There’s no wrong way to enjoy mezcal.
But if you want to understand it, like really understand it, you’ve got to sip IBÁ Mezcal neat.
No mixers. No ice. No distractions.
Just you, your senses, and the most complex, layered, and smoothest mezcal on Earth.
Unfiltered. Intentional. Straight from the heart of Oaxaca.
Why neat?
Because neat is where the soul is.
While IBÁ always makes for unbelievable cocktails, it was designed, firstly, to be sipped by itself. Slowly. Thoughtfully. With a bit of reverence and a whole lot of pleasure.
Each expression is handcrafted in Santiago Matatlán and double-distilled for balance and depth.
When you drink it neat, you taste everything: the agave, the earth, the altitude, the smoke, the history.
You don’t sip IBÁ because you’re in a rush.
You sip IBÁ because you’re in the moment.
What You’ll Need
- IBÁ Mezcal (non-negotiable)
- A copita or veladora glass (or a shot glass if you must, but promise you’ll sip, not shoot)
- An orange slice (fresh, juicy, and just a little chilled, because lime can overpower mezcal’s complexity. Orange offers brightness without stealing the spotlight. It complements, never competes.)
- Worm salt (sal de gusano) or a spicy salt like Tajín
Optional:
- A quiet place. A loud playlist. A moment worth slowing down for.
How to Sip
- Let it breathe.
Give it a minute in the glass. The aromas need a second to stretch and show off. - Smell with intention.
This isn’t wine. Don’t shove your nose in. Inhale gently from just above the rim with your mouth slightly open… it softens the intensity and lets the subtleties come through. You’ll catch notes of roasted agave, earth, spice, smoke, maybe even the sky itself. (Trust us.) - Whet your palate.
Your first sip shouldn’t be a sip at all… just enough to gently coat your mouth. Wake up your taste buds. Let them tune in to the complexity, layering, and smoothness that follow. - Now sip. Slowly. Enjoy.
Let it roll across your tongue. Let it linger. Let it evolve. No ice, no mixers, just a perfect balance of character and clarity. - Repeat. Thoughtfully. Or joyfully. Or both.
Not a neat drinker?
If drinking neat isn’t your thing, no problem, because we’ve got lots of incredible IBÁ cocktails that will change the way you celebrate.
However it is that you raise your glass, always make sure it’s worth raising, or better yet, sip IBÁ Mezcal neat and raise it with intention.
Curious? Questions?
Give us a shout at cheers@ibamezcal.com
(We promise you’ll get an immediate response!)
Want to know why ordering by name is so important? Take a look.
Interested in learning more? Check out the history of mezcal.
