Summer cocktail season tends to follow a familiar script. Somebody shows up with a cooler, somebody else brings chips nobody asked for, and eventually a margarita makes an appearance.

But every now and then a cocktail arrives that feels like it took a slight detour from the beach and wandered through a backyard barbecue on the way.

Enter the Honey & Ash.

Recently featured at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel, this smoky, sweet and slightly spicy tequila cocktail combines Tequila Corralejo Reposado with a touch of mezcal, honey liqueur, pineapple juice, fresh lemon and a couple dashes of habanero bitters. The result is a drink that somehow manages to be refreshing while also tasting like it spent a little time hanging out near a campfire.

It’s the kind of cocktail that seems tailor-made for summer gatherings. Whether you’re watching soccer, baseball, backyard cornhole championships or simply arguing about whose turn it is to refill the ice bucket, this one brings plenty of flavor to the party.

What makes the drink interesting is the balancing act. The pineapple and honey provide a tropical sweetness, the lemon keeps everything bright, the mezcal adds a gentle smokiness, and the habanero bitters show up just long enough to remind everyone they’re still paying attention.

In other words, it’s not your standard poolside sipper.

And while smoky cocktails can sometimes feel more appropriate for cooler weather, the pineapple and citrus keep this one firmly planted in summer territory. Think grilled fruit, sunset patios and that magical hour when the temperature finally drops a few degrees and nobody wants to go inside yet.

If you’re looking to mix something a little different this season, here’s how to make it.

Honey & Ash

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz Tequila Corralejo Reposado
• 0.5 oz mezcal
• 0.75 oz honey liqueur
• 0.75 oz pineapple juice
• 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice
• 2 dashes habanero bitters

Method

Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice and shake vigorously for about 10 to 12 seconds. Double strain over a large ice cube in a rocks glass.

For garnish, add a dehydrated pineapple wedge dusted with Tajín if you’re feeling ambitious. If not, a fresh pineapple slice works just fine and nobody at your backyard gathering will file a complaint.

The Honey & Ash may have been created with summer sports fans in mind, but honestly, you don’t need a game on television to enjoy it. Sometimes a good cocktail is reason enough to gather a few friends, find a shady spot and raise a glass to surviving another hot summer day.