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The Lluvia Purpura at Las Almas Rotas
Las Almas Rotas/Facebook

10 Perfectly Smoky Mezcal Cocktails to Sip in Dallas

The agave-based spirit shines at these Dallas bars

by Allison Castloo
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The Lluvia Purpura at Las Almas Rotas
| Las Almas Rotas/Facebook
by Allison Castloo

For years, tequila dominated as the most prominent agave-based spirit on cocktail menus across Dallas. That’s still probably true, but mezcal, its smokier, more complex sibling spirit has been on the rise in the city’s cocktail scene over the past few years.

Before getting overwhelmed with all the choices out there — or, worse, trying a poorly made brand that doesn’t showcase the true beauty of the spirit — start at one of these 10 Dallas bars. Along with boasting the city’s best mezcal cocktails, each establishment employs some seriously knowledgeable bartenders that can bring even the most novice drinkers up to speed on the wonderful world of mezcal.

Is your favorite mezcal cocktail missing from this map? Let us know in the comments.

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Paschall Bar

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The expertly-fashioned cocktails at this second-story speakeasy is well worth a trip up north. The cocktail to sip while you soak in the view of the charming downtown Denton square? The spicy-sweet Piers Plowman—a gin/mezcal blend with fresh pineapple juice, muddled cherry tomatoes and habanero tincture.

4173, 122 N Locust St, Denton, TX 76201
(940) 301-3535
(940) 301-3535

Jalisco Norte

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While enjoying smothered tamales from this Turtle Creek location, be sure and reach for a drink menu. For those that are looking for some serious flavor, order the Holy Smoke. With Xicaru Reposado Private Barrel Mezcal, dry curaçao, triple citrus, agave, liquid smoke and hickory smoked sea salt rim, it’s definitely not shy.

3858 Oak Lawn Ave #470, Dallas, TX 75219
(214) 443-5183
(214) 443-5183
Coeval Studio/Courtesy Jalisco Norte

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La Viuda Negra

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Positioned next door to East Dallas taco favorite El Come, this mezcal-focused bar offers plenty of options for sipping or mixing. And thankfully, the service at the sister bar is just as warm and inviting, so mezcal newbies can get a ton of solid recommendations on the perfect smoky sip.

2513 N Fitzhugh Ave, Dallas, TX 75204

Asador

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Sure, a farm-to-table restaurant may not be an obvious location for a smooth mezcal cocktail, but we digress. Asador has taken a flavor note from a classic margarita flavor pairing with its buzzy Amor Prohibito, a watermelon/jalapeno tequila blanco-based cocktail, finished off with mezcal and Aperol.

2222 N Stemmons Fwy, Dallas, TX 75207
(214) 267-4815
(214) 267-4815

Bowen House

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This Victorian house-turned-bar has been holding it down as one of Uptown’s best happy hour options since it opened. There’s a handful of solid drink options, but those looking for a smokier concoction will love the Passion & Pepper, made with Sombra Mezcal Joven, Giffard Passion Fruit Liqueur and finished off with a bit of black pepper. 

2614 Boll St #1002, Dallas, TX 75204
(214) 484-1385
(214) 484-1385
Bowen House/Google

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Las Palmas Tex-Mex

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Everyone may be talking about Las Palmas’ quiet brunch menu, but it’s the gorgeous drink selection truly sets them apart from Dallas’ countless Tex Mex spots. For those looking for a little more spice than smoke, try the Future Classic— this concoction of mezcal, Ancho Reyes verde, yellow Chartreuse and charred jalapeno provides just the right amount of heat.

2708 Routh St, Dallas, TX 75201
(972) 863-7900
(972) 863-7900

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Meso Maya Comida Y Copas

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This Mayan-meets-Mexican spot is known for its bold, earthy cuisine. But there’s a particular cocktail that should be a requirement for washing it all down. Save your beer order for another night and opt for the Oaxaca, a slightly sweet Sombra Mezcal Joven balanced out with Cointreau, simple syrup and fresh lime juice. 

1611 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX 75202
(214) 484-6555
(214) 484-6555

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Tortaco

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This downtown location is known for its casual happy hour vibe. And if you find yourself there sharing a handful of appetizers (or the jalapeno macaroni and cheese if you’re really doing it right), be sure and order a Sidecar. The flavor trio of mezcal, fresh lemon juice and triple sec is simple and spot on. 

2100 Ross Ave #100, Dallas, TX 75201
(469) 998-4342
(469) 998-4342

Las Almas Rotas

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What better place to acquaint yourself with this agave-based spirit than a mezcaleria? This hip location boasts a pretty well-rounded tequila menu, but it’s the Lluvia Púrpura that truly stands out. Its smoky-yet-sweet flavor profile includes blueberry, butterfly pea maraschino, green chartreuse, anise and aquafaba—something you need to try at least once.

3615 Parry Ave, Dallas, TX 75226
(972) 685-5666
(972) 685-5666
Las Almas Rotas/Facebook

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Botanist

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This buzzy new addition to Bishop Arts has kept their drink menu pretty under wraps. 

