Bow & Arrow
Smoky mezcal and rounded bourbon meet pineapple and lime in this modern split-base classic.
Ingredients
- Bourbon30 ml
- Mezcal, with a clear smoky character30 ml
- Lime juice, freshly squeezed22.5 ml
- Pineapple juice, freshly squeezed22.5 ml
- Simple syrup (1 part Sugar, 1 part Water)15 ml
- Pineapple, for garnish (optional)1 wedge
Method
- Add the bourbon, mezcal, lime juice, pineapple juice and syrup to a shaker.
- Fill the shaker with ice and shake hard for 8–10 seconds, until well chilled.
- Double strain the drink into a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass.
- Garnish with a pineapple wedge if you like.
Scott Teague, Dutch Kills, New York (2015)
About this drink
Bow & Arrow was created by Scott Teague at the legendary New York bar Dutch Kills in 2015. It is one of the early and best-known examples of a split-base cocktail, where two spirit styles — here bourbon and mezcal — work together rather than compete. It quickly became a classic thanks to its elegant balance of smoke, sweetness and acidity.
Questions and answers
Why combine bourbon and mezcal in one drink?
The bourbon’s sweetness and mezcal’s smoke meet in the middle, creating a depth neither can provide alone. Pineapple juice binds the two spirits with acidity and fruit.
Can you leave out the mezcal and use only bourbon?
You can, but then you lose the smoky edge that makes Bow & Arrow distinctive. If you want to soften the smoke without losing it altogether, choose a milder mezcal rather than leaving it out.
