Mezcal: Unique, trendy versatile Visit Auburn Spirts and Auburn Wine and Spirts for this great Mexican spirit

Tequila and stories go hand-in-hand. Some are grand, and some are cautionary tales. But did you know there is a story behind the creation of the margarita?

It might be more of an urban legend. This one starts with an old drink called the daisy. The legend says that a Tijuana bartender was making a daisy and accidentally grabbed tequila instead of brandy. It turns out this inadvertent cocktail was a hit, and it was named the margarita – the Spanish word for “daisy.”

In reality, tequila is a type of mezcal, in the same way that scotch and bourbon are types of whiskey.

Mezcal is any spirit made from the agave plant. Tequila is made in specific regions of Mexico and must be made from blue agave, or agave tequila. Both spirits use the center part of the agave –the piña – but for mezcal, the piña is cooked in fire pits in the ground, which creates a smoky flavor.

Tequila and mezcal are the second-fastest growing category of spirits today, with 30 percent growth between 2020 and 2021. In fact, tequila and mezcal sales are growing at twice the rate of Irish whiskey, cordials, and single malt scotch.

Mezcal is versatile. It can be used in cocktails to replace tequila, or in high-end cocktails that involved scotch or whiskey.

Come see all the types of tequila and mezcal available at Auburn Spirits West and Auburn Wine and Spirits East. They have hand-painted bottles to choose from.

Auburn Spirits and Auburn Wine and Spirits tasting events highlight the differences between tequila and mezcal. Look for our upcoming event early March.

Mezcal Margarita

1-1/2 oz. mezcal

1 oz. Cointreau (or any orange liqueur)

3/4 oz. freshly-squeezed lime juice

Optional: Agave nectar or simple syrup for sweetening, if desired

Ice

Optional: Lime wedge and salt for rimming glass

• Salt rim of glass

• Add mexcal, lime juice and Cointreau to a cocktail shaker, and shake or stir until combined. Taste, and if you would like it to be sweeter (most people do), stir in 1/2-teaspoon of agave or simple syrup until the mix reaches your desired level of sweetness.

• Fill glass with ice. Pour in the margarita mixture over the rocks. Serve immediately, garnished with an extra lime wedge if desired.

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