Illegal
The Illegal is an IBA New Era Drink: 7 ingredients, shaken and served in a rocks glass. That makes 131 ml in the glass: a middling measure.
MethodShaken
GlassRocks glass
In the glass131 ml
Strength20.0%
Ingredients
- 30 mlmezcal
- 15 mloverproof white rum
- 15 mlfalernum
- 5 mlmaraschino
- 22.5 mlfresh lime juice
- 15 mlsimple syrup
- 0.4 mlegg white
Method
- Pour all ingredients into the shaker. Shake vigorously with ice.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass, or “on the rocks” in a traditional clay or terracotta mug.
What it tastes like
- bitter → sweet
- Sweetness shows without covering: it comes from simple syrup, with 0.5 out of 10 of bitterness holding it back.
- round → sour
- Acidity leaves it halfway: 67th of 186, and the acid comes from fresh lime juice.
- light → strong
- 20.0% after dilution: the middle band, 47th of 186.
Among the five around it on the map it is the only one built on tequila.
Five that come close
- CaipiroskaBuilt on vodka and with vodka in place of mezcal.
- Mai-TaiBuilt on rum and with gold rum in place of mezcal.
- BrambleBuilt on gin and with gin in place of mezcal.
- Clover ClubMore bitter and built on gin.
- DaiquiriBuilt on rum and with white rum in place of mezcal.
Every drink near the Illegal on the map
Recipe source: IBA · checked on 30 October 2026