If you haven’t jumped on the tequila and mezcal bandwagon, now is the time. According to the Distilled Spirits Council, the agave-based spirits combine to create the fastest-growing liquor segment in the United States, equaling an over $5 billion industry.

Tequila has been at the forefront for years, with the margarita consistently favored as one of the top cocktails enjoyed in America. Still, mezcal is rivaling its sister spirit as consumer appreciation for the smoky Oaxaca-grown spirit grows. And if you aren’t sipping mezcal margaritas, you are missing out. The citrus of the lime and triple sec mixed with smoky, fruity mezcal creates a sweet and savory flavor that elevates the familiar drink to something unexpected and delicious. As we raise a glass on this National Margarita Day, consider doing so with mezcal in your mix versus traditional tequila.

Last year two familiar faces joined forces to create a premium product that can be enjoyed in everything from margaritas to a martini, mule, or Manhattan. Former castmates turned friends turned business partners, Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston, began Dos Hombres Mezcal in early 2021 due to Paul’s love of the spirit.

Paul approached Cranston with the idea of getting into the liquor business together. The two had become close friends while working on AMC’s Breaking Bad, and have remained friends through the years. A fan of the spirit, Paul began the process, bringing Cranston in as the idea came together. Then the two went to the home of mezcal, Oaxaca, to learn the ins and outs of the historical beverage, taste testing, and finding the producer they would want to work with. The result in Dos Hombres Mezcal. The product is available in an option made from Espadin agave and a limited edition Tobala.

Dos Hombres Espadin is crafted from six-year-old Espadin agave plants that cook for four days, infusing the mezcal with smokiness. After roasting, the agave is milled with a traditional stone wheel pulled by donkeys. Fermentation in wooden barrels follows, taking up to ten days. The final step is a slow distillation in small-batch copper pot stills.

The mezcal has a wonderfully smooth palate, layering apple and mango with the classic flavors of smoke with sweet spice from the barrel with a subtle herbaceous quality that lingers throughout. Though smooth enough to be enjoyed neat, it is a harmonious mix of sweet and savory in classic margaritas.
Dos Hombres Margarita
2 parts Dos Hombres Espadin
1 part Cointreau
1/2 part agave
Juice of 1 lime
Juice of 1/2 orange
Process: Add all ingredients to an ice-filled cocktail shaker and shake until very cold. Strain into an ice-filled rocks glass. We recommend adding a bit of Tajin to the rim of your glass for an extra pop of flavor.

#Cheers