Happy National Tequila Day! On July 24, today commemorates this alcoholic beverage with a little lime and salt.
Mix up a Margarita, Paloma, or a Mamasita to celebrate the day! People have been making tequila for centuries, and it was once known as mezcal wine.
In fact, tequila is mezcal, but mezcal isn’t Tequila. That’s because tequila is distilled from a specific type of agave plant.
Also, the law protects its production. Take a sip, and we’ll travel into the history of tequila.
Tequila History
It all started around the 16th century. Hernán de Monroy y Pizarro Altamiran Cortés arrived on the North American continent with his Spanish conquistadors.
However, they didn’t care much for the fermented mezcal wine served to them. Nonetheless, the Spanish introduced copper stills to the population. Enter the distilling process.
Our story now takes us 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.
Interestingly, many names in the tequila business today were the very first commercial producers of tequila.
For example, Don José Antonio Cuervo, a Mexican colonist from Spain, held the first license for making the favored beverage. He kept a well-known company as well.
Two other names include Mexican distiller Don Cenobio Sauza (known as the "Father of Tequila") and former Mexican tequila distillery administrator/Tequila Herradura founder Félix López, whose businesses continue in some form today.
Equally enjoyed in cocktails such as the margarita or tequila sunrise, connoisseurs savor a good tequila like a good whiskey.
As a result, savvy drinkers experience the smooth renaissance of tequila. Surprisingly, it’s not the firewater they remember from their youth.
HOW TO OBSERVE
Make a celebration out of your meal. Join the conversation by posting on social media using #NationalTequilaDay.
WARNING: Remember always to drink responsibly and never drink and drive.
HISTORY
National Day Calendar® is researching the origins of this beverage holiday.
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