Bobbing for Mezcal

Mezcal, tequila’s potently flavored cousin, is smoky, peppery, and best enjoyed as a funky embellishment to a cocktail rather than as the main event. Here it’s mixed with maple liqueur and apple cider, then topped with ginger beer to fizz it up. This isn’t a terribly boozy drink, so you won’t feel guilty making yourself a second or third.

What to buy: Unlike tequila, which must be made from the blue agave plant and produced in the Tequila region of Jalisco, mezcal (or mescal) is a smoky liquor distilled from various species of agave and is made throughout Mexico.

We like Sortilège maple liqueur for its smooth and not-too-sweet blending of Canadian whisky and maple syrup.

See more recipes for fall cocktails.