We checked out the best cocktail bars and best restaurants in the city to bring you LA's best tequila and mescal cocktails. Whether you prefer your libation smoky or savory or your glass salt-rimmed or muddled with fruit, try these 20 cocktails that say "fiesta!"
RECOMMENDED: Best bars in Los Angeles
Photograph: Jakob N. Layman Smoking Gun ($13) with Vida mezcal, Cynar, Calisaya at Allumette
Photograph: Jakob N. Layman Temporado ($12) with cachaça, Avión Silver tequila, lime juice, fresh cilantro and jalapeño at Sadie Kitchen and Lounge
Photograph: Jakob N. Layman Rio Bravo ($14) with Cazadores Blanco tequila, mezcal, agave syrup, Peychaud Bitters and Angnostura Bitters at Cecconi's
Photograph: Jakob N. Layman Mezcalada ($8) with roasted poblano pepper, Clamato, Del Maguey Vida mezcal, fresh lime, Corona and house-smoked salt at La Cuevita
Photograph: Jakob N. Layman La Cuevita ($11) with Del Maguey La Crema de Mezcal, St. Germain, fresh lime and Fever Tree ginger beer at La Cuevita
Photograph: Jakob N. Layman El Diablo ($14) with Casadores tequila, ginger syrup, crème de cassis, lime and candied ginger at Cecconi's
Photograph: Jakob N. Layman The Outlaw ($10) with Milagro Reposado, jalapeño, honey, fresh grapefruit, lime and cilantro at Oldfield's Liquor Room
Photograph: Jakob N. Layman Sophia ($14) with Del Meguey Vida mezcal, Campari, agave and fresh lime juice at Bar Stella
Photo courtesy the Bungalow Kick in the Junk ($12) with mezcal, housemade chili shrub, ginger syrup, fresh lime and pickled chilies at the Bungalow
Photograph: Claire Thomas Skinny Margarita ($6.95) with Partida Reposado tequila, agave nectar and fresh lime juice at Casa Vega
Photograph: Molly Cranna Spiced Daisy ($13) with Pueblo Viejo tequila, Pierre Ferrand dry orange curaçao, lime juice, agave, juiced cucumber, cilantro and jalapeño at Las Perlas
Photo courtesy Manhattan Beach Post Man in the Yellow Hat ($12) with Del Maguey Vida mezcal, banana, lemon, coconut and cardamom at Manhattan Beach Post
Photograph: Victor Leung Mesa Mule ($14) with Partida tequila, passion fruit purée, ginger beer, fresh jalapeõ at Shorebar
Photo courtesy Rivera Barbacoa ($14) with micro-climate mezcal, chipotle, fresh ginger, fresh lime and beef jerky at Rivera
Photo courtesy Cecconi's Picante en la Casa ($14) with Cazadores tequila, muddled red chillies and cilantro, fresh lime and agave nectar at Cecconi's
Photo courtesy Las Perlas Poblano Escobar ($13) with mezcal, Pierre Ferrand dry orange curaçao, cumin, muddled Poblano chili and fresh pineapple, lime and agave at Las Perlas
Photograph: acuna-hansen Mexican Firing Squad ($14) with tequila, grenadine, fresh lime juice, Angostura bitters and club soda at 1886
Photo courtesy Manhattan Beach Post Rayo Verde ($12) with Tru IXA organic tequila, blackberry, lime and ginger at Manhattan Beach Post
Photo courtesy Ray's and Stark Bar Mike's Tijuana Meds ($12) with tequila, licor 43, freshly squeezed lime juice and egg white at Stark Bar
Photo courtesy Red O Alacran margarita ($14) with tequila, Veev Açai spirit, Torres orange liqueur, fresh limonada and chile serrano-infused syrup at Red O
LA's best tequila and mescal cocktails (Slide show)
Sip a taste of Mexico with LA's best tequila and mescal cocktails that are smoky, sweet, savory and downright stiff.
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