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.
