A summer Don Catrin cocktail built around fruit, citrus, cold glass, and the savory ritual of worm salt.
Story
The classic spritz is built for golden hour. This Oaxacan version keeps the bitter-orange brightness but gives it a smoky base with mezcal.
A worm salt rim makes sense because bitter aperitivo loves salt. It sharpens the orange notes, softens the sweetness, and gives the drink a savory finish.
It is simple, elegant, and very summer: low effort, high reward, best served when the light starts to soften.
Yield: 1 cocktail | Time: 6 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 oz mezcal
- 1 1/2 oz Aperol or bitter-orange aperitivo
- 2 oz dry sparkling wine
- 1 oz sparkling water
- Orange wedge, for rim and garnish
- Worm salt, for a partial rim
- Ice
Method
- Rub half the rim of a wine glass with an orange wedge and dip into worm salt.
- Fill the glass with ice.
- Add mezcal and aperitivo.
- Top with sparkling wine and sparkling water, then stir once.
To Serve
Garnish with an orange slice.
Notes & Variations
- Use grapefruit soda instead of sparkling water for a fruitier spritz.
- Use less aperitivo if you prefer a drier drink.
Ritual
Start from the salted half of the rim. The bitter orange and mezcal will feel sharper, cleaner, and more complete.
Explore More
See the full cocktail collection in our Worm Salt Recipes guide, or start at the main Recipes hub.
New to the ritual? Read What is Worm Salt?.
Ready to stock your bar? Explore Don Catrin Sal de Gusano.
Related Summer Cocktails
Please enjoy responsibly.