A riff on the Last Word, the Division Bell is an agave and Aperol-forward cocktail that many claim helped put mezcal on the map.
The Division Bell was created by veteran bartender Phil Ward, who’s worked in some of NYC’s most influential bars such as Death & Co, Pegu Club and Flatiron Lounge. His epiphany about the impressive versatility of agave spirits occurred during his time at Death & Co, inspiring him to create countless new cocktails with mezcal and tequila as the stars. But Phil didn't stop there. He went on to open his own Mexican spirit-focused bar, Mayahuel, bringing mezcal to the mainstream in the US. And in tow, the Division Bell.
The cocktail’s name pays homage to the album of the same name by Pink Floyd – Phil says he listened to it on repeat while he was bringing his East Village bar to life. Also home to Phil’s Oaxaca Old Fashioned and more than 20 other mezcal- and tequila-based cocktails, the now-closed venue was one of the world’s first bars dedicated to the one spirit (other than whiskey). It was an ode to his affection for all things agave.
This celebration of agave is evident in the slightly sweet, zesty and bitter Division Bell that heroes the mezcal spirit in all its smoky glory. Although it was built around the same fundamentals of the iconic Last Word cocktail, the Division Bell is a stand-alone classic. It sports a unique and enticing orange glow that undoubtedly bolstered its popularity, helping to blaze mezcal into the spotlight in NYC – and the world.
