Today, July 24, commemorates National Tequila Day with a little lime and salt.
People have been making tequila for centuries, and it was once known as mezcal wine. Mezcal is the name for the family of Mexican alcoholic spirits distilled from various species of the agave genus, known as Maguey. Tequila is often decribed as a sub-category of mezcal. In fact, tequila is mezcal, but mezcal isn’t tequila. That’s because tequila is distilled from a specific type of agave plant.
According to nationalcalendar.com, this history of tequila started around the 16th century. Cortez arrived on the North American continent with his Spanish conquistadors. They didn’t care much for the fermented mezcal wine served to them. However, the Spanish introduced copper stills to the population. Enter the distilling process.
The history then moves to tequila, Jalisco, Mexico. Located in a valley west of Guadalajara in Jalisco, Mexico, the town made a name for themselves by distilling Blue Agave. Even though a variety of succulents in Mexico produce mezcal, only one delivers the nectar to distill tequila. Blue Agave grows in the highland region. Indeed, the unique growing conditions contribute to a larger size and sweeter tasting agave. In contrast, agave grown in the lowland regions taste and smell more herbal.
In Mexico, the law protects the production of tequila. The rule states tequila is only tequila if it is made within Jalisco. Additionally, the law limits production to regions in the states of Guanajuato, Michoacan, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas. However, the same ingredients distilled anywhere else cannot be labeled tequila. José Antonio Cuervo held the first license for making the favored beverage.
As always, consume alcoholic beverages responsibly.
Cheap but must-try tequilas for shots
• Agavales Blanco Tequila
• Tres Agaves Organic Blanco Tequila
• Herradura 150 Anniversario Extra Añejo Tequila – $500
• DeLeón Leona Añejo Tequila – $979
• Fuenteseca 21 Years Old Vintage 1993 Extra Añejo Tequila – $1,000
• Clase Azul Ultra Extra Anejo Tequila – $1,700
• 1800 Tequila Colección Reserva Extra Añejo Tequila – $1,800
• Asombroso Del Porto Extra Anejo – $1,897
• Barrique de Ponciano Porfidio Tequila – $2,000
• AsomBroso Reserva Del Porto Expensive Tequila – $2,800
• Patrón En Lalique: Serie 2 Tequila – $7,500
• Ley .925 Ultra-Premium – $225,000
• 1 ounce fresh lime juice or lemon juice
• Shake all ingredients with cracked ice.
• Rim a margarita glass with salt.
• Strain the cocktail mix into the glass.
• Note: To spice things up, garnish with slice or two of fresh jalapeño.
The following nutrition information is provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for one shot (42g or 1.5 ounces) of tequila.
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