Backyard Bartender EPx - Musings about tequila on a rainy day in "Dry"uary

Backyard Bartender EPx - Musings about tequila on a rainy day in "Dry"uary

January 13, 2023

One of the few resolutions that I make at the start of every year, is Dryuary. It is almost the middle of the month and I am on track but that doesn't keep my adventurous spirit as an amateur mixologist from studying my craft. One of the things that is fueling my imagination today is the fact that Milissa and I spent the last two weeks of the year (minus a few days stuck in airports) in Zihuantanejo Mexico. 

We drank a lot of tequila and tequila cocktails. There aren't many tequila drinks that I haven't tried but I still go out looking. I didn't find anything that knocked my socks off but I did learn a few things about tequila. Most notably is that all tequilas are not considered Mexican! That is right!

Let's start at the beginning. Do you know who drinks the most tequila in the world?

Did you guess it?

The US is actually the biggest consumer of tequila per capita, with Mexico coming in second. 

I was surprised to find out that the next biggest market is the Land Down Under, nearly 8,000 miles away from Mexico. Australia's booming interest in agave spirits can be partially explained by historical traditions.

And the Japanese, never wanting to miss out on a good party are catching up real quick!

So what does that mean for Mexican tequila? Well, Mexican laws state that tequila can be produced only in the state of Jalisco and limited municipalities in the states of Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas. You might be asking yourself, "How can tequila not be mexican?" It is but it is suffering. It started in 2006.

An American company (Damn GRINGOs) Brown-Forman acquired on of Mexico's premium brands, Heradura. To maximize profits they of course needed to cut costs. I little here and there started to affect the quality. Next challenge was keeping up with the demand. They started to "fudge" a little on the the required boundaries to keep up with those crazy Americans need for tequila. It got so bad that many mexicans won't drink it and the upscale tequileiras won't sell it anymore. Some parts of the country have relegated those brands to the grocery stores. It is sad to see but it makes one appreciate tequilas coming from the smaller farms and distilleries who still operate to their family recipes. They have worked their farms for hundreds of years but how long can they last?

If that isn't screwed up enough, the following is a "The History of Mexican Tequilas" written by AI! You don't have to worry about me though. AI wouldn't be dumb enough to drink the things that I make at the Backyard Bartender!

"The History of Mexican Tequilas" 

Tequila is a type of mezcal, a traditional Mexican spirit made from the blue agave plant. The name "tequila" is protected by Mexican law and can only be used for spirits made in specific regions of Mexico, primarily the states of Jalisco, Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas.
The blue agave plant takes around 8-12 years to mature before it is ready to be harvested. The heart of the plant, called the piña, is then cooked, mashed and fermented to create the base for tequila. The distilled liquid is then aged in oak barrels, which can range from a few months to several years. The aging process imparts unique flavor and color to the tequila.
Tequila is typically classified into four categories: blanco, reposado, añejo, and extra añejo. Blanco, also known as silver, is the youngest and most clear type of tequila. It is aged for no more than 60 days and is typically used in cocktails like Margaritas. Reposado, which means "rested," is aged for at least two months but less than a year. This type of tequila has a smoother, more complex flavor than blanco. Añejo, which means "aged," is aged for at least one year but less than three years. This type of tequila has a rich, smooth, and complex flavor. Extra Añejo, which means "extra aged," is aged for at least three years. This type of tequila is the smoothest and most complex of the four categories.
Tequila is traditionally served neat or on the rocks in a tequila glass called a caballito. Tequila can also be used in a variety of cocktails such as Margarita, Tequila Sunrise, and Paloma.
Tequila has a long history and cultural significance in Mexico, and it's the national drink of Mexico. Today, tequila is enjoyed all over the world, and it's a popular spirit in many countries. Tequila is a unique and versatile spirit that can be enjoyed in many ways.