Smoky Serrano Mint Margarita Food

SMOKY SERRANO-MINT MARGARITA

Steps:

• Place chile directly over a gas flame, or in a dry cast-iron skillet preheated over high and cook, turning a few times, until blackened all over, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board; let cool completely. Rub a lime wheel around the rims of 2 rocks glasses. Combine salt and sumac on a small plate.
• Dip rims of glasses into salt mixture to coat. Halve chile lengthwise; remove stem, ribs, and seeds. Divide chile, sugar, and mint leaves evenly between 2 glasses; gently pound with a muddling stick or the handle end of a thick wooden spoon until sugar dissolves and chile breaks down into tiny pieces. Fill glasses halfway with ice. Divide tequila, liqueur, and lime juice evenly between glasses; stir to combine. Garnish each with a mint sprig and lime wheel, and serve immediately.

SMOKEY MARGARITA

Steps:

• Place tequila, Triple Sec, lime juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker and shake until combined. Serve over ice in a rocks glass and pour mezcal on top; do not stir the mezcal into the drink, as it should "float" on top.

SMOKY ORANGE MARGARITA

Steps:

• Combine the sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepot. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, and cook until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool completely. (Makes about 1 cup.)
• To a large pitcher, add the lime juice, orange liqueur, mezcal, orange juice and 1/4 cup simple syrup. Stir to combine. Taste and add more simple syrup if desired.
• Moisten the rim of the 4 to 6 rocks glasses with a clementine wheel and then dip the rims in margarita salt. Add ice to the glasses (not the pitcher) and pour over the margarita mixture.
• Garnish each drink with a clementine wheel, and serve.

SMOKIN' MARGARITA

Steps:

• Put some agave in a small dish and the black lava salt in another dish. Dip half of the rim of a cocktail glass in the agave and wipe away the excess. Dip the same half into the black lava salt and fill the glass with ice.
• Put the tequila, lime juice, agave, mezcal and egg white if using into a mixing tin, add large ice and shake vigorously. Immediately single-strain over the ice in the prepared glass. Garnish with the lime wedge and serve.