Thankfully there are a handful of cocktails that are already developing quite the reputation around town. One of our favorites? The elusive Mitchell, a hazy yet bright blend of mezcal, cynar and lemon.

308 N Bishop Ave Building 2, Dallas, TX 75208

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Paschall Bar

4173, 122 N Locust St, Denton, TX 76201

The expertly-fashioned cocktails at this second-story speakeasy is well worth a trip up north. The cocktail to sip while you soak in the view of the charming downtown Denton square? The spicy-sweet Piers Plowman—a gin/mezcal blend with fresh pineapple juice, muddled cherry tomatoes and habanero tincture.

4173, 122 N Locust St, Denton, TX 76201
(940) 301-3535
(940) 301-3535

Jalisco Norte

3858 Oak Lawn Ave #470, Dallas, TX 75219

While enjoying smothered tamales from this Turtle Creek location, be sure and reach for a drink menu. For those that are looking for some serious flavor, order the Holy Smoke. With Xicaru Reposado Private Barrel Mezcal, dry curaçao, triple citrus, agave, liquid smoke and hickory smoked sea salt rim, it’s definitely not shy.

3858 Oak Lawn Ave #470, Dallas, TX 75219
(214) 443-5183
(214) 443-5183
Coeval Studio/Courtesy Jalisco Norte

La Viuda Negra

2513 N Fitzhugh Ave, Dallas, TX 75204

Positioned next door to East Dallas taco favorite El Come, this mezcal-focused bar offers plenty of options for sipping or mixing. And thankfully, the service at the sister bar is just as warm and inviting, so mezcal newbies can get a ton of solid recommendations on the perfect smoky sip.

2513 N Fitzhugh Ave, Dallas, TX 75204

Asador

2222 N Stemmons Fwy, Dallas, TX 75207

Sure, a farm-to-table restaurant may not be an obvious location for a smooth mezcal cocktail, but we digress. Asador has taken a flavor note from a classic margarita flavor pairing with its buzzy Amor Prohibito, a watermelon/jalapeno tequila blanco-based cocktail, finished off with mezcal and Aperol.

2222 N Stemmons Fwy, Dallas, TX 75207
(214) 267-4815
(214) 267-4815

Bowen House

2614 Boll St #1002, Dallas, TX 75204

This Victorian house-turned-bar has been holding it down as one of Uptown’s best happy hour options since it opened. There’s a handful of solid drink options, but those looking for a smokier concoction will love the Passion & Pepper, made with Sombra Mezcal Joven, Giffard Passion Fruit Liqueur and finished off with a bit of black pepper. 

2614 Boll St #1002, Dallas, TX 75204
(214) 484-1385
(214) 484-1385
Bowen House/Google

Las Palmas Tex-Mex

2708 Routh St, Dallas, TX 75201

Everyone may be talking about Las Palmas’ quiet brunch menu, but it’s the gorgeous drink selection truly sets them apart from Dallas’ countless Tex Mex spots. For those looking for a little more spice than smoke, try the Future Classic— this concoction of mezcal, Ancho Reyes verde, yellow Chartreuse and charred jalapeno provides just the right amount of heat.

2708 Routh St, Dallas, TX 75201
(972) 863-7900
(972) 863-7900

Meso Maya Comida Y Copas

1611 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX 75202

This Mayan-meets-Mexican spot is known for its bold, earthy cuisine. But there’s a particular cocktail that should be a requirement for washing it all down. Save your beer order for another night and opt for the Oaxaca, a slightly sweet Sombra Mezcal Joven balanced out with Cointreau, simple syrup and fresh lime juice. 

1611 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX 75202
(214) 484-6555
(214) 484-6555

Tortaco

2100 Ross Ave #100, Dallas, TX 75201

This downtown location is known for its casual happy hour vibe. And if you find yourself there sharing a handful of appetizers (or the jalapeno macaroni and cheese if you’re really doing it right), be sure and order a Sidecar. The flavor trio of mezcal, fresh lemon juice and triple sec is simple and spot on. 

2100 Ross Ave #100, Dallas, TX 75201
(469) 998-4342
(469) 998-4342

Las Almas Rotas

3615 Parry Ave, Dallas, TX 75226

What better place to acquaint yourself with this agave-based spirit than a mezcaleria? This hip location boasts a pretty well-rounded tequila menu, but it’s the Lluvia Púrpura that truly stands out. Its smoky-yet-sweet flavor profile includes blueberry, butterfly pea maraschino, green chartreuse, anise and aquafaba—something you need to try at least once.

3615 Parry Ave, Dallas, TX 75226
(972) 685-5666
(972) 685-5666
Las Almas Rotas/Facebook

Botanist

308 N Bishop Ave Building 2, Dallas, TX 75208

This buzzy new addition to Bishop Arts has kept their drink menu pretty under wraps. 

Thankfully there are a handful of cocktails that are already developing quite the reputation around town. One of our favorites? The elusive Mitchell, a hazy yet bright blend of mezcal, cynar and lemon.

308 N Bishop Ave Building 2, Dallas, TX 75208

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