Division Bell - Mezcal Cocktail with Aperol and Maraschino

A Modern Mezcal Cocktail

Division Bell is a great example of how mezcal can be used in a fresh and relatively light cocktail.

Mezcal is often associated with strong smoke, earthy tones, and high intensity. In Division Bell, this is balanced against Aperol, Maraschino liqueur, and lime juice.

Aperol lightens the drink and adds fruitiness. Maraschino contributes cherry and almond notes, while the lime juice provides a fresh acidity.

As a result, the cocktail is less heavy and smoke-dominated than many other mezcal cocktails.

Developed by Phil Ward

Division Bell was created by bartender Phil Ward in connection with the opening of Mayahuel in New York in 2009.

Ward was already known for Final Ward, his whiskey variant of The Last Word. At Mayahuel, he continued to work on cocktails based on tequila, mezcal, and other agave products.

Mayahuel became an important bar for the growing interest in mezcal in the USA. At that time, mezcal was far less known internationally than tequila.

Division Bell became one of the drinks that demonstrated that mezcal could work in modern cocktail recipes without being completely dominating.

Named After Pink Floyd

The cocktail is named after the Pink Floyd album The Division Bell from 1994.

Phil Ward has mentioned that he listened to the album while working on the finishing touches of Mayahuel. He described the time spent alone in the venue, where he stained wooden beams while the music played.

The name has no direct connection to the ingredients but is linked to the period when the cocktail and the bar were developed.

This gives the drink a clear cultural backdrop and makes the name easier to remember.

Mezcal as the Base

Mezcal is the main spirit of the cocktail.

Both tequila and mezcal are made from agave, but the production methods differ. Mezcal often gets its characteristic smoky flavor because the agave hearts are roasted in pits before fermentation and distillation.

The flavor varies greatly between producers and agave types.

Some mezcals are very smoky and intense. Others are fruity, herbal, or mineral.

For Division Bell, a mezcal with a clear but not extreme smoke works well. If the mezcal is too intense, it can dominate the Aperol and Maraschino.

A milder espadín mezcal is usually a good starting point.

Aperol Adds Bitter Orange

Aperol is an Italian aperitif with flavors of orange, herbs, and gentle bitterness.

It is less bitter and has a lower alcohol content than Campari. This allows it to be used in a relatively large quantity without making the drink too bitter.

In Division Bell, Aperol serves several functions:

• It adds bitter orange.
• It provides sweetness.
• It contributes a reddish-orange color.
• It makes the mezcal lighter and more approachable.

Campari cannot directly replace Aperol without adjusting the recipe. Campari is stronger, more bitter, and less fruity.

Maraschino Ties the Flavors Together

Maraschino liqueur is a clear liqueur made from cherries.

The flavor is drier than many expect. It has notes of cherry, stone fruit, almond, and flowers.

In Division Bell, less Maraschino is used than Aperol and mezcal. The liqueur primarily acts as a link between smoke, orange, and lime.

The almond notes pair well with roasted agave, while the cherry adds a fruity layer behind the Aperol.

Too much Maraschino can lead to a dominating flavor of almond and cherry. Therefore, it is important to measure accurately.

Lime Juice Keeps the Drink Fresh

Fresh lime juice is essential to balance the sweetness from Aperol and Maraschino.

Lime has a sharp and distinct acidity that pairs well with agave spirits. It makes the cocktail fresher and reduces the perception of smoke and alcohol.

Pre-packaged lime juice should be avoided. It often lacks fresh aroma and can have a harsh or artificial acidity.

The acidity varies between lime fruits. If the cocktail becomes too sharp, the lime juice can be reduced slightly. If it becomes too sweet, the amount can be increased by a few milliliters.

Why the Recipe Doesn’t Use Equal Parts

Division Bell is sometimes compared to The Last Word because it contains Maraschino, citrus, and a distinct main spirit.

However, it does not use four equal parts.

Mezcal and Aperol require larger amounts to create the foundational structure. Maraschino is used more cautiously because its flavor can quickly become dominant.

The ratio of ingredients makes the cocktail initially perceived as smoky and citrusy. Then, bitter orange and cherry come through in the finish.

This makes the recipe more controlled than an equal-parts cocktail.

Why the Drink Should Be Shaken

Division Bell contains fresh lime juice and should therefore be shaken.

Shaking mixes the citrus with the alcoholic ingredients, chills the drink, and adds necessary water.

Dilution is especially important because mezcal and Maraschino have intense flavors.

Use plenty of ice and shake until the shaker is very cold.

Double strain into a chilled cocktail glass. This removes small ice chips and any pulp from the lime juice.

Grapefruit Zest as Garnish

Division Bell is usually garnished with grapefruit zest.

The oils from the grapefruit add a fresh and bitter citrus aroma. This pairs especially well with Aperol.

Press the oils over the surface before placing the zest in the glass or along the rim.

Orange zest can be used, but it gives a sweeter and less bitter expression.

A large garnish is not necessary. The cocktail's reddish-orange color already provides a distinct visual appeal.

The Balance Between Smoke and Bitterness

The most challenging aspect of Division Bell is balancing the mezcal with Aperol.

A very smoky mezcal can overshadow all the other ingredients. Conversely, a very mild mezcal can get lost behind the Aperol and Maraschino.

Taste the mezcal before making the drink.

If it is very strong, the amount can be reduced slightly or combined with tequila.

If it is mild, the mezcal amount can be increased by a few milliliters.

The cocktail should have a clear smoke presence, but the smokiness should not be the only flavor.

An Accessible Introduction to Mezcal

Division Bell can work well for those who do not have much experience with mezcal.

Aperol and Maraschino make the drink fruitier and rounder, while the lime juice keeps it fresh.

The mezcal is still prominent, but it is used in a context that may feel more approachable than drinking it neat.

The cocktail is particularly suitable for those who enjoy Aperol, margarita-like drinks, or cocktails with both sweetness and bitterness.

Division Bell shows that mezcal can be combined with more than just tequila, agave syrup, and chili. Bitter orange and cherry provide an unusual yet balanced contrast to the smoky base.