This World Margarita Day (Sunday 22 February), Edinburgh cocktail institution Panda & Sons hosts a one-night takeover from acclaimed London bar Dram, with bartender favourite Zacal Mezcal at the centre of the celebration.
Recently named Best Mezcal of 2025, Zacal Mezcal sits at the heart of the one-night-only cocktail menu, created by Dram’s Chris Tanner, who joins Panda & Sons’ Nicky Craig behind the bar for the evening. Following a successful first collaboration in London, the Edinburgh event sees the partnership continue north of the border.
The night is also an opportunity to be one of the first to try The Zacalita – Zacal’s less-ordinary expression of the Margarita, reimagined as a bar-quality, ready-to-drink canned cocktail, launching later this year. Swapping tequila for mezcal adds depth and character to the classic Margarita, along with light carbonation, brings subtle smokiness and layered complexity.
It’s this focus on terroir and craft that has helped mezcal gain traction with whisky drinkers, who often appreciate its structure, provenance and variation in style.
Alongside the bar takeover, guests can enjoy mezcal tastings in Panda & Sons’ tasting room, led by Zacal co-founder Phil Clayton. The sessions explore Zacal’s production methods with its unique triple distillation, regional diversity hailing from Michoacan and how mezcal differs from tequila. a deeper understanding of one of the world’s most expressive spirits.
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Event details
What: “World Zacalita Day” with Zacal Mezcal, Panda & Sons and Dram featuring a special, one-off cocktail menu and mezcal tastings to celebrate World Margarita Day
When: 7pm–11pm, Sunday 22 February
Where: Panda & Sons, 79 Queen Street, Edinburgh EH2 4NF
Booking: Entry free; booking recommended
