The place to Style Mezcal in Mexico Metropolis

Whereas tequila holds the title as Mexico’s hottest drink, mezcal is quickly gaining consideration for good purpose — it’s a wine lover’s spirit. Mezcal producers, or mezcaleros, make the most of a spread of untamed and cultivated agave species that, coupled with regional terroir, present distinct flavors and textures. Add the varied manufacturing processes into the combo, and one may spend a lifetime attempting to grasp this spirit. Although Oaxaca serves as the guts of mezcal manufacturing, the designation of origin (D.O.) permits mezcal to be made in 9 Mexican states.

Whether or not you’re a seasoned connoisseur or simply starting to discover the class, Mexico Metropolis presents a terrific place to begin with its vary of bars, retailers, and tasting salons. Given the town’s sprawling structure, this information breaks down the choices by neighborhood, together with the place to remain for a mezcal cocktail. 

Roma

Tlecān

Mexico Metropolis’s cocktail scene has earned a global repute, partially because of the slew of awards bestowed on its bars by 50 Greatest. Named after the Náhuatl phrase for “place of fireplace,” Tlecān landed on the 50 Greatest Bars listing for being a mezcaleria with a singular perspective, notably by celebrating Mexican heritage on the menu and with decor. Earthen hues and clay pottery textural cues evoke the wild desert landscapes the place agave grows. A deep reverence for Prehispanic tradition is obvious with the enduring Disc of Dying sculpture that adorns the bar and the artisanal agave distillates sourced from small, impartial producers throughout Mexico.

Co-owner Eli Martínez, the previous head bartender at Pujol, designed a drink menu that highlights the variations in distillates by way of each neat pours and creative cocktails within the standing-room-only area. Signature drinks just like the Paloma Blanca, made with carbonated clarified grapefruit juice, mezcal, lime, and grapefruit salt, and the Tascalate Bitter, impressed by an historical beverage from the Mexican state of Chiapas, spotlight the menu’s method. Reservations are steered although not required.

El Palenquito

Beneficial by Tosba Mezcal’s Elisandro Gonzalez, an artisan producer in North Oaxaca, El Palenquito (sister bar to La Clandestina) contains a slew of small manufacturers found by the proprietor who travels all through the Oaxacan state to supply mezcal and transport it in big water jugs. Written in Spanish (use Google translate), the menu presents intensive particulars concerning the manufacturing strategies for every spirit. Order tastings by the ounce or small pitcher. As with wine, one of the simplest ways to find out about mezcal is to style side-by-side. Order a flight and examine agave varieties, manufacturing strategies, and even terroir throughout areas in Oaxaca or states in Mexico. Don’t neglect a facet of chapulines (fried grasshoppers) to snack in the dead of night, moody area.

Recia

Situated in Roma Norte, Recia was based by Ana Blanco and Alberto Espinosa, who’ve a decade of mezcal tradition and hospitality expertise mixed and collaborations with households from totally different areas of Oaxaca. Their modern, elegant tasting room is inside an emblematic constructing constructed by former president Porfiri Díaz and full of historical past and legends. Take the elevator to the highest ground, then search out the outdated metallic knocking deal with. Inside, you’ll observe your hosts down a stunning marble hallway to Recia’s personal mezcal expertise. Friends style mezcal principally from wild and semi-wild uncommon and comparatively unknown agave species. E book by way of e mail or DM on Instagram @recia_mx.

AlmaMezcalera

Based in 2009 by Erick Rodriguez, AlmaMezcalera is understood by insiders for its distinctive mezcal tasting expertise. Typically known as the “Indiana Jones of Agave,” Rodriguez sources mezcals from 23 small producers, together with areas outdoors Oaxaca like Puebla, Michoacán, and Durango. The makers solely depend on conventional mezcal manufacturing strategies with no fashionable tools and batches starting from 5 to 80 liters. Tastings are held in his Roma Sur bodega, full of artisanal artifacts and growing older mezcals. Rodriguez promotes sustainability and equity, with AlmaMezcalera rising purely by phrase of mouth. Contact Erick Rodríguez on Instagram @almamezcalera, @pal_alma_mezcal, or Whatsapp +52 55 1201 7844 for an appointment.

Tianguis Mezcalero

Tianguis Mezcalero (TM), based by Paloma Rivera Uribe in 2015, began as an experiment to foster the sale and alternate of mezcals amongst associates outdoors the confines of the normal retail market. It has grown into an impartial undertaking that promotes conventional artisanal mezcals in Mexico Metropolis. TM focuses on cultural occasions that showcase mezcal alongside the delicacies, music, and traditions of those communities. By collaborating with producers and artisans, TM ensures truthful practices and pricing whereas fostering consciousness of mezcal customs and traditions. It additionally distributes mezcal to numerous venues and presents tastings, coaching, and agrotourism experiences, supporting greater than 50 households from 16 mezcal tasks throughout 9 Mexican states. Tastings with TM swimsuit extra skilled spirits shoppers with some grasp of the Spanish language. Comply with @tianguismezcalero on Instagram for occasions and tastings or attain out for a non-public expertise on the warehouse by way of e mail tianguis.mezcalero@gmail.com.

