The recipe
- 1 ozEspadín mezcal30 ml
- ½ ozOverproof white rum15 ml
- ½ ozFalernum15 ml
- 1 bar spoonMaraschino liqueur
- ¾ ozLime juice23 ml
- ½ ozSimple syrup15 ml
- A few dropsEgg white (optional)
How to make it
- 1Chill a coupe, or fill a clay mug with ice.
- 2Shake everything hard with ice.
- 3Strain into the coupe or over the ice.
The ratio
2 : 1 : 1 : ¼ : 1½ : 1
In parts, an Illegal is 2 mezcal, 1 rum, 1 falernum, ¼ Maraschino, 1½ lime and 1 syrup. Change one part and you have a cousin; the closest are below.
Built the same way
Head to head
More Sours
- Amaretto Sour — Amaretto and lemon shaken with egg white into a foamy, almond-sweet sour.
- Aviation — Gin and lemon sweetened with maraschino, with a spoonful of crème de violette for its pale sky color and floral edge.
- Bee’s Knees — Gin softened with honey and brightened with lemon and orange. A gentle, rounded sour.
- Between the Sheets — Cognac and white rum with triple sec and lemon: a Sidecar with a second spirit. Strong and orange-scented.
- Brandy Crusta — Brandy, lemon, curaçao and maraschino in a sugar-rimmed glass lined with a long citrus peel. Bright, aromatic and a little showy.
- Brown Derby — Bourbon, grapefruit juice and honey, shaken: a Hollywood whiskey sour, round and gently tart.