Smoky Margarita Recipes

Steps:

• Add kosher salt to a shallow dish and rim 2 rocks glasses. Fill the glasses with ice.
• Add the mezcal, agave and lime juice to a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake hard.
• Divide the mixture between the glasses. Add a lime wedge and a sprinkle of smoked salt to each and serve.

Steps:

• Combine the sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepot. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, and cook until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool completely. (Makes about 1 cup.)
• To a large pitcher, add the lime juice, orange liqueur, mezcal, orange juice and 1/4 cup simple syrup. Stir to combine. Taste and add more simple syrup if desired.
• Moisten the rim of the 4 to 6 rocks glasses with a clementine wheel and then dip the rims in margarita salt. Add ice to the glasses (not the pitcher) and pour over the margarita mixture.
• Garnish each drink with a clementine wheel, and serve.

Steps:

• Syrup: In a saucepan, combine sugar, lemon zest, and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat; let cool completely. Strain, discarding zest; stir in lemon juice. Cover and refrigerate in an airtight container until cold, at least 1 hour and up to 2 weeks. Makes 2 cups.
• Margarita: In a pitcher, stir together syrup, mezcal, and liqueur. Cover and refrigerate up to 1 day, if desired. Run an orange round along the rim of each serving glass; dip each rim in salt. Add orange rounds and frozen lemon wedges to pitcher. Pour drinks into prepared glasses; serve with more orange rounds and frozen lemon wedges.

Steps:

• Place chile directly over a gas flame, or in a dry cast-iron skillet preheated over high and cook, turning a few times, until blackened all over, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board; let cool completely. Rub a lime wheel around the rims of 2 rocks glasses. Combine salt and sumac on a small plate.
• Dip rims of glasses into salt mixture to coat. Halve chile lengthwise; remove stem, ribs, and seeds. Divide chile, sugar, and mint leaves evenly between 2 glasses; gently pound with a muddling stick or the handle end of a thick wooden spoon until sugar dissolves and chile breaks down into tiny pieces. Fill glasses halfway with ice. Divide tequila, liqueur, and lime juice evenly between glasses; stir to combine. Garnish each with a mint sprig and lime wheel, and serve immediately.