Cocktails
Christmas Orange-Spice Mezcal Ginger Highball
Build a Christmas mezcal highball with 45 ml mezcal, 45 ml orange juice, 15 ml fresh lime juice and 90 ml nonalcoholic ginger beer. One 7-minute cocktail, approximately 160 kcal and 9% ABV before ice dilution; optional garnishes are excluded.
A Christmas Orange-Spice Mezcal Ginger Highball is a bright, lightly smoky alternative to another creamy dessert martini or vodka punch. Fresh orange and lime balance the earthy mezcal, while chilled nonalcoholic ginger beer adds the festive ginger bite and bubbles. A cinnamon stick and star anise make an aromatic garnish, not a syrup you have to cook. This is an adult cocktail containing mezcal.
Includes juicing citrus, measuring, building over ice and optional garnish.
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WHAT YOU NEED
Ingredients
METHOD
How to make it
- Prepare the fruit. Wash the orange and lime. Squeeze and strain 1 1/2 fl oz (45 ml) orange juice and 1/2 fl oz (15 ml) lime juice. Cut one thin orange wheel if using it as a garnish.
- Prepare the optional aromatics. Rinse the rosemary sprig and three cranberries. Set out one cinnamon stick and one whole star anise. These are decorations, not ingredients to muddle or swallow.
- Fill the glass. Put approximately 1 cup (140 g) ice cubes into a 10–12 fl oz rocks glass.
- Add the still ingredients. Pour in 1 1/2 fl oz (45 ml) mezcal, the measured orange juice and lime juice. Stir gently for about 5 seconds to combine.
- Top with ginger beer. Slowly add 3 fl oz (90 ml) cold 0% ABV ginger beer down the inside of the glass. Give the drink one gentle lift with a bar spoon; avoid vigorous stirring so the bubbles last.
- Garnish and serve. Slip in the orange wheel and, if desired, add the cinnamon stick, star anise, rosemary and decorative cranberries. Remove whole spices and cranberries before drinking. Serve immediately.
Recipe notes
Approximately 160 kcal from the measured liquids only, excluding garnishes. With 45 ml of 40% ABV mezcal in 195 ml of liquid, approximately 9% ABV before ice dilution; served strength falls as ice melts. Ginger beer must be labeled 0% ABV. Not yet physically tested or tasted by the owner.
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More in this article 4 sections
What does a mezcal ginger highball taste like?
The intended balance is smoky, juicy and gingery: mezcal gives a subtle smoke note, orange brings sweetness, lime adds acidity, and ginger beer provides fizz. Different mezcals vary greatly in smokiness, so a mild espadín is a practical starting point. This is a proposed flavor profile, not a claim that the recipe has been physically taste-tested.
Mezcal versus tequila: can I substitute?
Blanco tequila can replace the mezcal in the same 1 1/2 fl oz (45 ml) quantity, but the smoky character will be much softer. For a separate tequila-based Christmas drink with a shaken foam, see our Pomegranate-Rosemary Tequila Sour. If you prefer a wine-based drink, try the Christmas Cranberry Rosemary Spritz.
Can I batch this for a Christmas party?
For four servings, refrigerate 6 fl oz (180 ml) mezcal, 6 fl oz (180 ml) strained orange juice and 2 fl oz (60 ml) lime juice together in a covered pitcher for a few hours. Divide between four ice-filled glasses, then top each with 3 fl oz (90 ml) chilled 0% ABV ginger beer. Do not put the fizzy ginger beer into the pitcher early or shake it in a sealed shaker. Wash and cut the garnish shortly before serving.
Calories, ABV and food-safety notes
Approximately 160 kcal per glass, calculated from 45 ml of 40% ABV mezcal (about 100 kcal), 45 ml orange juice (about 20 kcal), 15 ml lime juice (about 4 kcal) and 90 ml sweetened ginger beer (about 35 kcal). Brands vary. Garnishes and discarded ice are excluded. The measured 195 ml of liquid contains 18 ml pure alcohol, or about 9% ABV before ice melts; dilution in the glass lowers the served ABV. This editorial recipe has not been physically prepared or tasted by the owner.
Keep the mezcal drink separate from children's cups. For a distinct zero-alcohol New Year's option, make our Pear-Ginger Cinnamon Fizz for Kids. Browse more Christmas drinks for holiday entertaining.
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