Empellón Cocina's Fat-Washed Mezcal
A complex, savory, and smoky cocktail that pushes the boundaries of mezcal. This signature recipe features Ilegal Joven Mezcal washed with the rendered fat of adobo-marinated pork ribs, combined with rich chocolate and coffee liqueurs, and finished with a spicy habanero kick.
What it tastes like
The aroma leads with intense wood smoke and a savory hint of grilled meat from the fat-washed base. On the palate, rich cocoa and bitter coffee provide a heavy body that balances the sharp prickle of habanero heat. The finish is oily and long, leaving a lingering taste of dark chocolate and spiced agave.
Flavour profile
Ingredients
- Adobo Pork Fat-Washed Mezcal2 oz
- Chocolate Liqueur0.75 oz
- Coffee Liqueur0.5 oz
- Habanero Tincture5 drops
Preparation
- 1
Combine the fat-washed mezcal and chocolate liqueur in a mixing glass filled with ice.
- 2
Stir continuously for 45 seconds to ensure proper chilling and dilution.
- 3
Strain the mixture into a chilled Coupe Glass.
- 4
Carefully sink the coffee liqueur to the bottom of the glass by pouring it slowly over the back of a bar spoon against the inside of the glass.
- 5
Finish by garnishing with drops of habanero tincture on the surface.
Substitutions
- Adobo Pork Fat-Washed MezcalCoconut oil-washed mezcal — This maintains the viscous mouthfeel but replaces the savory pork notes with a subtle tropical sweetness.
- Chocolate LiqueurDark crème de cacao — This provides a thinner texture and a more straightforward, sugary cocoa profile.
- Habanero TinctureMuddled jalapeño — The heat becomes more vegetal and less focused than the concentrated tincture.
- Coffee LiqueurCold brew concentrate — It reduces the sugar content significantly and provides a more acidic, roasted bean character.
Variations
Mezcal Mocha Negroni
Substitute the coffee liqueur for Campari to add a botanical bitterness that plays against the chocolate and smoke.
Spiced Pork Old Fashioned
Use the adobo fat-washed mezcal with agave nectar and mole bitters instead of the liqueurs for a drier, spirit-forward profile.