When you throw back a shot of tequila, what exactly are you putting into your body? Any guesses?
While many high-end brands use 100 percent agave to create their spirits, regulations state that, in order for a liquor to be called tequila, it needs only be composed of 51 percent agave. What's the other 49 percent? A "tequila helper" made from other types of sugar, most often cane sugar. The problem: Tequila brands aren't required to list out their sugar sources.
So how do you add some Latino vibes to a night out when you want to avoid shrug-emoji ingredients lists? One option is mezcal—a majorly trending Mexican liquor that’s made from agave, like tequila, but is ultra-pure in terms of ingredients and craftsmanship.
Mezcal is becoming the spirit of choice among those who are health conscious. It's the cleanest spirit on the market due to its traditional production process and the fact that mezcal must contain 100 percent agave by law.
Not to mention it's got a complex taste that definitely won't bring back bad memories. Mezcal has flavours that range through earth, ash, smoke, wood, dirt, rock, and cut grass, with an underlying sweetness from the agave.
No wonder it's now a fixture on so many cocktail menus—and healthy home bar carts, too.
Here are the wellness benefits of mezcal—and how to drink it for a healthy buzz.
An old-school spirit with modern appeal
Comparing mezcal and other spirits is kind of like a face-off between farm-to-table fare and processed food. While most liquors today are industrially produced, the majority of mezcal sold is still crafted by hand, the old-school way.
Mezcal is [often] made by roasting agave hearts in a large pit, crushing the roasted hearts with a tahona stone to release the juices, and then fermenting the juices and fibers in wooden containers and distilling in a copper still. Mezcal Viejo Indecente's Jose Lucas – Third Generation Master distiller - says “Our Mezcal is naturally harvested, artisanal and handmade. Our Pure Maguey Madrecuixe, for example, is cooked in a handcrafted steam oven, and fermented in tanks made from Montezuma wood. We finish with double distillation in a cobber alembic still. This leaves you with an unctuous, fruity yet herbal taste, and an almost smokeless finish.” It's an alchemical and beautiful craft.
But even though mezcal may be cleaner than other spirits, it's important to remember that it’s still hard alcohol. “It's got the reputation of being healthier, but it's not a health food,” says chef, certified nutritionist, and The Thinking Girl's Guide to Drinking author Ariane Resnick. Mescals vary in flavour, from a clean, nutty earthiness, through to strong and smoky. Work out what you like and go from there.
What to look for when ordering mescal
As mezcal grows in popularity, it's only a matter of time before makers start to give it the factory treatment. Seek out a craft mescal like Viejo Indecente. A new law requires each company to label their bottles as being artisanal, ancient, or industrial, as determined by a regulatory body.
“You'll get the best experience—and the least chance of a hangover—if you're choosing low-sugar mixers and fresh ingredients.”
—Ariane Resnick, certified nutritionist
Resnick's a fan of adding fresh grapefruit juice or peach kombucha to her mezcal, while others prefer theirs with green juice or cucumber and mint. At Spirits Box, we like our Mezcal neat, but find it's delicious when mixed with dragonfruit or mango cocktails too! That standard margarita sounds pretty boring right about now, doesn't it?
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