MisMezcales

Should you’re trying to dive deep into mezcal, MisMezcales is the right place to start out. It’s each a store and personal tasting salon owned by Omar Trejo. Trejo speaks wonderful English which helps when explaining his uncommon assortment of small-batch mezcals. Omar presents samples together with detailed tales of every mezcal, together with its household and model historical past, making the expertise each instructional and private. His data is huge, but he stays approachable for the novice. Whereas most bottles are on the market, bear in mind that just a few might not be labeled for simple customs clearance.

La Condesa

La Clandestina

This diminutive spot between the Condesa and Roma Norte neighborhoods lands on practically each listing of mezcalerias to go to in Mexico Metropolis, because of its dedication to the spirit. The homeowners of La Clandestina are captivated with mezcal, providing dozens of artisan choices sourced from round Mexico. Whereas the outside seems unassuming, the dimly lit inside contains a glowing sizzling pink wall lined with glass mezcal barrels and looks like an insider’s secret, particularly while you snag one of many candlelit tables within the again rooms. The cocktail listing incorporates Mexican flavors like avocado, hierbabuena, hibiscus, and habanero. To discover the breadth of the class, order a flight of mezcals. Snacks and small bites embody tacos, fondues, and tlayudas (conventional Oaxacan tortilla “pizzas”), all obtainable with grasshoppers, must you select so as to add the favored crunchy insect.

Mezcalería María Sabina

Mezcalería María Sabina, named after the healer and shaman from Oaxaca, is a country mezcal bar constructed inside a home from the Forties. That includes authentic uncovered brick because the bar’s backdrop, the area highlights over 50 expressions of ancestral and artisanal mezcal from small-batch mezcales that emphasize respect for custom and the surroundings. The choice has been fastidiously curated by the bar supervisor Adrián Vázquez who additionally runs the mixology program. Vázquez creates considerate, delicate mezcal-based cocktails utilizing infusions, salts, and syrups made in-house. For instance, the Lágrimas de Aurora (Aurora’s tears), combines mezcal with vermouth infused with chipotle and garnished with a salt mix of Mexican herbs comparable to hoja santa, avocado leaf, chilcuague, and raíz de oro. On weekends, the area hosts particular occasions with dwell jazz and DJs spinning vinyl.

Tugurio Boutique

This small retail store just lately opened within the Condesa neighborhood simply steps away from Mondrian Condesa. Stroll into Tugurio Boutique and style any of the artisan Mexican distillates featured on the wall, or guide a non-public tasting expertise. Not solely are most bottles within the store not exported, you’re unlikely to search out them wherever else in Mexico Metropolis. The homeowners, with a shared background in mezcal manufacturing and Michelin-starred eating places, supply from small producers across the nation, in addition to in Oaxaca by way of their companion Cynthia Ruiz Villalobos. Villalobos works with an NGO to assist households deliver their tiny batches of mezcal to market by way of the label Aventureros del Mezcal, a few of that are offered by way of Tugurio. The dive bar throughout the road, El Aserrín, doesn’t appear to be a lot however Turgurio’s homeowners just lately took it over to supply reasonably priced entry to their mezcals that may in any other case value 3 times the worth to style in a restaurant like Pujol.

Centro Historico

Bósforo

Go by way of the purple curtains to search out unpretentious and boisterous Bósforo, a downtown bar dedicated to mezcal. Set in an unfinished minimalist area outlined by tall ceilings and an extended, slim bar, ingesting is a standing-room-only affair. Should you arrive early, you may snag a ground seat within the small open loft above. A mixture of younger professionals and artists trying to unwind crowd into the Centro Histórico district bar. Although the guts of the town is experiencing a renaissance, hip ingesting spots are few and much between. Bósforo presents a powerful number of mezcal that’s sourced properly past the guts of Oaxaca to incorporate lesser-known areas like Guerrero, Michoacan, Puebla, and San Luis Potosi.

The place to remain in Mexico Metropolis

Brick Resort

With its prime location for mezcal bar hopping, Brick Resort might be essentially the most elegant property within the energetic Roma neighborhood. This boutique resort housed in a restored Belle Époque mansion boasts membership within the Small Luxurious Motels of the World group. It options 17 fashionable rooms and roomy signature suites that mix elegant historic particulars with fashionable design. The bottom-floor terrace serves as a energetic gathering spot by day, turning into a classy restaurant by night time with wonderful cocktails comprised of an intensive mezcal listing. From $300

Circulo Mexicano

Opened in July 2020 by Grupo Habita, resort Círculo Mexicano occupies a fantastically restored Nineteenth-century residential constructing in Mexico Metropolis’s Centro Histórico. Designed by Ambrosi Etchegaray, the resort blends minimalist fashionable aesthetics with cultural heritage. Its 25 spacious minimalist rooms, impressed by Shaker design, provide a serene retreat, whereas the bottom ground options curated retailers and a mercado with eating choices led by famend chef Gabriela Cámara. The rooftop boasts a pool, bar, and restaurant, providing sweeping metropolis views and a rotating menu of recent Mexican delicacies and wonderful Mezcal-based cocktails. From $245

Mondrian Condesa

The model’s first foray into Latin America, Mondrian selected a former workplace complicated to renovate into an art-filled, design-lovers’ boutique resort. Wonderful location apart, the meals and beverage are the property’s sturdy swimsuit with a beautiful ground-floor terrace serving wonderful margaritas and basic Mexican delicacies. A newly opened rooftop bar buzzes at night time with younger and exquisite locals sipping artistic cocktails. From $155