Smoky Lemon Margarita

Ingredients

1 cup sugar
Peeled zest of 4 lemons, plus 1 1/2 cups fresh juice
12 ounces mezcal, chilled
6 ounces orange liqueur, such as Cointreau, chilled
Orange rounds, coarse sea salt or margarita salt, and frozen lemon wedges (or ice) for serving

Directions

1. Syrup: In a saucepan, combine sugar, lemon zest, and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat; let cool completely. Strain, discarding zest; stir in lemon juice. Cover and refrigerate in an airtight container until cold, at least 1 hour and up to 2 weeks. Makes 2 cups.
2. Margarita: In a pitcher, stir together syrup, mezcal, and liqueur. Cover and refrigerate up to 1 day, if desired. Run an orange round along the rim of each serving glass; dip each rim in salt. Add orange rounds and frozen lemon wedges to pitcher. Pour drinks into prepared glasses; serve with more orange rounds and frozen lemon wedges.

Variations

For a version without smokiness, use silver tequila in place of mezcal.