Even though tequila is almost universally recognized as a Mexican spirit, it’s not the only one. In fact, there are many other agave-based drinks that originated in Mexico and are still produced there today.
From mescals to pulque, here are three other lesser-known tequila alternatives that are also made with agave.
But first, why is agave so important to Mexico?
Agave is so important to Mexico because it is the country’s largest export, with more than 80% of the world’s agave grown in Mexico to make tequila or mezcal.
The Mexican government has actually been trying to increase agave production and make it a bigger export because they are worried that the plant’s population is diminishing fast. Agave plants take 10–15 years to mature enough to harvest, so the current stock that’s being used for tequila and mezcal will probably run out soon.
Tequila
Tequila is the most famous of all the agave-based drinks in Mexico. You might have heard that it’s made from the blue agave plant, but you might not know what that plant even looks like. The blue agave plant is a species that’s endemic to Mexico and has a large bulbous root that’s used to make tequila.
The tequila production process is a complex one, but the basic idea is that you harvest the blue agave and roast the root inside ovens. From there, you grind it up, ferment it, and then distill the fermented sugars from the root — all to get that sweet and earthy flavor.
Mezcal
Mezcal was actually the first drink on this list and is often called tequila’s "father." The two drinks are very similar in their overall styles, but mezcal has a slightly smokier flavor. The process for making mezcal is very different from tequila as well. Mezcal is made from roasted agave hearts instead of roots.
In short, the harvest workers take the agave hearts that are left after extracting the blue agave sugar. They roast them in an outdoor pit, grind them up, and then distill the fermented juices to make mezcal. The roasting and fermentation process for mezcal is much shorter than it is for tequila, so it’s a less nuanced and more raw spirit. Mezcal can be produced using different types of agave, so it can be a bit more diverse.
Pulque
Pulque is the drink that is most different from the others on this list. Pulque is made from a mix of agave and other ingredients like bananas, yams, and honey. It’s a fermented agave drink that’s made in a way that’s very similar to how wine is produced. The fermentation process for pulque is much different from that of tequila and mezcal. It’s actually a natural process that occurs when the sugars from the agave plants are mixed with bacteria.
Pulque has a very different flavor profile than tequila and mezcal because the fermentation process creates a very mild flavor that has almost no burning whatsoever. It’s actually more like drinking a really mild but really sweet beer than any other booze. The process for making pulque is very simple and has been around for thousands of years. Because of this, it’s a drink that’s still very popular in rural areas of Mexico.
More on Mezcals
Mezcals are tequilas that have been aged in oak barrels. They are very similar to whiskeys in terms of flavor and texture, but are often less expensive and more approachable. Mezcals are very different from aged tequilas in terms of their production methods. Mezcals are aged in barrels that were used for winemaking or scotch-making before being refinished for tequila aging. Since they are made from different barrels, they have a very different flavor profile than aged tequilas.
Mezcals are often a bit fruitier and more complex than their non-aged counterparts. Mezcals are great drinks to try if you want more flavor but don’t want to drink something that’s too strong. They’re fruitier and more complex than tequila, but they're also less expensive and less strong than scotch or bourbon.
Tequila, mezcal, and pulque are lesser-known but equally important drinks made from agave. They are all made in different ways, so they each have their own unique flavor profile and characteristics. These drinks are all made in Mexico, and they each have long histories rooted in the country. Now that you know about these other agave-based drinks, go out and try a few. You might not end up liking all of them, but you’ll definitely come away with a new appreciation for tequila.