8 spirits to shout: Viva, Mexico!

Celebrate September and the national holidays with Mexican spirits! They have a rich historical and cultural tradition, and they pair perfectly with the typical Mexican dishes of the season. Next, we will tell you about the most representative spirits in Mexico that you can toast with pride:Agave SpiritsTequilaIt is the most recognized Mexican spirit worldwide. Before being called tequila, its first name was mezcal wine, and its success was reflected since the golden age of Mexican cinema, in movies like Los Tres García or La Tequilera, ¡Ay Jalisco, no te rajes!. It is made from blue agave (Agave tequilana weber) in the states of Jalisco, Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas. You can enjoy it neat, with lime and salt, or mixed in some of its most famous cocktails. We recommend enjoying the traditional flavors found in the markets of Guadalajara with a good tequila. Mezcal“For everything bad, mezcal; for everything good too… and if there's no remedy: a liter and a half,” says the popular Mexican saying. Mezcal is one of the most representative spirits of Mexico internationally. It is the flagship drink of Oaxaca and is produced in seven other states with Denomination of Origin (DO): Durango, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Michoacán, San Luis Potosí, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas. This drink is obtained from the distillation of fermented juice from cooked agave hearts. There are over 200 endemic species used to make mezcal; however, only 14 species are established by the NOM, among the most popular are espadín, tobalá, salmiana, or papalotl. Enjoying a mezcal alongside a delicious tlayuda, guacamole with chapulines, or any of the seven Oaxacan moles is guaranteed pleasure. If you want to learn how to properly taste mezcal, click here. SotolIt is the agave spirit from northern Mexico. It is produced under Denomination of Origin in the states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, and Durango. Its name comes from the Nahuatl word tzotollin, which means “sweet from the head.” The Tarahumara people have been making it for 800 years for their religious ceremonies and as a medicinal source. There is only one Nolinaceae or lily used for its production: Dasylirion Wheeleri. The flavor of sotol is strong, with pronounced mineral and herbal notes, perfect for enjoying the flavors of the north. BacanoraIt is a spirit with Denomination of Origin exclusive to the state of Sonora. It comes from the Agave Agustifolia Haw, commonly known as vegetable agave. Its flavor is strong and is perfect to accompany the entire Sonoran cuisine, especially with tacos de cabeza or lengua. Raicilla Unlike other agave spirits, it has not obtained NOM or DO. It is a spirit that is produced exclusively in the state of Jalisco. There is an unspecified number of agave species allowed for its production, collectively called raicilleros agaves. Try it with some typical Jalisco snacks like a tasty torta ahogada, birria, or carne en su jugo.Other Spirits Made in MexicoMexico is not only one of the most megadiverse countries in the world, but it also has a creative industry that has successfully researched and developed spirits originating from other countries, such as sake and whiskey, as well as popular spirits like gin and rum. Here are some other spirits made in Mexico: SakeNami Sake is an artisanal sake produced since 2016 in Culiacán, Sinaloa. Its name means “wave” in Japanese. They are the first sake factory in Mexico and have the same characteristics and quality control as the product from Japan. Nami has won international recognition; for example, during the International Sake Challenge in Tokyo in 2019, Nami Junmai Daiginjo received a gold medal, while Nami Junmai and Nami Junmai Ginjo received silver medals. This sake of Japanese tradition and Mexican heart is perfect to be enjoyed neat or in a wine glass at 5°C and pairs wonderfully with Mexican food. GinVarious gin labels are currently produced in Mexico, utilizing the botanical richness of our land. Jäpi Gin is one of them; it has been made since 2017 in the Mezquital Valley in Hidalgo. Its name is an Otomi word meaning “Blessed.” Jäpi has 40 degrees of alcohol and is distilled in clay pots. The base botanicals are juniper and coriander seed, while others include fennel, spearmint, and mint, with a little anise, among others. The alcohol used is made from corn, and when cooking the ingredients, mesquite charcoal is used, sealing the clay pot with corn dough. Jäpi Gin is perfect for enjoying with a Hidalguense barbacoa or with some delicious pastes. WhiskeyThis spirit can be made with different grains such as rye, barley, wheat, and corn. Different whiskeys are produced in Mexico using corn, such as Pierde Almas, which has been produced since 2007 with different corn species (yellow corn from the Chinantla jungle, white and red from the Central Valleys of Oaxaca).Did you know about these Mexican spirits? We invite you to celebrate with them this September 15 and shout with pride: Long live Mexico!