The Desert Bird is a modern cocktail that was created at Esquire Tavern in San Antonio, Texas. It's a variation of the Jungle Bird, another popular tiki drink that mixes tequila with pineapple, Campari, and lime, but this version swaps out tequila for mezcal to add more smokiness and uses homemade pineapple gum syrup instead of fresh pineapple juice.
Add tequila, mezcal, pineapple gum syrup, Campari, lime juice, and saline solution to a shaker.
Fill shaker with cubed ice.
Shake for 10-20 seconds.
Fill a lowball glass with cracked ice.
Using a Hawthorne strainer, strain into lowball glass.
Garnish with lime wheel.