Easy Cocktail Recipe: Mezcal Cucumber Gatorita

During the summer, I like to spend lots of time outside. Whether it’s going to a music festival, lounging by the pool, or walking around the farmers’ market, sometimes I have to make myself go inside. All that time in the sun can leave you dehydrated, but also thirsty for cocktails. What a conundrum! The solution is the Mezcal Cucumber Gatorita.

Margaritas are a symbol of summertime fun, with bright citrus flavors and tangy tequila. Mezcal is a spirit with a close relationship to tequila, and a similar flavor palette. It’s made from the maguey plant, which is similar to the agave plant used in tequila production. It’s known for having a smoky flavor, with a different kind of sweetness that traditional tequila. For this cocktail recipe, I decided to combine mezcal with Gatorade, to create an easy mixed drink recipe that celebrates the flavors of a margarita, and helps you stay hydrated in the sun, as well.

Mezcal Cucumber Gatorita

• 1 1/2 oz mezcal
• 4 oz Limon Pepino Gatorade
• 1/2 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
• salt for rim (optional)

In a cocktail shaker, mix mezcal, Gatorade, and freshly squeezed lime juice. If you can’t find the Limon Pepino flavor, lemon lime works just fine. Although I recommend the former, because the cucumber lime flavors blend beautifully with the bite of the mezcal. If you like, salt the rim of your glass, add ice, then pour in the shaker contents.

If you like sparkling drinks, leave room to add a little club soda for a lighter taste. To make the Gatorita into a party punch, simply multiply the proportions, adding a little extra booze to account for melting ice in the punch bowl.