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Mezcal Cocktail with Hibiscus and Cilantro

A person's torso their hand holding a red drink in a rocks glass with ice and garnished with flowers.
Photo by Peden + Munk

You can find loose hibiscus flowers at Mexican and Indian grocers, but if not, use 6 hibiscus tea bags instead.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    6 servings

Ingredients

1

/2 cup dried hibiscus flowers

1

/2 cup sugar

3

cups cilantro leaves with tender stems, divided

1

/2 cup mezcal

1

/4 cup fresh lime juice

Cilantro flowers or sprigs (for serving)

Need to make a substitution?

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Bring 3 cups water to a simmer in a medium saucepan. Remove from heat and add hibiscus; let steep 10 minutes. Strain hibiscus tea into a medium bowl; let cool.

    Step 2

    Bring 1 cup water to a simmer in a small saucepan. Add sugar and cook, stirring, until dissolved. Remove from heat; add 2 cups cilantro. Let steep 20 minutes. Strain syrup into a small bowl; let cool.

    Step 3

    To make cocktail, muddle remaining 1 cup cilantro in a large pitcher. Add mezcal, lime juice, hibiscus tea, and 1¼ cups cilantro syrup and stir to combine. Taste and add more syrup if desired, keeping in mind that the flavor will be diluted once you add ice.

    Step 4

    Divide cocktail among ice-filled glasses. Garnish with cilantro flowers.