Gun metal blue mezcal margarita recipe with orange, peach and cinnamon

The Gun Metal Blue is a mezcal-forward cocktail that reimagines a Margarita with smoky agave, bright citrus and warm spice. This drink pairs Del Maguey Vida Clásico mezcal with blue curaçao and a whisper of peach liqueur for an unexpected fruity edge. Lime juice keeps the profile fresh while cinnamon syrup and a hint of gentian add depth and an herbal finish. If vous enjoy layered, bar-quality cocktails, this recipe will be a welcome addition to your repertoire.

Which ingredients make a Gun Metal Blue?

The recipe balances smokiness, citrus and sweet modifiers for a complex sip. Core items include mezcal, blue curaçao and fresh lime, while peach liqueur and cinnamon syrup add fruit and warmth. A small amount of gentian liqueur provides a delicate bitter counterpoint that lifts the sweeter elements.

Below is a tidy ingredients table that you can reference while preparing the cocktail. Quantities are given for a single serving and are easy to scale if vous are mixing for a group.

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Del Maguey Vida Clásico Mezcal	45 ml	Smoky agave base
De Kuyper Blue Curaçao	15 ml	Orange-flavored liqueur and color
Fresh lime juice	22.5 ml	Bright acidity
Giffard Crème de Pêche de Vigne	7.5 ml	Light peach sweetness
Cinnamon syrup	10 ml	House-made or store-bought
Gentian liqueur (Suze, Salers, etc.)	2.5 ml	Subtle bitter layer

How should you prepare and mix the Gun Metal Blue?

Select a chilled coupe glass and prepare a small orange twist for garnish before assembling the drink. Begin by adding the measured ingredients into a shaker filled with ice. Vigorous shaking chills and dilutes the mix while integrating the cinnamon syrup and gentian liqueur.

1. Fill a shaker with ice and pour in mezcal, blue curaçao, lime juice, peach liqueur, cinnamon syrup and gentian liqueur.
2. Shake hard for about 10–15 seconds until the shaker feels very cold.
3. Double strain into the pre-chilled coupe to remove fines and ice shards.
4. Express the orange zest over the surface and float the twist as a garnish.

If vous prefer a slightly drier drink, reduce the cinnamon syrup by a few milliliters. Adjustments like that will let the smokiness of the mezcal stand forward without losing balance.

What does the cocktail taste like and how strong is it?

Flavor arrives in distinct layers: smoky mezcal opens the sip, citrus brightens the center, and peach plus cinnamon leave a gently sweet, spiced finish. The gentian liqueur contributes a measured bitterness that prevents the cocktail from becoming cloying and keeps the mid-palate interesting.

Strength sits in the moderate range compared with straight spirits. One serving contains roughly 177 calories and measures about 16.93% alc./vol. That equates to approximately 1.2 standard drinks or about 17.4 grams of pure alcohol per cocktail.

Who created the Gun Metal Blue and how did it evolve?

The drink originated at Porchlight in New York City, conceived in February 2015 by bartenders Mike Shain and Nicholas Bennett. Their original method used a house-made cinnamon syrup infused with gentian root to introduce a bitter note alongside the warming spice.

Later adaptations often substitute pre-made gentian liqueur for the infused syrup, which simplifies the process while keeping the signature bitterness. Bartenders and home mixers frequently tweak the quantities slightly to suit their palate, so feel free to experiment with small adjustments until the balance resonates with vous.