Name: Marrakesh Express (Mezcal and Pomegranate Cocktail)
Ingredients: 1 1/2 ounces mezcal; 1 1/2 ounces pomegranate juice (fresh preferred); 3/4 ounce lemon juice; 3/4 ounce 1:1 simple syrup (recipe follows); 1/2 to 1 teaspoon harissa paste (such as Dea), depending on how spicy you want it; 3/4 teaspoon rose water; Splash aquafaba or egg white; Pinch each pomegranate seeds, cracked pink peppercorns, and flaky salt (black, smoked, or Maldon), to garnish

Marrakesh Express

You can buy 100 percent pomegranate juice at many grocery stores, but the fresh stuff is both brighter and more intense in flavor. It’s also remarkably easy to get at—you can put chunky quarters or sixths of a whole pomegranate in your manual citrus squeezer and press the juice right out, no seed-gathering required. It takes just a minute to get enough for this mezcal cocktail created by bartender Gabriella Mlynarczyk.

The fresh pomegranate juice truly shines, with a backdrop of savory harissa heat and a balanced floral aroma from rose water and lemon. A splash of aquafaba—that is, the liquid from a can of chickpeas—adds a delicately foamy texture while keeping the drink vegan-friendly; egg white is a fine substitute if you don’t have chickpeas around.

Ingredients

1 1/2 ounces mezcal

1 1/2 ounces pomegranate juice (fresh preferred)

3/4 ounce lemon juice

3/4 ounce 1:1 simple syrup (recipe follows)

1/2 to 1 teaspoon harissa paste (such as Dea), depending on how spicy you want it

3/4 teaspoon rose water

Splash aquafaba or egg white

Pinch each pomegranate seeds, cracked pink peppercorns, and flaky salt (black, smoked, or Maldon), to garnish

Preparation

Step 1
Combine mezcal, pomegranate juice, lemon juice, simple syrup, harissa, rose water, and aquafaba in a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously without ice for 20 seconds to emulsify. Add ice, reseal shaker, and shake until chilled and foamy, about 30 seconds. Strain into an ice-filled rocks glass. Garnish with a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds, cracked pink peppercorns, and flaky salt.
Simple Syrup: It's Simple
Step 2
For 1:1 simple syrup, add equal parts sugar and hot water in a resealable mason jar. Seal and shake vigorously, until sugar is dissolved. Let cool before using and store for up to several weeks in the fridge.