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Cocktail History
The Mezcaletti is a modern cocktail that was created in 2015 by Richard Boccato at Dutch Kills in New York City, New York. The recipe is known for its surprising amount of depth, especially given that it’s made with just three ingredients: mezcal, Meletti Amaro, and orange bitters.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Mezcal: This is a spirit made in Mexico with agave, sugar, and alcohol that is aged in an underground pit lined with wood. I used Del Maguey Vida Mezcal.
Meletti Amaro: This is a liqueur made in Italy with gentian root, orange peels, spices, violets, and alcohol.
Orange Bitters: This is a food product made with oranges, botanicals, herbs, and alcohol. I used Angostura Orange Bitters.
Lemon Twist: This is the peel of a lemon that has been twisted into a corkscrew shape.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. I used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Mixing Glass: This is used to hold the ingredients while they’re being stirred. I used the Viski 17 oz Cocktail Mixing Glass.
Bar Spoon: This is used to stir ingredients. I used the Barfly Stainless Steel Teardrop Bar Spoon.
Julep Strainer: This is used to strain out ice and solid ingredients after the cocktail is stirred. I used the A Bar Above Julep Strainer.
Peeler: This is used to remove the garnish peel from the citrus. I used the OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Peeler Set.
Tasting Notes
This cocktail has the following flavor profile:
• Appearance: Light golden brown color
• Aroma: Bright citrus and earthy mezcal smokiness
• Taste: Slightly smoky mezcal followed by the herbal and gently bitter essence of the amaro
• Finish: More amaro bitterness with a hint of citrus
Kendall’s Take
“This cocktail leans into some very bold flavors with its combination of mezcal and amaro, creating a drink that’s deeply earthy and complex. The touch of citrus brightens things up just enough to keep everything balanced while still letting those strong ingredients shine. I’d call the Mezcaletti the kind of cocktail that feels a little adventurous—great for more experienced imbibers who enjoys spirits-forward drinks with a lot of character.”
Recipe
This cocktail recipe was found in the book Mezcal + Tequila Cocktails: Mixed Drinks for the Golden Age of Agave by Robert Simonson.
Mezcaletti
Description
The Mezcaletti is a modern cocktail created in 2015 by Richard Boccato at Dutch Kills in New York City. With just three ingredients—mezcal, Meletti Amaro, and orange bitters—it delivers a deceptively complex and smoky flavor.
Ingredients
Method
Add mezcal, amaro, and bitters to a mixing glass.
Fill mixing glass with cubed ice.
Using a bar spoon, stir for 30-45 seconds until well-chilled and slightly diluted.
Fill a lowball glass with fresh cubed ice.
Using a julep strainer, strain into lowball glass.
Garnish with lemon twist.
