HIBISCUS BLOOD ORANGE MEZCALRITAS

Happy Saturday, cocktail lovers! I’m back this weekend with my first recipe of 2020, inspired by our recent trip to Mexico and the height of citrus season here in Canada — Hibiscus Blood Orange Mezcalritas! Have you ever tried mezcal? I discovered mezcal during our first trip to Oaxaca back in 2012 and it’s my spirit of choice whenever we’re in Huatulco. This traditional Mexican liquor is closely related to tequila (both are distilled from agave — mezcal can be made from any of several dozen species, while tequila must be made from blue agave) and originated in Oaxaca, which is still the largest producer of mezcal globally. Each time we visit we discover new artisinal varieties — and bring as much as we possibly can home to help ease our Canadian winters with spirited memories!

If you’re looking for an inventive libation that celebrates citrus season and the vibrancy of Mexican culture, you’ll find it in my Hibiscus Blood Orange Mezcalritas! This jubilant craft cocktail is free of dairy, gluten and refined sugar and loaded with better-for-you ingredients, antioxidants and a healthy dose of vitamin C. Inspired by Mexican Agua de Jamaica, hibiscus tea concentrate combines with freshly squeezed blood orange and lime juices, Joven Mezcal, Cointreau and a splash of agave syrup shaken over ice and strained into a pink hibiscus salt rimmed glass. Transport yourself to the healing, pristine waters of the Mexican south pacific with this modernized, seasonal spin on the traditional mezcalrita!

HIBISCUS BLOOD ORANGE MEZCALRITAS

It’s a complete concidence that I’m publishing this recipe on National Margarita Day — but if you love tequila (and margaritas), I highly encourage you to give mezcal (and mezcalritas!) a try!

Since mezcal originated in Oaxaca, you’ll often find mezcalritas, rather than margaritas, on the menu at many Huatulco bars and resturants. When we travel, we like do as the locals do and really immerse ourselves into the cultures and traditions of the places we visit. I’ve sipped on many mezcals over the years during our time in Huatulco (there’s even a mezcal bar in town!), and each time we go back, we discover a new favourite.

During our most trip, an artisinal mezcal produced by Los Danzantes came highly recommended by the locals — and it was love at first sip! Although I have a penchant for Reposado tequila, I fell head over heads for mezcal of the Joven variety during our time in Huatulco earlier this year. Los Danzantes Joven is smooth, citrusy and fresh — and I enjoy sipping it chilled just as much as I do in a mezcalrita. Although we picked it up at Chedraui on our way to the airport (our favourite spot in Huatulco for reasonably priced tequila and mezcal), I was surprised to learn there are a handful of Los Danzantes stockists in Alberta (as well as many other fantastic mezcals available locally), if you’re inclined to imbibe!

Inspired by the flavour profile of my new favourite mezcal and the gorgeous dried hibiscus flowers we brought home from Huatulco, I got to work shaking up my Hibiscus Blood Orange Mezcalritas! Agua de Jamaica is also on the menu at many of our favourite Huatulco haunts (in fact, my very first blog post, Super C Hibiscus Berry Smoothie, was also inspired by Agua de Jamaica!) and before I knew it I’d created an Agua de Jamaica inspired mezcalrita incorporating one of my favourite citrus season fruits — blood oranges! These colourful mezcalritas are incredibly refreshing and brimming with powerhouse ingredients that aid digestion, regulate blood sugar and load you up with tons of vitamin c — so let’s shake one up to help combat cold and flu season, shall we?

Ingredients

Serves 1

HIBISCUS BLOOD ORANGE MEZCALRITA

• 1.5 oz Joven Mezcal
• 0.5 oz Cointreau (or Triple Sec)
• 2 oz Hibiscus Tea Concentrate (recipe to follow)
• 2 oz fresh blood orange juice
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 1 oz agave nectar
• Himalayan pink salt
• Crushed hibiscus flowers

HIBISCUS TEA CONCENTRATE

• 1 cup dried hibiscus flowers
• 2 cups filtered water

Optional Garnish

• Sliced blood oranges
• Hibiscus flowers

Instructions

1. Juice citrus fruit.

2. Prepare Hibiscus Tea Concentrate by combining dried hibiscus flowers and filtered water in saucepan over high heat. Stir and let boil for 5 minutes, then remove the pot from heat. Allow the concentrate steep for an additional 10 minutes before straining and allowing to cool.

