rim of the glass, then garnish the drink with it.
FAQs
Use a dry fino sherry for its crisp and delicate flavor that complements the smoky mezcal.
Yes, you can use simple syrup or honey, but it may slightly alter the cocktail's flavor profile.
Substitute with orange bitters or grapefruit bitters to maintain a citrusy note.
The name reflects the cocktail's use of Mexican ingredients like mezcal and agave syrup.
A Nick & Nora glass is ideal, but a coupe glass also works well.
Keep them sealed in a cool, dark place; sherry is best consumed within a few weeks of opening for optimal freshness.