Smokey Hollander

Pro tips

• Shake vigorously for 15 seconds to properly chill and dilute; under-diluted spirit-forward cocktails taste hot and unbalanced.
• Use fresh-squeezed lemon juice only—bottled juice flattens the citrus bite that cuts through the smoke.
• Chill your coupe or cocktail glass in the freezer before serving to maintain temperature.
• Express the lemon twist's oils directly over the drink surface to release citrus aromatics that complement the smoky mezcal.

Substitutions

• Genever → Dry gin (lighter, less grain-sweetness but preserves structure)
• Agave nectar → Simple syrup (more neutral sweetness; reduce to 1/4 oz)

Equipment

cocktail shaker · jigger · channel knife or vegetable peeler (for lemon twist)

Can I substitute genever if I don't have it?

Genever is essential to this cocktail's character; dry gin is the closest substitute but will lose the slightly sweet, grain-forward profile that defines the drink.

What type of mezcal works best?

Use a smooth, lightly smoked mezcal espadin. Heavily peated or oaked mezcals will overpower the genever's subtle flavors.

Should this cocktail be shaken or stirred?

Shake with ice: the fresh lemon juice and agave nectar require thorough mixing and dilution to balance properly.

How do I cut a lemon twist properly?

Use a vegetable peeler or channel knife to cut a thin strip of lemon zest (no white pith). Express oils over the drink by twisting it, then use as garnish.