Smoke & Mirrors

What happens when you put mezcal and cognac in the same glass? Honestly, I wasn't sure until I tried it. These two spirits occupy completely different worlds, one all smoke and agave, the other refined grape elegance. But here's the thing: sometimes the most unlikely pairings create something unexpectedly brilliant. Smoke & Mirrors is my attempt at building a bridge between them. The Bénédictine does the heavy lifting here, its herbal honey sweetness finding common ground between the smoky mezcal and fruity cognac. Maraschino adds a subtle cherry-almond undertone, while those mole bitters bring cacao and spice that somehow make the whole thing make sense. The result should be spirit-forward but balanced, smoky yet surprisingly refined. Should be, because fair warning: this is pure experimentation. This one's for the adventurous drinker who gets excited about "what if" instead of sticking to the classics. Mix one up when you're feeling curious and report back. I genuinely want to know if this works as well in your glass as it did in mine.