Tequila vs. Mezcal: What's the Difference?
So, you have a hankering for Mexican food and you're ready to cook up an enchilada feast. But before you begin, you'll want to pour yourself a festive drink. Everyone knows that you have two options when it comes to Mexican spirits: tequila or mezcal. But what exactly is the difference?
You may have heard that tequila is a type of mezcal, but not all mezcal is considered tequila. Confused? Don't worry, we're breaking it all down in this guide to the agave-based drinks. Learn about how tequila and mezcal are made, what to look for when shopping for a bottle, and the best ways to use them. So, whether you're making a classic tequila cocktail like a paloma or margarita or Ree Drummond's Oklahoma Prairie Fire (made with fiery mezcal), you'll be prepared for taco night.
First, here's a little history lesson about tequila and mezcal. Before either of these modern spirits became a hit, there was another agave-based drink that was produced in Mexico by the ancient Aztecs. The name was "pulque" and it was a naturally fermented, milky drink that was often considered sacred. According to Liquor.com, when the Spanish invaded Mexico in the 1500s, they used that same agave plant for distillation to create what is now known as mezcal. Soon after, blue agave plants were used to create what we know as tequila. Though it all may sound like they come from the same plant and therefore must be the same thing, there are actually some pretty big differences between tequila and mezcal.
What is mezcal?
Mezcal is made from the heart of the agave plant known as the "piña." It's made in a traditional way that includes cooking the piña in an underground pit. This helps give the drink its distinct smoky flavor. If you like bold, assertive cocktails with a fiery kick, then give mezcal a try in your next cocktail recipe. Besides for the flavor, one of the main differences between mezcal and tequila is that mezcal can also be made from various types of agave, while tequila can only be made from the blue agave. Most of the mezcal production today is in Mexican state of Oaxaca.
What is tequila?
Tequila is often referred to as a type of mezcal because it's also made from the agave plant. However, this time around, only one type of agave can be used: the blue Weber agave. When shopping for the best bottles of tequila, look for 100 percent agave tequila—this is the purest form. Another restriction that's given to tequila is where its produced. Most tequila is produced in Jalisco, Mexico. Though the flavor tends to be more neutral compared to mezcal, tequila can still have various complex flavors, especially when aged.
What are the different types of mezcal and tequila?
When determining what type of tequila to use, you can choose from different types of tequila based on how long they've been aged.
Blanco or Silver tequila is often clear and only aged for less than two months.
Reposado will be more gold in color with a two-month minimum for aging.
Joven is a mix of the clear tequila and an aged tequila that also has a golden color.
Añjeo is aged for at least one year and has a distinctly dark color. For an even darker and richer option, look for bottles labelled extra añjeo.
Mezcal can also be characterized by these same aging types. However, producers will often refer to the type of agave plant used rather than the age.
Can you substitute mezcal for tequila?
Both mezcal and tequila are great options for pairing with traditional Mexican dishes or even Tex-Mex dishes for that matter. They can even be easily used interchangeably for most drinks as long as you're aware of the flavor difference. If you want to try swapping in mezcal for tequila in a classic margarita or a simple ranch water, just be prepared for a burst of smoky flavor.
You Might Also Like
