Smoky Citrus Rye Stirred Cocktail
A bold rye whiskey cocktail balanced with smoky mezcal and bright citrus, stirred to silky perfection. This recipe, ready in about 5 minutes, brings together rye whiskey, mezcal, fresh lemon juice for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 1, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 oz rye whiskey
- 1/2 oz mezcal
- 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 oz agave syrup
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Fill a mixing glass halfway with large ice cubes. Pour in 2 oz rye whiskey, 1/2 oz mezcal, 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice, 1/2 oz agave syrup, and 2 dashes Angostura bitters.
- Step 2: Stir gently with a bar spoon for 30 seconds to chill and dilute slightly.
- Step 3: Strain the cocktail through a fine mesh strainer into a chilled rocks glass filled with one large clear ice cube.
- Step 4: Express the oils of a lemon twist over the surface, then rim the glass and drop the twist in as garnish.








