Signature Mezcalinas in RTP
A mezcalina is our house term for a mezcal-based cocktail — built the same "simple, bold" way as Chef Katsuji Tanabe's tacos, just smokier. If you know mezcal, you already know why it's worth seeking out over a standard tequila cocktail; if you don't, this is an easy, approachable place to start. Find them at Boxyard RTP in Durham, a short trip from Research Triangle Park, Raleigh, Cary, and Chapel Hill.
What Is Mezcal, Really?
Mezcal is a distilled agave spirit — a broader category that tequila technically falls under, though the two have grown into very different drinks. Tequila is made almost exclusively from blue Weber agave and typically distilled to be clean and bright. Mezcal can be made from dozens of agave varieties, and the traditional production method — roasting the agave hearts in underground pits lined with hot stones and wood — is what gives mezcal its signature smokiness. That smoky, earthy character is the whole reason people seek mezcal out instead of tequila.
What's Traditionally in a Mezcalina?
There's no single fixed recipe for a mezcalina the way there is for a margarita — it's more of a format than a formula. The constant is mezcal as the base spirit; everything else is built around balancing that smokiness, usually with fresh fruit, citrus, or something spicy to give the drink contrast instead of letting the smoke sit on its own. That's exactly the approach we take with our two signature mezcalinas below — fruit-forward on one, fruit-and-heat on the other.
Passion Fruit & Coconut Mezcalina
Tropical and rounded, this mezcalina pairs the smoke of mezcal with passion fruit and coconut, which soften the earthiness of the mezcal without masking it. It's the more approachable of our two mezcalinas — a good entry point if you've never had mezcal before — and it holds up well against a warm afternoon at Boxyard RTP.
Mango Habanero Mezcalina
For guests who want a little heat with their smoke, the Mango Habanero Mezcalina brings sweet mango up against a habanero kick. The heat doesn't overpower the drink — it plays off the mezcal's smokiness the same way a good salsa roja plays off a taco, building rather than competing.
Mezcalina vs. Margarita — What's the Difference?
Both drinks start with agave, but that's about where the similarity ends. A margarita is built on tequila, orange liqueur, and lime — bright, citrus-forward, and familiar. A mezcalina is built on mezcal and leans into smoke rather than away from it, usually balanced with fruit instead of citrus and liqueur.
If you're deciding between the two: reach for a margarita if you want something clean and citrusy that you already know you like. Reach for a mezcalina if you want something with more depth and a little more character — especially if you're the type to order the spicier item on a menu rather than the safe one.
What to Pair a Mezcalina With
Mezcal's smokiness pairs best with food that has some fat or spice of its own to stand up to it, rather than something delicate that would get lost next to it. A few pairings worth trying:
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Chorizo Tacos: Bold, spiced pork is the most natural match for a mezcalina — smoke meets spice, and neither one backs down.
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Suadero: The richness of slow-cooked beef holds its own against mezcal's earthiness, especially with the Passion Fruit & Coconut mezcalina cutting through the fat.
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Pollo Pibil: The citrus and achiote marinade adds brightness that keeps the pairing from feeling too heavy, particularly alongside the Mango Habanero.
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NC Sweet Potato Tacos: If you're going for the Mango Habanero, the natural sweetness in the sweet potato taco mirrors the mango in the glass — a good match for guests who want heat without too much heaviness.​
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If you're ordering a mezcalina for the first time, pair the Passion Fruit & Coconut with something rich like suadero, and save the Mango Habanero for whenever you're already ordering something with a little spice on the plate.