Upgrade Your Negroni Using One of These Artisanal Mezcals
The classic Negroni cocktail has seen many spins, but one that continues to stand tried and true is the Mezcal Negroni.
This cocktail offers an opportunity to dive deeper into the realm of mezcal. There are various expressions, showcasing the uniqueness of special agave breeds made by small producers with heart and soul.
While experiencing the nuances of an artisanal mezcal is best neat, there are certain top-quality mezcals that will make a classic Negroni come alive in exciting and unexpected ways. Let’s explore them all.
Mala Mia Cuishe
A newcomer to the mezcal crowd, Mala Mia may seem playful by way of its name (“mala mia” translates “my bad” in Spanish), but its mezcal lineup means serious business.
Of their four mezcal expressions, the Cuishe dances onto the bar ready to swoon gin lovers, luring them to the realm of mezcal. Cuishe is a rare agave variety that creates very distinctly herbaceous mezcal, with flavors that range from sage to clove to eucalyptus. Of course, we suggest sipping this mezcal solo, but Mala Mia’s Cuishe is so elegantly herbal that it will mix into a Negroni with finesse, a friend to bartenders eager to convert their gin-loving bar guests.
Ilegal Mezcal Joven
To us, this mezcal is a bar staple – especially when you see how handy it becomes when someone’s eager for a Negroni. Ilegal Mezcal Joven is made from 100% Espadín agave. It’s undoubtedly smoky with seductive citrus notes and a spicy finish that goes too easily with cocktails featuring sweet vermouth. Ilegal’s more pronounced roasted agave tones warm up the more bitter Campari, creating a little liquor love affair that makes for an exceptionally sippable Negroni.
El Buho
El Buho’s flagship Espadín is quite the fine mezcal for mixing. It slips seamlessly into a mezcal Negroni, with its clean and toasty flavors. It’s quite the compliment to Campari, making for an accommodating cocktail on cool evenings.
If you want to take your Negroni to the next artisanal level, El Buho Cuishe is something to experiment with. Though rare and much aspired to be sipped solo, this distinctively herbal mezcal makes a wondrous replacement for the Negroni’s usual partner in crime gin, with distinctive notes of palo santo and sage that warm up Campari’s bitter orange flavors.
Del Maguey VIDA Puebla
While the Del Maguey Vida Classico remains a stunner in many mezcal cocktails, their latest single village spirit steps in with a unique character and a lower ABV, ready to dazzle your mixing glass.
The Vida Puebla is vibrantly earthy, reminiscent of the pine-filled forests of Puebla. This fresh earthiness compliments the hallmark bitter-citrus profile of a Negroni. Vida Puebla’s subtle smokiness is heightened by a clear minerality, adding a lively finish to your Negroni.
Dos Hombres Mezcal Artesanal Joven
While eyes may roll at the thought of another celebrity mezcal, Dos Hombres comes in with a character as humble as its Hollywood founders. The Breaking Bad duo Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul are behind this award-winning mezcal brand, putting their heart and soul into showcasing the terroir and craftsmanship of San Luis del Rio, a small yet legendary agave-producing Oaxacan village.
Dos Hombres Mezcal Artesanal Joven’s smooth, fruity character makes it such a versatile mezcal for mixing. Its undertones of apple and local Mexican fruits carry a roundness and brightness that balances the natural bitterness of a Negroni cocktail.
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