WhistlePig Maple Margarita

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz mezcal
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• Juice of 1 lime
• .75 oz WhistlePig barrel-aged syrup
• .5 oz orange liqueur (Cointreau, triple sec, or similar)

Garnishes

• Rimming salt
• Clear ice ball
• Lime wheel

Utensils

• Lemon squeezer
• Cocktail shaker
• Clear ice mold

Directions

In a cereal bowl or small plate, pour enough rimming salt to coat the bottom and set aside. Put ice in your shaker and add all liquid ingredients. Shake vigorously, about 40 times. Use half a juiced lime to moisten the rim of your glass, and then dip it into your rimming salt. Add ice ball to your glass. Strain your cocktail into the prepared glass and garnish with a dehydrated lime wheel. 

Why you'll love this recipe:

This margarita balances mezcal—tequila's smokey cousin—with the sweetness of bourbon barrel-aged organic maple syrup. Use whatever orange liqueur suits your taste and budget, but don't skip the fresh citrus. Pre-squeezed juice or a margarita mix will ruin the drink.