Mezcal Con Pepino Cocktail

A Memorable Anniversary in Cabo San Lucas

A few years ago, my husband and I celebrated our anniversary at the stunning Resort at Pedregal in Cabo San Lucas. Our vacation fell at the end of October, coinciding with Dia de los Muertos. Experiencing this beautifully celebrated holiday, filled with heartfelt emotions and incredible food, made our trip even more special. From fresh oysters to local fruits and poolside drinks, we were treated to an array of holiday delights throughout our stay.

A Culinary Adventure with Mezcal

One unforgettable evening, we attended a special culinary event featuring impressive displays of food and drink. Among the baskets of dried crispy snacks—think nuts, corn, and even roasted grasshoppers!—we discovered a mezcal tasting station. Mezcal, a smoky alcoholic beverage, is made by harvesting the core of the agave plant, cooking it inside earthenware, and distilling it in clay pots. My husband and I were relatively new to mezcal at the time, but we thoroughly enjoyed sampling the varieties with a squeeze of lime.

Mezcal Cocktails: A New House Favorite

Since that trip, mezcal cocktails have become a staple in our home. The standout favorite is the Mezcal con Pepino. This cocktail is perfectly refreshing with its smoky mezcal, tart lime, a hint of spice from hot pepper, and cooling muddled cucumber. It’s the ideal TGIF drink, no matter the season.

Recently, my husband took this house favorite to the next level by making a rosemary simple syrup and replacing the agave syrup in the recipe with this new herbaceous addition. The result? A flavor upgrade that’s not necessary but absolutely worth the effort if you’re looking to elevate the drink.

Cucumber Substitutes: Creative Solutions

If you find yourself with all the ingredients for this delicious cocktail, only to realize that your kids have devoured the cucumbers, don’t panic! You can safely substitute an orange sweet bell pepper. The result is a cocktail that resembles the colors of a Hawaiian sunset and is just as refreshing as the cucumber version.

Cheers!

Christina