Mother's Day Gift Guide 2024: The Best Mezcal
This Mother's Day there are plenty of options for the mezcal loving mom.
gettyMezcal is one of the fastest-growing spirit categories and more than a few moms I know are “mezcal moms.” The best mezcals for Mother’s Day were chosen for their ability to appeal to mezcal connoisseurs as well as moms who are new to the world of mezcal — perhaps drawn by one of the increasingly popular mezcal cocktails available. From low-smoke to smoke bombs and mezcals bursting with vegetal freshness, there’s something on this list for every mezcal-drinking mom out there.
Desolas, $42.99Founded in 2020 by GG Mirvis, a Miami spirits entrepreneur and sometimes DJ, Desolas swaps out the smokiness normally associated with mezcal and replaces it with an agave-forward garden’s worth of herbal flavors. Its low-smoke profile makes it one of the best mezcal’s for Mother’s Day moms who are just dipping their toes into the mezcal world, and even for some moms who dislike mezcal in general. But don’t be fooled, though approachable, this is a complex spirit made with Salmiana agave from San Luis Potosi, Mexico, that has earned many industry accolades and been the standout star in all my recent blind mezcal taste tests. It’s not only become one of my favorite mezcals but one of my favorite spirits overall. Find out where to purchase Desolas here.
Banhez Mezcal Artesanal Joven, $39.99Owned and operated by the U.P.A.D.E.C Co-operative in Ejutla, Oaxaca, which consists of family farmers, Banhez Mezcal Artesanal is a great Mother’s Day mezcal for a mom who is intrigued by mezcal and looking to explore the spirit category further. It’s a complex mix of fruit and floral notes with a clear but not overpowering smokiness. The spirit is fermented in open-air wooden vats via wild yeast. Find out where to purchase Banhez Mezcal here.
Bosscal Mezcal Joven, $55.99This approachable 100 organic and naturally fermented mezcal, is a wonderful starter mezcal for moms (and anyone, of course). It’s got citrus-forward flavors against a smoke backbone that lets you know you are drinking mezcal but doesn’t hit you over the head with that fact. As such, it’s a fun substitution for many cocktails that ordinarily call for tequila as it can add some smokey character without fundamentally changing the drink. Find out where you can purchase Bosscal Mezcal Joven here.
Granja Nómada Tepeztate MezcalThis intriguing mezcal bursts with fresh sweet and earthy aroma and smokiness that grows stronger as you sit with each sip. Granja Nómada is built on the concept of nomadic farming (that inspires the brand’s name as well) and the company works with different farmers to help produce a more sustainable mezcal. All mezcals are made with traditional methods including open air wild fermentation. You can find out where to purchase Granja Nómada Tepeztate Mezcal here.
Mezcal Amaras Cenizo, $89.99 USDMade with 14-year-old Durangensis agave from Durango and naturally fermented in open-air vats, this is a mezcal for the mom who is serious about their mezcal drinking. Intense with smoky and citrus notes, it is worth spending a little more on. You can learn more about purchasing Mezcal Amaras Cenizo here.
Dos Hombres Espadin, $51.99This mezcal from Breaking Bad’s Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston is perfect for moms who are fans of peak prestige TV. Consumers these days are rightly skeptical of celebrity brands but the first taste of this mezcal eliminates that skepticism. Smoky with some of the fresh green flavors that are found in all the best mezcals, this is a serious product and not some celebrity vanity act. You can purchase Dos Hombres Espadin here.
Illegal Mezcal Joven, $45.99A great mezcal for mixologist moms who like to incorporate mezcal into cocktails, Illega Mezcal Joven has a clean, smoke-forward flavor, that is thankfully legal. This makes it ideal for adding signature mezcal smoke flavors to cocktails such as The Naked & Famous, Oaxacan Old Fashioned, or just a smokey margarita. You can purchase Illegal Mezcal Joven here.
