Mezcal has been growing in popularity in recent years among people who enjoy drinking and exploring unique and complex flavors. However, its origins go back over 400 years to a time when the Spanish arrived in Mexico and brought with them distilling technology.  

Although it is commonly mistaken for tequila, mezcal has its own unique qualities that set it apart from any other spirit.  

We chose the winning combo of mezcal and Spindrift Mango Orange to bring you a cocktail that is the perfect symphony of sweet, citrusy, and smoky. It’s best enjoyed with a group of your closest friends by the beach, or anytime you want to make it feel like a warm summer afternoon. 

Mezcal vs Tequila: How Are They Different? 

Mezcal and tequila are both distilled from the agave plant, but that is where their similarities end. Mezcal possesses a unique flavor profile that is both smoky and earthy. The flavor is like that of tequila, but with an added complexity due to the smoking process. 

Tequila must come from blue agave grown within specific regions of Mexico, whereas mezcal can be made from various types of agave, including wild and cultivated, and is produced in various states across Mexico.  

Mezcal is also produced differently, as the agave is roasted in underground pits giving it a smokey, sometimes savory flavor that sets it apart from tequila. Because of this, mezcal is often seen as tequila's more rustic and complex cousin.  

Both are used interchangeably in one of the most famous cocktail recipes of all time: the margarita. We chose mezcal for this recipe and added Spindrift Mango Orange to make our recipe stand out as sparkling, smoky, and uniquely refreshing.

The Spindrift Way

Using sparkling water in mezcal margaritas is a popular technique, and we made it even better by swapping out regular sparkling water for Spindrift Mango Orange.  

The bubbles elevate the other flavors in this cocktail recipe while the real-squeezed juice keeps it delightfully sweet without being overwhelming like regular sour mix.  

The delicate, citrusy flavor of Spindrift Mango Orange complements rather than overpowers the unique qualities of mezcal.  

If you want to be adventurous and make your own version, you can use any of the Spindrift flavors to mix it up. You’ll never be bored of this cocktail recipe!