Illegal Margarita
- 1 oz mezcal (Del Maguey Vida)
- 1/2 oz Jamaican white overproof rum
- 1/2 oz falernum (Maggie's Farm)
- 1 tsp (5 ml) maraschino liqueur
- 1/3 oz simple syrup
- 3/4 oz fresh squeezed lime juice
- 2 drops 20% saline solution (or a pinch of sea salt)
Shake with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Optionally, garnish with a desiccated lime wheel.
We came across the Illegal Margarita in the Cocktail Society website and also checked it out on Difford's. It is unusual in being a modern recipe but with unknown origins. At first glance the marriage of mezcal with Jamaican overproof rum sounds highly suspicious but it works wonderfully! The mezcal brings a little smokiness to the aftertaste and the rum contributes just a hint of Jamaican funk. If you can locate a bottle of Maggie's Farm Falernum you'll add a touch of spice too. This drink restores a little mystery to the tired old Margarita and forms a noble addition to the modern cocktail canon.