How to drink mezcal the Michoacán Way

How you prepare or drink mezcal is a personal preference, but here’s how we at Mocel enjoy drinking it.

Preferably neat

Due to its natural and diverse flavors, the best way to drink mezcal is on its own–without ice, mixers, and garnish. While it can be used in a cocktail, neat is preferable. This way, you can enjoy the subtle nuances of the agave. There is nothing to cover up in our Mocel expressions, so we recommend you try it neat.

Let it breathe and savor the flavors

After pouring your mezcal, let it breathe for a couple of minutes. Meanwhile, sniff the aromas with the glass at chin level. Then take a small sip of mezcal and let it soak in your mouth to awaken your taste buds. Mezcal is intended to be sipped slowly. To get the full experience, take small sips to savor the flavors and aromas of Mocel’s mezcal.

Room temperature or chill?

Mezcal drinkers in Michoacán serve mezcal at room temperature. Chilling mezcal can mute the flavors. This means mezcal typically shouldn’t be served with ice or stored in a refrigerator, but don’t worry–mezcal has a long shelf life.

What type of glassware to use?

Mezcal is best served in a wide-mouthed glass to enhance the aroma of the spirit, which is perfect for mezcal’s subtle notes and sipping method. For specific styles of glassware, try a traditional copita or vaso veladora. A grappa glass or whiskey glass works great, too.