The Mojave Sister is a smoky, desert-inspired margarita riff that leans into mezcal, citrus, pineapple, agave and botanicals finished with a mist of homemade Palo Santo bitters, it drinks like a spiritual campfire cocktail designed for golden-hour sunsets at Coachella.
Shaken hard and strained over fresh ice, the Mojave Sister combines smoke from mezcal, bright lime juice and silky agave from Top Hat Agave Margarita Batching Concentrate, and tropical pineapple into a tight, bar-quality spec. Pathfinder’s bitter, root-forward character keeps the drink grounded, while a Palo Santo bitters mist adds an aromatic halo without weighing down the palate—ideal for serious mezcal fans and adventurous zero proof drinkers alike.
Method
- Add 1.5 oz mezcal (or zero proof mezcal alternative) to a shaker tin.
- Add 0.25 oz Pathfinder Non-Alcoholic Hemp & Root Spirit.
- Add 1 oz Top Hat Agave Margarita Batching Concentrate.
- Add 1 oz pineapple juice.
- Fill the shaker with ice and shake hard for 8–10 seconds.
- Strain over fresh ice into a double rocks or Old Fashioned glass.
- Garnish with a pineapple wedge or frond, then finish with a light mist of Palo Santo Bitters* over the top.
Pro move: Mist the Palo Santo Bitters above the glass and over the rim, so the first impression is pure desert campfire aroma before the smoke, citrus, and pineapple hit the palate.
How to Make Palo Santo Bitters*
These bitters are designed primarily for aroma—a light mist over the cocktail adds a smoky, resinous desert note without overpowering the drink. Use food-grade Palo Santo sourced from reputable, sustainably harvested suppliers.
Ingredients
- 2–3 small sticks (or ~1 tablespoon chips) of food-grade Palo Santo wood
- Zest of 1 small orange (avoid the white pith)
- 4–6 whole allspice berries (optional)
- 1 small cinnamon stick (optional)
- 4 oz (120 ml) high-proof neutral spirit (e.g., 100–151 proof vodka or grain spirit)
- Small glass jar with lid + fine strainer or coffee filter
- Small spray bottle or bitters dasher for serving
Method
- Lightly break or chop the Palo Santo sticks into smaller pieces to increase surface area. Do not burn or char them for this infusion.
- Add Palo Santo pieces, orange zest, and optional spices to a clean glass jar.
- Pour in the high-proof neutral spirit until the botanicals are fully submerged.
- Seal the jar and store in a cool, dark place for 5–7 days, shaking gently once per day. Taste after day 3; you are aiming for pronounced aroma and a firm but not harsh bitterness.
- When the flavor and aroma are where you want them, strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer and then again through a coffee filter to remove all solids.
- Transfer the finished bitters to a small spray bottle or bitters bottle. Label and store in a cool, dark place.
Usage: For the Mojave Sister, hold the spray bottle 6–8 inches above the glass and mist once or twice over the surface and rim. These bitters are potent—less is more.