A riff on the sweet classic Grasshopper cocktail. Legend has it the drink was invented in 1918 at Tujague’s Restaurant in New Orleans’ French Quarter.
Add to shaker:
1oz crema de menth
1oz cream
1oz crema de cacao
1oz Ilegal Mezcal Joven
Shake until chilled and strain into stemmed glass
Garnish with Mexican chocolate
A carajillo is a sweet & easy to prepare Spanish & Mexican classic with Espresso & Licor43.
Add to shaker:
2oz espresso (or very strong coffee), cooled slightly
1.5oz Licor 43
1.5oz Ilegal Mezcal Reposado
Shake until chilled and strain into glass with fresh ice
Garnish with orange twist
1.5oz Ilegal Mezcal Joven
1.5oz Cucumber Juice
.75oz Simple Syrup
.5oz Ancho Reyes
.5oz Fresh Lime
Build all ingredients in cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously with ice. Strain over fresh ice and garnish with a cucumber sliver.
Signature Ilegal Mezcal Cocktail by Carlos Abeyta
.75oz Ilegal Mezcal Joven
.75oz Triple Sec
.75oz Aperol
.75oz LimeJuice
Lemon Peel Garnish
Build all ingredients in cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously with ice. Strain up into coupe or Nick and Nora glass and finish with lime zest.
A mezcal riff on the classic Paper Plane cocktail
1.5oz Ilegal Mezcal Joven
.50oz Lime Juice
1oz Lemon Simple Syrup (or regular simple syrup)
1oz Peach Puree
Lime Wheel Garnish
Build all ingredients in cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously with ice. Strain over fresh ice with dehydrated lime wheel or lemon zest garnish.
Signature Ilegal Mezcal Cocktail by Carlos Abeyta
1.5oz Ilegal Mezcal Joven
.75oz Lime Juice
.75oz Pineapple Juice
.50oz Agave Syrup
3 slices of cucumber muddled
Build all ingredients in cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously with ice. Strain over fresh ice with no garnish
Signature Ilegal Mezcal Cocktail by Gilberto Marquez
3 Scoops Van Leeuwen Paloma Sorbet
1oz Ilegal Mezcal Joven
1oz Grapefruit Juice
1 Beer
Pour mezcal and grapefruit juice over the sorbet, and top off with beer (we use Tecate).
Ilegal Mezcal Joven is an ingredient in Van Leeuwen’s January flavor of the month, inspired by the Paloma cocktail.
Signature Ilegal Mezcal Cocktail by Gilbert Marquez
ARTIST STATEMENT:
Hidden in the south of Mexico lies a small region containing a community which follows pre-columbian Zapotecan customs. Juchitán is not only the last matriarchy in Mexico but also the only place in the country that acknowledges a third gender. Our collaboration revolves around them; the Muxes.
The Muxes are what American society would classify as transgender. Male born members of the Zapotecan culture that take on the roles of women. The inspiration for this project is the deep involvement of the Muxes’ role in their community. In an age of increasing connectivity and outside influences, the Muxes and the ancient Zapotecan traditions are being preserved and protected by the people and government of Oaxaca, from the heteronormativity that most cultures impose.
Immersing ourselves in their culture and integrating with the members of this region, we captured their truthful spirit, transforming it into visual statements for our audience to feel and experience. Through a combination of photography and mixed media, we to show our viewers how this society that is run with respect and acceptance is more beneficial than harmful.
We are both queer artists with a mutual admiration for each others artistic styles it was clear to us the necessity to create something beautiful, reflecting the special affinity and respect we have for the sociocultural importance of this group and its members. We hope our viewers feel moved by the evocative and thoughtful visual exploration we present.
x,
Clearly a special occasion sort of spirit—kept under black wax-dipped cork—it can hardly be seen as a coincidence that it dropped just before the holiday season. And yes, it will make a great holiday dram for the agave-lovers in your gift-giving circle. But given the level of craftsmanship involved, the $175 asking price could actually be read as a bargain.
When to use mezcal or tequila? Since mezcal and tequila are both made from agave, they work well in similar drinks. [Ilegal Global Brand Ambassador Gilbert] Marquez uses the mantra, “if it grows together, it goes together.”
“For me, flavors that are endemic to Mexico will always pair well with mezcal or tequila,” he says. Flavors like citrus, agave nectar, and peppers pair well with both liquors. You also can’t go wrong with salt and lime.
Since mezcal has a smokier flavor, it can add depth to cocktails typically associated with tequila, like a margarita or paloma.