Smoky Mezcal Torchlight

ByKristen Stevens

This mezcal torchlight is a smoky, extra-spicy spin on the classic. Smoky mezcal, tart lime, and honey syrup meet a generous splash of Cholula for a bold, fiery cocktail with real personality.

A cocktail in a glass garnished with a red chili pepper, surrounded by lime slices, a bottle of tequila, and a bottle of Cholula hot sauce.
I love making mezcal cocktails because they’re smoky, bold, and always a little unexpected.

This mezcal torchlight is my smoky, extra-spicy spin on a drink I already love, the Tequila Torchlight, but this one might be even more fun than the original. It's bold, bright, and unapologetically fiery, the kind of cocktail I pour when I want something with real personality. If you love a little heat and a lot of flavor, this one delivers on both.

The flavor is where it really comes alive. Swapping tequila for mezcal gives the drink a deep, smoky edge that stands up beautifully to all that spice. Fresh lime keeps everything tart and lively, honey syrup brings a smooth, mellow sweetness, and a generous splash of Cholula runs a tangy, savory heat right through the middle. I double the hot sauce here, because mezcal's bold flavor can more than handle the extra kick. You get smoky and spicy, sweet and bright, all in one lively glass.

And it could not be simpler to make. A quick shake, a pour over a big ice cube, and a garnish of cayenne and a spicy red pepper, and your mezcal torchlight is ready to sip.

Smoky Mezcal Torchlight Cocktail

A cocktail in a glass garnished with a red chili pepper, surrounded by lime slices, a bottle of tequila, and a bottle of Cholula hot sauce.
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A smoky mezcal torchlight made with mezcal, honey syrup, fresh lime, and a double splash of Cholula. Garnish with cayenne and a spicy red pepper for extra heat.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: 1 cocktail
Course: Cocktail

Ingredients  

  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon hot water
  • 2 ounces mezcal
  • 1 ounce lime juice
  • 12 dashes Cholula sauce see notes
  • Cayenne pepper and fresh chili pepper to garnish

Method
 

  1. Make the honey syrup by mixing honey and hot tap water in a small dish or glass.
    1 tablespoon honey, 1 tablespoon hot water
    A glass with a spoon, surrounded by red chili peppers, a bottle of Cholula hot sauce, a bowl of lime wedges, and a bottle with a blue label, on a white surface.
  2. Add the mezcal, lime juice, Cholula sauce, honey syrup, and ice to a cocktail shaker, then shake until cold.
    2 ounces mezcal, 1 ounce lime juice, 12 dashes Cholula sauce
    A cocktail shaker filled with an orange drink sits on a counter with lime slices, hot sauce, chili peppers, and a tequila bottle nearby.
  3. Pour into a rocks glass with a large ice cube, then garnish with a sprinkle of cayenne pepper and a fresh chili pepper.
    Cayenne pepper and fresh chili pepper
    A glass of orange cocktail garnished with a red chili, surrounded by lime wedges and whole red chilies on a marble surface.

Notes

If you're not sure you're up for the heat, start with less Cholula sauce, shake, taste, and add more if you'd like. 

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Let us know how it was!
Author: Kristen Stevens
A cocktail garnished with a red chili pepper sits on a coaster, surrounded by lime wedges, red chilies, and a bottle of Cholula hot sauce.
A cocktail with an ice sphere, garnished with a red chili, sits on a coaster. Nearby are hot sauce, a tequila bottle, a cocktail shaker, lime wedges, and more chili peppers.

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