SMOKEY DEVIL COCKTAIL RECIPE
Ideal for evening sipping, dinner party theatre, or anyone who appreciates mezcal’s smoky complexity, the Smokey Devil is layered, complex, and visually stunning. The interplay of fresh fruit, spice, citrus, and smoke makes each sip evolving and immersive.
Ingredients in the Cocktail
Mezcal
Mezcal is a smoky agave spirit from Mexico, made using traditional roasting methods that impart earthy, smoky flavours. In this cocktail, it provides a rich, savoury base that contrasts beautifully with sweet and tart components.
Crème de Cassis
This deep purple liqueur made from blackcurrants adds velvety sweetness, ripe berry flavour, and an inky visual effect as it sinks through the drink. It tempers the smokiness of the mezcal and balances the spice from the ginger beer.
Lime Juice
Fresh lime cuts through the depth of the other ingredients with sharp acidity, adding structure and balance. It also lifts the freshness of the blackberries.
Double Dutch Ginger Beer
Bold and zesty, this mixer adds vibrant ginger spice and natural effervescence. Its heat contrasts beautifully with the cold fruit and complements mezcal's smokiness with a bright, fiery top note.
Blackberries
Used both in the build and the garnish, blackberries add natural sweetness and depth. When muddled, they release juice and aroma that ground the drink in seasonal, fresh fruit flavour.
Rosemary Sprig
Used as a garnish and smoked for effect, rosemary adds an aromatic herbal note that pairs with mezcal's earthy character. The visual impact of the smoking sprig enhances the drinking experience and adds a layer of scent that lingers on the nose.
Expert Tip
For best presentation, use clear ice to allow the cassis to visibly drift through the drink. To smoke the rosemary without overwhelming the drink, light the tip and blow it out after a second or two — the aromatic smoke will gently infuse the glass without overpowering the flavours. For added drama, serve the cocktail under a small glass cloche filled with the smoke for tableside reveal.
ingredients
- 50ml Mezcal
- 25ml Crème de Cassis
- 10ml Fresh Lime Juice
- 100ml Double Dutch Ginger Beer
- 6 Fresh blackberries
- Garnish: Blackberry skewered with a smoking rosemary sprig
- Ice
accessories
- Sturdy tumbler glass (rocks or Old Fashioned style)
- Muddler
- Jigger or measuring spoon
- Bar spoon (optional, for layering)
- Cocktail skewer
- Lighter or match (for smoking rosemary)
Method
- Place 6 blackberries in the base of your tumbler
- Add mezcal and lime juice, then gently muddle to release the juice and aroma from the berries
- Fill the glass with ice
- Top with 100ml Double Dutch Ginger Beer
- Drizzle 25ml Crème de Cassis around the inner rim of the glass — it will slowly sink through the cocktail, adding visual depth and a layered flavour
- Garnish with a blackberry skewered alongside a rosemary sprig
- Light the rosemary briefly to create a subtle aromatic smoke just before serving


