Mezcal is a distilled spirit produced from the agave plant in Mexico. It typically has an alcohol content between 35-55% ABV and comes in various styles including Joven, Reposado, and Anejo.
How it is made
Mezcal production begins with harvesting the agave plant, which takes 7-8 years to mature. The piña (heart of the agave) is then cooked using traditional methods such as earthen pits, stone ovens, or autoclaves. After cooking, the agave is crushed using various methods from manual tools to mechanical shredders. The resulting mash undergoes fermentation in wooden, stone, or stainless steel containers, followed by distillation in traditional stills like Filipino stills, alembics, or continuous columns.
History
Agave has been used in Mesoamerica for over 9,000 years. Distilled mezcal emerged during Spanish colonization when Filipinos introduced the still technology. Despite Spanish prohibitions on production, mezcal continued to be made in small batches. By the end of the 19th century, modernized production methods emerged in Jalisco, eventually leading to the development of tequila as a specific type of mezcal.
Types and styles
Mezcal is categorized into three main styles based on production methods: Ancestral (using traditional tools and clay vessels), Artesanal (distilled in copper pot stills in small batches), and Modern (using continuous distillation columns). By aging, mezcal is classified as Joven (unaged), Reposado (aged several months), or Anejo (aged several years). The specific agave variety, production process, and terroir all contribute to mezcal's diverse flavor profiles.
How it is served
Mezcal is enjoyed neat to appreciate its complex flavors, in cocktails such as Margarita, Paloma, and Tequila Sunrise, or paired with food. It can be served with traditional accompaniments like orange slices and salt, or used as a base for various cocktails available on the site including Long Island Iced Tea, Vampiro, and Tommy's Margarita.
Adapted from the Russian Wikipedia article Мескаль, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Kinds of mezcal
- Tequila (164 cocktails)
Other styles
- Miske (Ecuador)