The Mezcal Amaro—a smoky, acidic, and spiced cocktail that includes its namesake ingredients, plus ginger beer, grapefruit, and lime juice—is what a Dark & Stormy wants to be. Refreshing and warming, complex but technically straightforward, it upholds a tried-and-true theory: When a drink’s ingredients are delicious on their own, make two.
I made 12 this weekend. Cramped into a house with five of my best friends, it was the perfect group cocktail. Unlike more involved drinks that require specialty ingredients like grenadine or triple sec, every component of the mezcal amaro is useful on its own, meaning my friends were less apprehensive about chipping in for ingredients. Better yet, the cocktail is easily batched: Combine the mezcal, amaro, grapefruit, and lime juice in a large container or pitcher,
and when ready to serve, shake with ice, pour into glasses, and top with ginger beer and a lime wedge.
