A Dozen New Mezcal Drinks to Try

Find the seductive spirit at these spots

by Tajha Lanier Sep 22, 2016, 3:00pm EDT

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Columbia Room

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by Tajha Lanier Sep 22, 2016, 3:00pm EDT

The smoky spirit mezcal has made its mark across the Mexican border, exploding in popularity in the U.S. in the past few years. There's good news for D.C.-based fans of the strong (yet seductive) spirit: mezcal can be found all over the city at the moment.

Still wondering what, exactly, is the difference between mezcal and tequila? It all boils down to three main components: location, agave variety, and production. Mezcal and tequila are produced in different regions of Mexico (though there is some overlap) and tequila is only made from blue agave, while mezcal can be made out of many different varieties of agave, including blue agave. Finally, mezcal is produced by baking the agave in an underground pit, a process that dictates its distinctive flavor.

Now on to the important question at hand: where can great mezcal cocktails be found in D.C.? From an extensive list at the newly-opened Espita Mezcaleria in Shaw to a mezcal-infused twist on a classic at The Riggsby in Dupont, here are 12 places to find new mezcal cocktails around the District.

Compass Rose

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The staff at Compass Rose has had mezcal on its mind since a trip to Tulum in April. To celebrate the spirit there's a special pop-up event next week, at which one of the restaurant’s two fall mezcal cocktails will be unveiled. The “La Eufemia” blends Illegal Mezcal Joven with hibiscus lemongrass tea, mango shrub, lime and cinnamon, while the “Casa Sophia” — made of Illegal Mezcal reposado, pear puree, apple cinnamon syrup and lemon — will make its debut at the end of the month.

1346 T St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

(202) 506-4765

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Copycat Co.

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The creative mixologists at Copycat Co. on H Street are currently serving the newly-added “Metal Hurlant” blending mezcal with orange juice, ginger, lime and Angostura bitters — remember to pair with dumplings.

1110 H St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

(202) 241-1952

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El Camino

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El Camino’s mezcal cocktails are brand new for fall. Keep an eye out for the “Selene,” a paloma-style cocktail with mezcal and the “Josefina,” a spicy mezcal-based drink with Luxardo Maraschino, Green Chatreuse, lime juice and serrano pepper.

108 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

(202) 847-0419

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Espita Mezcaleria

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No current list of mezcal in the District would be complete without Espita Mezcaleria, the recently-opened restaurant that puts mezcal first. The drinks menu at this spot in Shaw features a wide range of mezcal-based cocktails, including several that are brand new to the menu — “The Totec,” for example, is a sweet mezcal, Dolin Blanc and Cappeletti cocktail featured on the dessert menu. Espita also does several mezcal tasting flights.

1250 9th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

(202) 621-9695

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Barmini

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Looking for an upscale mezcal cocktail? Jose Andres’ Barmini offers the “Andrés & Cooper” with sweet vermouth, amontillado sherry, cynar and some Iberico mezcal.

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501 9th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

(202) 393-4451

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Oyamel Cocina Mexicana

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Jose Andres’ Mexican spot in Chinatown kicked off “Mezcal Mondays” this month. Every second Monday of the month, mezcal purveyors will offer free tastings at the bar from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. A cocktail using one of the featured mezcals will stick around for the rest of the week — expect a new one in October.

401 7th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

(202) 628-1005

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Provision No. 14

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At Provision No. 14 on 14th Street, on the other hand, visitors can still snag the “Mango-Orange Seasonal Slush,” which features El Silencio mezcal with Denros rum, mango, orange, lime and vanilla. Enjoy this refreshing, summery drink while it lasts.

2100 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

(202) 827-4530

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Rose's Luxury

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The trendy Barracks Row spot is currently featuring a mezcal cocktail that’s an ode to a daiquiri, with Jamaican rum, mezcal for its smoky notes, and charred pineapple.

717 8th St SE, Washington, D.C. 20003

(202) 580-8889

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Slipstream

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Customers come for the coffee and stay for the cocktails at Slipstream — specifically, when it comes to mezcal, for the “Brass Knuckle.” This feature of Slipstream’s current cocktail menu uses orange juice, lemon, habanero tincture and ginger beer built on a mezcal base.

1333 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20005

(202) 450-2216

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The Columbia Room

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The trendy Columbia Room has not one but two mezcal-based cocktails on its current menu. The “This Is Not a Rosé” blends Bruxo No.1 Espadin mezcal with Cocchi Rosa Aperitivo infused with red bell pepper and lapsang souchong. The “Amero,” on the other hand, has mezcal, tequila reposado, chai-spiced maple syrup and aromatic, orange and celery bitters. The “This Is Not a Rosé,” new to the menu for summer, will continue through the fall. The “Amero,” on the other hand, which has been featured since February, is about to come off (though patrons can still order it by name).

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124 Blagden Alley NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

(202) 316-9396

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The Fainting Goat

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At The Fainting Goat on U Street, beverage director Ian Fletcher currently has a cocktail called the “Meztique” on the menu, which is a mix of Rey Campero Espadin mezcal with Luxardo, grapefruit and an Aperol and lime ice cube.

1330 U St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

(202) 735-0344

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The Riggsby

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The cocktail menu at The Riggsby currently features a mezcal-based twist on the classic Last Word cocktail: substitute some mezcal for the gin and the drink becomes the Final Palabra.