Smoke and Blood

Smoke and Blood is bold and smoky with just the right hit of citrus and spice. Mezcal brings in that deep, earthy flavor, while fresh lime juice keeps things sharp. Blood orange juice adds a rich, slightly sweet note and a striking color. Topped with ginger beer, it finishes with a bit of fizz and heat. It’s a strong, balanced drink that’s great for cool nights or slow afternoons no need for extras, just a solid mix that hits every note without trying too hard. Serve it over ice and let the flavors speak for themselves.

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Tasting Notes

Smoke and Blood brings bold, smoky flavor balanced by bright citrus and spice. Mezcal leads with earthy, roasted notes, but the blood orange juice softens things with a sweet-tart fruitiness. Lime adds a sharp kick that brightens the drink without overpowering it. Ginger beer finishes everything with a warm bite and light bubbles, giving the cocktail just the right amount of heat and fizz. Served ice-cold in a mule mug and topped with a dried orange wheel, it’s smoky, crisp, and easy to sip—perfect for people who want a drink with flavor that doesn’t hold back.

Equipment and Glassware

You’ll need a copper mule mug, a citrus press for the lime, a bar spoon, and a jigger. Crushed ice works best here it chills the drink quickly and helps balance the spice from the ginger beer. The copper mug keeps everything colder longer and fits the smoky vibe of the drink. A bar spoon is handy for stirring once everything’s in the mug. You don’t need a shaker or strainer for this one everything is built right in the glass, making it easy to mix and serve with little cleanup.

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz mezcal
• Juice from half a lime (about 0.5 oz)
• 2 oz blood orange juice
• Ginger beer, to top
• Dried orange wheel, for garnish

Instructions

• Fill a copper mule mug with crushed ice.
• Pour in the mezcal, lime juice, and blood orange juice.
• Top with ginger beer.
• Stir gently to mix.
• Garnish with a dried orange wheel.

Pro Tips

• Use fresh blood orange juice when it’s in season it brings better color and flavor than bottled. If you’re using a store-bought version, shake it first to blend any pulp. Ginger beer should be spicy but smooth Fever-Tree and Q Mixers are good picks. If your mezcal is very smoky, balance with a splash more orange juice. Always stir gently after adding the ginger beer to keep the bubbles. Pre-chill the copper mug if you have time it’ll keep the ice from melting too fast and help the drink stay cold longer.

When to Serve

This Smoke and Blood is great for late afternoons, early evenings, or weekend hangouts. It works especially well in cooler weather thanks to the smoke and spice, but it’s still refreshing enough to sip in summer. Serve it at cookouts, taco nights, or around a fire pit. It fits casual gatherings, but it’s interesting enough to work as a feature drink at a dinner party. Because it’s easy to build in the glass, it’s also perfect for batching at events—just leave the ginger beer for last-minute topping.

Which Liquor Brands to Choose

For mezcal, try something smooth and not too smoky Del Maguey Vida, Bozal Ensamble, or Ilegal Joven are all solid options. The key is to keep it balanced with the citrus and ginger beer. For blood orange juice, fresh-squeezed is best, but bottled juices from Natalie’s or Evolution Fresh are good backups. Lime juice should always be fresh. For ginger beer, go with something strong enough to cut through the mezcal look for brands that are spicy but not too sweet. Chill all ingredients ahead of time for the best result.

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