Why mezcal has become so popular?

So you’re sitting at the dinner table with your date and the waiter comes up and hands you their specialty menu full of mezcals, you have never heard of mezcal before and have no clue what to order. You’re searching and searching and see “mezcal margaritas” and think hmm this might be ok. So you order it. Your server brings it to your table and boom you fall in with the bold smoky flavor and the flavor of the fresh lime juice mixed together has your taste buds dancing all over the place. So what is this amazing beverage that you never have had before that you are now in love with. It is mezcal and its winning heart of americans all over. 

Brief history of mezcal. 

You may not know, but  mezcal and tequila are related. They are both made from agave. A plant that you can find in South America. When an agave plant matures it creates a “pina.” or heart in the center of the plant where the juice comes from.  The word mezcal comes from Nahuatl mexicali meaning “oven cooked agave.” It is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from any type of agave plant. Although the most popular place mezcal to be made is in Oaxaca Mexico, it can also be made in Durango, San Luis Potosi, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas and Michoacan.

How to pick which is best for you.

When choosing a mezcal we recommend that you do not go for the high priced ones. It is important to make sure that you will like mezcals as not all people do. Our friends are rosaluna are the experts in mezcal and can easily show you how to determine which mezcal would be best for you. 

Here are some important labels for you to read to help choose your mezcal 

• Type I: This is the indication that the mezcal is made with 100% agave as the base. If the label does not say type I make sure it says 100% to ensure that it is a type I mezcal.
• Type II: All mezcals are required to be made with no less than 80% agave. Type II agaves are made with the required 80% agave and with another fermenting agent like pure cane sugar. These often have a different taste and hide some of flavors that agave has to offer.
• Reposado- This mezcal has been aged in wooden barrels for about 2 to 8 months
• Anejo- Has to be aged a minimum of one year but usually has been aged for two to three years.
• White- is a clear spirit that has been aged for about 2 months.
• Joven- This is going to be a young mezcal that has been aged only a couple months.

The Younger generation takes over.

Mezcal owes a lot of it’s new found popularity to the younger crowd of drinkers. As younger people are more inclined to try new things, It only makes sense that they would be more interested in a mezcal. As you probably know, when you try something new for the first time, no matter if you love it or hate it, you’re going to tell your friends and family about it. Let’s just assume you love mezcal (because once you try it we know you’ll love it) you’re going to go raving about it to your friends and family, then they’re going to try it and love and it goes on and on. It is however important to start off small when you’re trying a mezcal for the first time. Remember more expensive does not always mean better in flavor and taste. And as always please drink responsibly. Cheers!