# Illegal

> Illegal, the IBA official recipe: 30 ml mezcal, 15 ml Jamaican overproof white rum, 15 ml falernum, 1 bar spoon maraschino liqueur, 22.5 ml lime juice and 15 ml simple syrup. Shaken and served up in a chilled cocktail glass.

Mezcal and overproof rum with falernum, maraschino and lime. Smoky, tropical and sour.

- IBA category: [IBA: New Era Drinks](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/new-era/index.md)
- Main spirit: [Tequila & mezcal cocktails](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/tequila-mezcal-cocktails/index.md)
- Method: Shaken (shaken hard with ice)
- Glass: Cocktail glass
- Served: Straight up, no ice
- Strength: about 15.4% ABV once diluted by ice, about 1.4 standard drinks (14 g of alcohol each)
- Volume: 108 ml (3⅝ oz) before ice, about 164 ml in the glass
- Taste: Sour, Sweet, Smoky, Tropical

## Ingredients

Amounts are for one drink. Ounces use 30 ml to the ounce.

- 30 ml (1 oz) [Mezcal](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/ingredients/mezcal/index.md)
- 15 ml (½ oz) [Jamaican overproof white rum](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/ingredients/overproof-rum/)
- 15 ml (½ oz) [Falernum](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/ingredients/falernum/index.md)
- 1 bar spoon [Maraschino liqueur](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/ingredients/maraschino/index.md)
- 22.5 ml (¾ oz) [Lime juice](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/ingredients/lime/index.md)
- 15 ml (½ oz) [Simple syrup](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/ingredients/simple-syrup/index.md)
- Few drops [Egg white](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/ingredients/egg/index.md) (optional)

## Method

1. Pour all ingredients into the shaker.
2. Shake vigorously with ice.
3. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass, or “on the rocks” in a traditional clay or terracotta mug.

## Garnish

None. IBA serves it without a garnish.

## If you like the Illegal

- [Naked and Famous](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/cocktails/naked-and-famous/index.md): Mezcal, Yellow Chartreuse, Aperol and lime juice
- [Daiquiri](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/cocktails/daiquiri/index.md): White rum, lime juice and simple syrup
- [Hemingway Special](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/cocktails/hemingway-special/index.md): White rum, grapefruit juice, maraschino liqueur and lime juice
- [Last Word](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/cocktails/last-word/index.md): Gin, Green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur and lime juice

## Source

- Recipe as specified by the International Bartenders Association: https://iba-world.com/iba-cocktail/illegal/
- IBA video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2miULIOS3Y
- Strength is an estimate that allows for dilution from ice; brands vary.

---

- Canonical page: https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/cocktails/illegal/
- Language: en
- Recipe data: International Bartenders Association specifications on iba-world.com, checked 22 October 2026
- Maintained by Jigger, an independent index not affiliated with or endorsed by the IBA. All pages: https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/sitemap.md