I've been ordering drinks with mezcal as much as I can to get a feel for how it works and the subtle (sometimes not so subtle) differences between one another; How smoky is this one? Does it work better with this juice or that one? Does it even mix well with other spirits without being a bully? Based on the few that I've had, I can tell you that mezcal is a beautiful addition to a home bar (any bar really) in the way that absinthe is or like having both, bourbon and rye.

1 1/2 oz Montelobos mezcal
1/4 oz St. Elizabeth AllSpice dram
1/4 oz St. George Absinthe Verte
1 1/2 oz mandarin orange juice
2 dashes Taza Chocolate Mexicano extract
2 dashes Bittermen's Xocolatl Mole bitters

Prepare your glass with an absinthe rinse (like you would a Sazerac):

Fill a rocks glass with crushed ice and distribute the absinthe over it.

This will coat the glass with absinthe and help chill the glass.

Pour all ingredients into a shaker and beat the devil out of it.

Ditch the ice from the rocks glass which should now have a lovely absinthe aroma.

Strain into the rinsed glass and garnish with a flamed mandarin wheel.

[ Enjoy ]