Introducing Mezcal: This Year’s Drink of the Summer
Last year it was Aperol Spritz, the year before it was all things gin. Now, let us warmly welcome mezcal – your new drink of the summer!
A few months back, during summer in the northern hemisphere, mezcal’s popularity spread up from Mexico, across America and further afield. Now, it’s on its way to New Zealand – don’t be surprised to see it at your next Christmas party.
If you haven’t heard of mezcal yet, the team at Amigos Aotearoa has your back – here’s everything you need to know about the hottest drink of the year.
What is mezcal?
Mezcal is a Mexican spirit that has been around for hundreds of years. It’s always been a staple in Mexico, but now it has thankfully found its way into glasses around the globe. Mezcal is made from agave, a type of succulent native to the drier regions of Mexico. To make it, the core of the agave plant is roasted underground – not unlike a Hāngī – which gives the drink a deliciously smoky flavour.
Wait, that sounds a lot like tequila?
That’s because tequila is a type of mezcal, sort of like how Pinot Gris is a type of wine. In other words, yes tequila is mezcal, but mezcal isn’t always tequila. To be tequila, the drink has to be made out of the Blue Weber agave plant. But there are dozens of types of agave species, and mezcal can be made out of any of them.
What makes mezcal special?
First, there’s the agave, an ancient desert plant that takes at least four years to mature, though it’s usually closer to eight, or even ten. And when you harvest agave, you kill the plant so, unlike the grapes that will keep growing on the vine year after year, you have to wait an decade until a newly agave plant is ready to be harvested and turned into the magic that is mezcal.
Then there’s the worm. If you’ve ever seen a bottle of spirits with a worm in the bottom, that’s mezcal. Though it’s actually a Mexican-American invention, we still think the worm in the bottle gimmick is pretty cool.
But something people really love about mezcal is that most of it is still made the traditional way, in tiny distilleries with dirt floors. A drink that holds true to its roots, there’s truly nothing more artisanal than mezcal.
Sounds cool! How should I drink it?
Let us count the ways! Share it with friends or enjoy it at an intimate dinner. Try it straight, pour it on the rocks, or mix it into a cocktail – from a Mezcal Margarita to an Oaxaca Old Fashioned, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy this summer’s best beverage.
Okay, I’m convinced. How can I get my hands on some mezcal in NZ?
We’re sure that mezcal will be at all the hottest bars and restaurants across NZ this summer, but to get your hands on a bottle of your own, you can order right here on our Amigos Aotearoa website.
Salud! (Cheers!)
A few months back, during summer in the northern hemisphere, mezcal’s popularity spread up from Mexico, across America and further afield. Now, it’s on its way to New Zealand – don’t be surprised to see it at your next Christmas party.
If you haven’t heard of mezcal yet, the team at Amigos Aotearoa has your back – here’s everything you need to know about the hottest drink of the year.
What is mezcal?
Mezcal is a Mexican spirit that has been around for hundreds of years. It’s always been a staple in Mexico, but now it has thankfully found its way into glasses around the globe. Mezcal is made from agave, a type of succulent native to the drier regions of Mexico. To make it, the core of the agave plant is roasted underground – not unlike a Hāngī – which gives the drink a deliciously smoky flavour.
Wait, that sounds a lot like tequila?
That’s because tequila is a type of mezcal, sort of like how Pinot Gris is a type of wine. In other words, yes tequila is mezcal, but mezcal isn’t always tequila. To be tequila, the drink has to be made out of the Blue Weber agave plant. But there are dozens of types of agave species, and mezcal can be made out of any of them.
What makes mezcal special?
First, there’s the agave, an ancient desert plant that takes at least four years to mature, though it’s usually closer to eight, or even ten. And when you harvest agave, you kill the plant so, unlike the grapes that will keep growing on the vine year after year, you have to wait an decade until a newly agave plant is ready to be harvested and turned into the magic that is mezcal.
Then there’s the worm. If you’ve ever seen a bottle of spirits with a worm in the bottom, that’s mezcal. Though it’s actually a Mexican-American invention, we still think the worm in the bottle gimmick is pretty cool.
But something people really love about mezcal is that most of it is still made the traditional way, in tiny distilleries with dirt floors. A drink that holds true to its roots, there’s truly nothing more artisanal than mezcal.
Sounds cool! How should I drink it?
Let us count the ways! Share it with friends or enjoy it at an intimate dinner. Try it straight, pour it on the rocks, or mix it into a cocktail – from a Mezcal Margarita to an Oaxaca Old Fashioned, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy this summer’s best beverage.
Okay, I’m convinced. How can I get my hands on some mezcal in NZ?
We’re sure that mezcal will be at all the hottest bars and restaurants across NZ this summer, but to get your hands on a bottle of your own, you can order right here on our Amigos Aotearoa website.
Salud! (Cheers!)