Mezcal Oyster Shooter

While oysters are traditionally served with a vinegary mignonette sauce, Jason Mendenhall of NYC’s The Wayland serves his alongside a smoky, tangy shot of shallot-infused mezcal and pickle juice. At The Wayland, the oyster of choice is Blue Point, but Mendenhall says any smaller, slightly briny oyster will work. When it comes to oyster-eating etiquette, Mendenhall says you’ll get more flavor if you chew the oyster before shooting the mezcal shot—but slurping is also absolutely acceptable. “Slurping an oyster is awesome,” he says. “Nothing wrong with that.”