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What Is Tequila?

Brendan McGuigan
Brendan McGuigan

Tequila is an alcoholic drink made from the distilled agave plant. The general group of alcoholic drinks made from this plant are referred to as mescal, of which tequila is a specific and regulated form.

Agave is not, as is commonly thought, a cactus, but is actually a large succulent more closely related to lilies. There are hundreds of species of agave, many of which are radically different from one another. One of the most well-known species is the century plant, often found in gardens throughout the world. Tequila is made from a species of agave called blue agave, or Agave tequilana.

Margaritas are made with tequila.
Margaritas are made with tequila.

The best tequilas are made solely from agave and are usually labeled as being 100%. Others may mix in some other bulk, such as sugar or corn, to supplement the agave, which is quite expensive. In order to be certified as tequila, however, at least 51% of the material used to make it must be agave.

Many archaeologists believe that the agave plant has been cultivated by humans for nearly 9,000 years. The first evidence for an alcoholic drink made from it dates back to the time of the Spanish Conquistadors nearly 500 years ago, who distilled the native pulque drink into a stronger liquor. By the 17th century, the beverage was being mass produced and sold throughout Mexico. The modern tequila has its origins somewhat later, around 1800, when it began to be mass produced using methods that are almost identical to those used by many modern producers. Some of these original batches have survived and are still available for sale.

A shot of tequila with lime.
A shot of tequila with lime.

In the past decade, tequila has seen increased international popularity, with worldwide sales skyrocketing. A wide range of top-end spirits have sprung up to take advantage of this popularity, and a number of large corporations have begun expanding their production. It's become one of the hottest gift ideas for millenials. The popularized inclusion of a worm in the bottom of a bottle has its origins in the 1940s, when it was introduced as a marketing ploy. The worm is meant to be the larvae of a moth that sometimes infests the agave plant, whose presence denoted a lower quality product. In recent years, manufacturers have struggled to remove the myth of the worm from the minds of their drinkers, as they attempt to improve the image of the drink. Get the full experience with a tequila-decanter that will impress your guests.

Discussion Comments

cloudel

I'm the only person I know who hates tequila. I find the smell and the taste repulsive! It reminds me of sweat and meat, and I want to throw up when I sniff it or accidentally get a swig of it.

Oceana

@seag47 – The most popular drink containing tequila is the margarita. Although I've never cared for the taste of it, my friends rave about it.

They drink margaritas frozen and on the rocks. They are pretty potent, because tequila is rather strong.

Another drink is the tequila sunrise. It contains orange juice, lime juice, and grenadine along with tequila, and it forms these layers of color in the glass that look like the sky at sunrise.

seag47

What sort of mixed drinks are made with tequila? I often order mixed drinks at bars without even knowing what type of alcohol is in them. I imagine I've tried tequila before and just didn't realize it.

apolo72

@desertdunes -- Two reasons why a worm in a bottle of tequila (technically mezcal tequila) would be attractive not detractive: (1) the worm was thought to be an aphrodisiac, and (2) in certain parts of Mexico (like many parts of the world), worms, bugs and insects are thought to be a delicacy.

desertdunes

Wait that doesn't make sense. If the worm was meant to be an indicator of sub-par tequila, WHY would any company have used it as a marketing ploy? That would immediately imply that their brand wasn't good and customers would buy a different brand, the "ploy" would backfire.

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    • Margaritas are made with tequila.
      By: Elenathewise
      Margaritas are made with tequila.
    • A shot of tequila with lime.
      By: Serhiy Shullye
      A shot of tequila with lime.
    • Tequila comes from the agave plant.
      By: lunamarina
      Tequila comes from the agave plant.
    • The first evidence that the agave plant was used to make an alchoholic drink dates back to the times of the Spanish Conquistadors nearly 500 years ago, who distilled the native drink into a stronger liquor.
      By: etienn280
      The first evidence that the agave plant was used to make an alchoholic drink dates back to the times of the Spanish Conquistadors nearly 500 years ago, who distilled the native drink into a stronger liquor.
    • Tequila was mass produced and sold in Mexico during the 17th century.
      By: Stocksnapper
      Tequila was mass produced and sold in Mexico during the 17th century.