3. Add a splash of extra lime juice to a saucer to coat the rim of your glass. Add a thin layer of Himalayan pink salt and crushed hibiscus flowers to another saucer. Dip rim of your glass into the lime juice first, then into the pink salt and hibiscus mixture to create a salted rim.

4. Build your Hibiscus Blood Orange Mezcalritas in a cocktail shaker by adding 8 ice cubes, along with citrus juices, Mezcal, Cointreau, Hibiscus Tea Concentrate and agave nectar. Shake vicariously, until cocktail shaker becomes cold.

5. Strain contents into a cocktail glass.

6. Garnish with a blood orange slice and / or edible flowers.

7. Salud!

5 from 2 votes

Print

HIBISCUS BLOOD ORANGE MEZCALRITA

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

5 mins

Cooling Time

10 mins

Total Time

25 mins

 

My Hibiscus Blood Orange Mezcalritas are an inventive libation that celebrates citrus season and the vibrancy of Mexican culture. This jubilant craft cocktail is free of dairy, gluten and refined sugar and loaded with better-for-you ingredients, antioxidants and a healthy dose of vitamin C. Inspired by Mexican Agua de Jamaica, hibiscus tea concentrate combines with freshly squeezed blood orange and lime juices, Joven Mezcal, Cointreau and a splash of agave syrup shaken over ice and strained into a pink hibiscus salt rimmed glass.

Cuisine: Mexican

Servings: 1

Author: Justine

Ingredients

HIBISCUS BLOOD ORANGE MEZCALRITA

• 1.5 oz Joven Mezcal
• 0.5 oz Cointreau (or Triple Sec)
• 2 oz Hibiscus Tea Concentrate (recipe to follow)
• 2 oz fresh blood orange juice
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 1 oz agave nectar
• Himalayan pink salt
• Crushed hibiscus flowers

HIBISCUS TEA CONCENTRATE

• 1 cup dried hibiscus flowers
• 2 cups filtered water

Optional Garnish

• Sliced blood oranges
• Hibiscus flowers

Instructions

1. Juice citrus fruit.
2. Prepare Hibiscus Tea Concentrate by combining dried hibiscus flowers and filtered water in saucepan over high heat. Stir and let boil for 5 minutes, then remove the pot from heat. Allow the concentrate steep for an additional 10 minutes before straining and allowing to cool.
3. Add a splash of extra lime juice to a saucer to coat the rim of your glass. Add a thin layer of Himalayan pink salt and crushed hibiscus flowers to another saucer. Dip rim of your glass into the lime juice first, then into the pink salt and hibiscus mixture to create a salted rim.
4. Build your Hibiscus Blood Orange Mezcalritas in a cocktail shaker by adding 8 ice cubes, along with citrus juices, Mezcal, Cointreau, Hibiscus Tea Concentrate and agave nectar. Shake vicariously, until cocktail shaker becomes cold.
5. Strain contents into a cocktail glass.
6. Garnish with a blood orange slice and / or edible flowers.
7. Salud!

MORE WINTER COCKTAILS & SANGRIAS

Gingered Cara Cara Grapefruit Paloma

Blood Orange Creamsicle Mimosas

Rose Infused Cherry Gin Fizz

Green Jalapeño Margaritas

Classic Winter Citrus Red Sangria

Do you incorporate food or ingredients you discover traveling into your recipe repertoire? Channeling inspiration from my travels into my daily life is one of my favourite things! If you’re able to find some quality mezcal, I recommend giving this recipe a go and substituting it your favourite tequila based cocktails. That said, if you’re not able to source mezcal you can absolutely still enjoy this recipe with your favourite tequila!

As always, if you try my Hibiscus Blood Orange Mezcalritas leave me a comment below, or tag me on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook! You can also use the hashtag #justinecelinarecipes in your recreations on social media so I can find them — I love it when you guys tag me so I can see what you make! I also have a Pinterest board dedicated to better-for-you cocktail options with clean ingredients. Salud, amigos!

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored and contains my genuine thoughts, ideas and recommendations. JustineCelina uses affiliate and referral links, which allow me to receive a small commission when you make a purchase through one of my links. Thank you for supporting the brands and businesses that support JustineCelina.com!