How Breaking Bad Stars Took Their Mezcal Brand To The Next Level

by Joshua Soriano June 23, 2021

If you've seen the hit show Breaking Bad , then the name Dos Hombres should ring a bell. This is the mezcal brand started by Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston, which loosely translates to “two guys on a quest.”

Recently, Dos Hombres took the world by storm when they announced they were teaming up with Corona Brewer Constellation Brands. The conglomerate company has taken a minority stake in Dos Hombres and will help expand its production and introduce it to the international market.

This article will explore Dos Hombres' history as well as its unique branding strategies.

The Beginnings of Dos Hombres Mezcal

Some people will do anything for money. Walter White and Jesse Pinkman are the perfect examples of this, as in their roles in Breaking Bad , they lived dual lives.

One side is a mild-mannered chemistry teacher who cares deeply about his children, while the other is cooking up meth to make quick cash. Unfortunately, Aaron and Bryan are so good at being bad that it was hard to figure out which character you were rooting for during the entire series!

For several years that the actors spent working together, their friendship also grew deeper. After forming what the duo dubs a “special bond” while filming the critically acclaimed AMC television show and knowing they would not be sharing screen-time together for quite some time, Paul and Bryan Cranston began discussing ways they could work again as they sipped cocktails at a bar in New York.

They soon found inspiration from their drinks of choice – mezcal. And set out to team up with other like-minded individuals who were also passionate about this special spirit so that eventually everyone can enjoy it all over America.

“We have fallen in love with all things mezcal – the process, the community behind the spirit, the tradition,” said Paul in an interview with Global News Wire .

“We were just two guys on a quest to find a spirit that we felt everyone would love, and we’ve put a lot of energy into this. We couldn’t be more excited for the next chapter with Constellation and continuing to build this brand. We have big hopes and dreams for Dos Hombres, and we are thrilled that Constellation’s vision for Dos Hombres is aligned with ours," he furthered.

“Aaron and I are two guys from working-class families who have enjoyed good fortune through hard work – so Dos Hombres just seemed to fit our sensibilities,” added Bryan Cranston.

Dos Hombres: The Spirit With an Attitude

Mezcal is a distilled liquor made from the agave plant. It's commonly consumed by Mexicans as an accompaniment to tacos and other Mexican dishes but can be drunk on its own with lime juice or salt for flavor. The drink has been around since 1500 BC when it was used in rituals intended to connect humans with their gods.

Dos Hombres Artesanal Mezcal with 42% ABV is made using the finest espadin agave hand selected.The piñas from the plants selected from the hillsides are cooked in earthen pits to release their sugars before being crushed with a tahona wheel with no modern technology used in the process. After fermenting for 7 to 10 days, Dos Hombres Espadin mezcal is distilled in copper stills.

Dos Hombres Mezcal Tasting Notes

It's hard to describe the Dos Hombres mezcal in a way that does it justice. It tastes slightly smoky, ensuring the distinctive smoothness that you'd expect from any quality spirit, but with an unexpected bite at the end, just enough of an edge so your mouth won't get bored when drinking on its own.

Dos Hombres presents an appealing fragrance with rich taste signature notes of smoke with hints of apples, mango, local Oaxacan fruits, and wood that come out after you've had it on your tongue a while. So whether you’re drinking it neat, with ice cubes, or mixed in a cocktail, this best mezcal will be an excellent addition to your liquor cabinet!

Paul and Bryan Cranston Presents Their Mezcal to the World

Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston launched Dos Hombres Mezcal in July 2019. The brand made its debut internationally through Selfridges in 2020.

While Constellation Brands has invested in the company, Dos Hombres espadin mezcal will remain independently owned. As a result, they will keep producing their slightly smoky spirit that has been gaining international attention at a rapid pace since it first came onto the scene!

“Our goal is to make strategic, minority investments in high potential brands in growing categories, and the U.S. mezcal market continues to show great potential,” Constellation Ventures Vice President Jennifer Evans said in a statement at CNBC . “We’re excited to further invest in the category with a great team and brand that we feel has a lot of growth runway.”

Dos Hombres Espadin Mezcal Recipes

A few of the many ways to enjoy Dos Hombres: make a refreshing Mexican cocktail that is a unique blend of the finest liquor and other ingredients, and share with friends as you watch Mexico soap operas on your couch or at your next party.

Check out these unique Dos Hombres mezcal recipes that offer a smooth flavor that your family and friends can enjoy. Please drink responsibly!

Oaxacan Coffee

Ingredients

How to Make

  1. Add ingredients to a shaker filled with ice.
  2. Shake and strain into a rock’s glass over a large ice cube.
  3. Garnish with expressed orange peel. Enjoy!

Afternoon

Ingredients

  • 1.5 oz. Dos Hombres Mezcal
  • 2 oz. Grapefruit Soda
  • 2 oz. Prosecco
  • ¾ oz. Pamplemousse Liqueur

How to Make

  1. Add ice to a wine glass.
  2. Add the first two ingredients, top with Prosecco and grapefruit soda.
  3. Stir. Garnish with a grapefruit slice.

Morning

Ingredients

How to Make

  1. Use a lime wedge to coat the rim of a Collins glass.
  2. Add ingredients to a shaker full of ice.
  3. Shake and strain into your Collins glass filled with ice.
  4. Garnish with pickles of choice, celery, and olives.

Naughty Toddy

Ingredients

How to Make

  1. To make it hot: Mix all ingredients and pour into a teapot or pot on a stove and heat. Use caution as the cocktail will be hot. Pour into a coffee glass. Garnish with a lemon wheel.
  2. To make it cold: Add all ingredients to a mixing glass. Shake and strain into a coffee glass filled with ice. Garnish with a lemon wheel.

Dos Fashioned

Ingredients

How to Make

  1. In a mixing glass, add all ingredients.
  2. Shake and strain into a rock glass filled with ice.
  3. Garnish with an orange wedge and cherry. Bottom’s up!

Conclusion

Breaking Bad may have ended, but it has a legacy that won't stop living on through the stars themselves and their liquor.

Dos Hombres Espadin Mezcal is one of these successes, partly due to Breaking Bad's star Aaron Paul, who created the brand alongside his wife Lauren Parsekian since they're both avid mixologists who love it making drinks together.

The success behind celebrity-branded liquors isn’t new; we see them all over grocery stores now, like Aviation Gin by Ryan Reynolds or Dos Equis by The Most Interesting Man In The World. Since Dos Hombres is taking their business relationship to another level with Constellation Brands, we can't wait to see how this partnership pans out!

If you want to enjoy this best mezcal to the fullest with its smooth flavor and subtly smoky taste, you can pour it into the best copper mugs .

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