Illegal cocktail on a dark studio backgroundPublished recipe

Shaken · one serving

Illegal

A smoky mezcal sour strengthened with overproof rum and layered with falernum and maraschino.

Short answer

Illegal is a shaken cocktail made with mezcal, overproof rum, falernum, maraschino liqueur, lime juice, and simple syrup. A smoky mezcal sour strengthened with overproof rum and layered with falernum and maraschino. Follow the one-serving recipe below for exact quantities, optional garnishes and steps; preparation takes about 5 minutes.
Time5 min
MethodShaken
GlassCocktail
LevelAdvanced
By Kokto EditorialCatalog reviewed Kokto published catalog snapshotHow we review recipes

1 serving

Illegal ingredients

Use the original amounts for one serving. Compare cl, US fluid ounces and parts to use the measure you have at home.

Illegal ingredients in original amounts, cl, oz and parts
IngredientAmountclozparts
Mezcal30 ml3 cl1 oz2 parts
Overproof Rum15 ml1.5 cl0.5 oz1 part
Falernum15 ml1.5 cl0.5 oz1 part
Maraschino Liqueur1 teaspoon
Lime Juice22.5 ml2.3 cl0.8 oz1.5 parts
Simple Syrup15 ml1.5 cl0.5 oz1 part
Egg White (optional)5 ml0.5 cl0.2 oz0.3 parts

Garnish: No garnish

Method

How to make Illegal

Follow the 6 reviewed catalog steps in order.

  1. 01

    Chill a cocktail glass and measure the overproof rum carefully; use a small clay mug with ice only if choosing the rocks presentation.

  2. 02

    Add the mezcal, overproof rum, falernum, maraschino, lime juice, simple syrup, and optional egg white to a shaker.

  3. 03

    If using egg white, shake without ice for 10 seconds to begin forming a fine foam.

  4. 04

    Fill with ice and shake vigorously for 10–12 seconds until thoroughly chilled.

  5. 05

    Fine-strain into the chilled cocktail glass, or strain over fresh ice in the prepared clay mug.

  6. 06

    Leave the drink ungarnished and serve immediately while the smoky aroma is concentrated.

Tasting profile

What does Illegal taste like?

The strongest signals in Kokto’s five-axis profile are strength (5/5) and sourness (4/5).

Kokto editorial profile for this exact house build. Scores are directional, not laboratory measurements or universal values.

Sweetness3 / 5
Sourness4 / 5
Bitterness1 / 5
Strength5 / 5
Freshness4 / 5

Quick answers

Illegal questions

What is in a Illegal?

Kokto’s build uses mezcal, overproof rum, falernum, maraschino liqueur, lime juice, and simple syrup, with optional items shown separately in the table.

How long does a Illegal take to make?

The governed recipe allows about 5 minutes for one serving. Equipment, ice and ingredient preparation can change the real time.

How is a Illegal prepared?

It uses a shaken method and is served in a cocktail. Follow the reviewed steps above instead of relying on the method label alone.

Is a Illegal alcohol-free?

No. This Kokto recipe contains alcoholic ingredients and is intended only for adults of legal drinking age.

Continue exploring

These reviewed recipes are the closest matches in Kokto’s current catalog set, ranked by shared core ingredients.

Evidence

Sources & editorial note

The ingredients and steps above are Kokto's recipe specification. An external classic reference may use different amounts or techniques; follow one complete specification when mixing.

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