Where to Celebrate International Mezcal Day in NYC
Updated: 26 minutes ago
Mezcal has moved far beyond its reputation as simply tequila’s smokier cousin. Across New York City, bartenders and restaurateurs are highlighting the extraordinary range of Mexico’s agave spirits through thoughtful cocktail programs, small-production bottles, regional traditions, and increasingly creative pairings.
In honor of International Mezcal Day on October 21, we’re spotlighting some of the best places to drink mezcal in NYC right now, from a Tribeca restaurant pouring artisanal Oaxacan mezcal to agave-focused destinations in Midtown and Brooklyn.
Whether you prefer mezcal neat, stirred into a Negroni-inspired cocktail, or paired with cucumber, pineapple, tamarind, or spice, these are the drinks and bars worth seeking out this fall.
Alma
Waterfront District, Brooklyn
The Lopez family brings a multigenerational connection to mezcal that traces back to their family palenque in Oaxaca, where the spirit has been produced for generations. The three-story restaurant features more than 110 tequilas and mezcals, alongside a Mexican menu influenced by Oaxaca and Puebla.
A standout is the Santa Primavera, made with mezcal, fresh cucumber juice, lime, agave, and aromatic hoja santa. It is light, crisp, and slightly smoky, with a clean, refreshing finish.
Fonda Comida Mexicana
Tribeca
At Fonda Comida Mexicana in Tribeca, the Fonda Mezcaloni puts Catedral de mi Padre Mezcal at the center, combining it with Antica Formula sweet vermouth, Campari, and an orange twist. The cocktail has a rich, bittersweet profile with the smoky depth of mezcal balanced by the herbal notes of vermouth and Campari.
The mezcal itself adds another layer to the story. Catedral de mi Padre Mezcal is a father-and-daughter-founded brand producing handcrafted, additive-free artisanal expressions with a strong focus on traditional Oaxacan craftsmanship.
LOLITA NYC
Midtown Manhattan
At LOLITA NYC in Midtown Manhattan, award-winning Beverage Director Marshall Minaya oversees a bar program featuring more than 70 tequilas and mezcals and 50 sugarcane distillates, with an emphasis on additive-free, artisanally produced spirits.
One standout is the Misty Waters, made with Mal Bien Zacate Limón mezcal, gin, savory grapefruit brine, lemongrass, and a vermouth blend. The martini-style cocktail brings mezcal and gin together with lacto-fermented grapefruit and a subtle saline finish, giving it a savory, almost ocean-inspired edge. It is a distinctive choice for drinkers looking to explore mezcal beyond the usual smoky profile.
Mēdüzā Mediterrania
Meatpacking District
At Mēdüzā Mediterrania on Hudson Street, the Smoke & Spice combines Rosaluna Mezcal with Montenegro, Aleppo agave, Firewater, lime, and caramelized pineapple, bringing together smoky, spicy, and slightly sweet flavors in one of the restaurant’s signature cocktails. It's the kind of drink that starts bright and tropical before settling into a smoky, lingering finish.
Mexi
FiDi
Located on the iconic Stone Street, Beverage Director José María Dondé puts a dramatic spin on the Mezcal Negroni with the El Dracula. The cocktail combines hibiscus-infused San Cosme Mezcal with Combier Cacao Liqueur, Salers, Campari, Oloroso Sherry, and saline, creating a vivid red drink with bitter, floral, earthy, and roasted notes. Cacao and gentian add extra depth, while a hibiscus and allspice foam brings aroma, texture, and a subtle layer of spice to the finish.
Mezquila Bar & Tapas
Sunset Park, Brooklyn
The family’s love of agave spirits continues with a selection of more than 100 mezcals and tequilas. The Pelorcio combines mezcal, tamarind, agave, lime juice, spicy salt, and Mexican candy for a playful balance of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors. The cocktail brings one of Mexico’s nostalgic flavor combinations into a bold, colorful drink.
