Smoke on the Water, Fire in the sky...

I got a really great bottle of Yola Mezcal for my birthday, and while I love a good mezcal margarita I really wanted some thing different. A great way to to create a new cocktail is to make a riff from an existing recipe. By switching out the base liquor in a favorite cocktail you can create a whole new and delicious combo.

One of my favorite cocktails is the aviation, and I couldn't help wondering what it would. be like if I switched out the gin for some smoky mezcal. It was a bit of a gamble, but it turns out creme de violet and mezcal are an excellent combination. I added a bit of cherry syrup just to add a little more cherry flavor and bump up the color. And how could I resist calling this smoky Aviation riff Fire in the Sky.

Fire In the Sky
2 oz. Yola Mezcal
1/5 oz. Luxardo Maraschino liqueur
1/4 oz. Creme de Violette
3/4 oz. lemon juice
Scant bar spoon Luxardo Maraschino cherry syrup
Garnish with luxardo maraschino cherry

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake until chilled. Strain in a coupe glass and garnish with a cherry.

Cheers!