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Everything you need to know about mezcal

Read time 3 Mins

Posted 04 Apr 2024

By
Mitch Parker

A quick guide to Mexico’s (other) favourite spirit.

Mezcal hasn’t quite hit the same heights of tequila in Australia just yet, but all that’s about to change. This Mexican agave spirit has so much to offer, whether it’s drunk neat, mixed in a cocktail or paired with food. This distinctive, smoky spirit also makes an excellent conversation starter, from hosting at home and serving it up to friends to being out and ordering it from people in the know.

With mezcal still making its presence known, we think it’s a good time to arm yourself with some intel and spread the good word of mezcal to the masses.

1. Mezcal isn’t the same as tequilaBoth mezcal and tequila come from Mexico, and they’re both made using the agave plant, but no, they are not the same thing. In short, tequila can only be produced using the Blue Weber agave plant in Mexico’s region of Jalisco (where the town of Tequila is located). Meanwhile, mezcal can be made from any agave species and, although not limited to a certain region, over 70% of mezcal is made in the region of Oaxaca.
2. Mezcal’s ancient heritage dates back to the AztecsThe word ‘mezcal’ comes from the Aztec ‘Mexcalli’, which is a combination of the ancient civilisation’s word for agave (metl) and cooked (ixcalli). There are plenty of stories laying claim to mezcal’s origin, but it’s often referred to as the ‘Elixir of the Gods’ because a lightning bolt is said to have struck an agave plant and cooked the heart inside, which produced the first mezcal. Whatever you believe, drinking mezcal is considered an almost religious experience by Mexicans.
3. Mezcal tends to taste smokyWhat does mezcal taste like? It’s the flavour that really sets mezcal apart from tequila, so they are distinctly different. To make mezcal, the hearts (piñas) of the agave plant are roasted in an underground pit for days, which is what lends them a smoky, heavier quality that isn‘t so common in tequila. It‘s this smokiness that‘s made mezcal so popular, not just among Mexicans but also around the world.
4. The mezcal worm isn‘t actually a wormThat worm everyone talks about? It’s actually moth larvae. Is that worse or better? We’re not sure, but either way, it doesn’t really have much importance, other than for marketing purposes, and it won’t alter the taste in any way. No-one seems to know exactly why the larvae first appeared in the bottle, but it’s thought that perhaps the pickled larvae proved the high percentage of the spirit. Just remember that you can enjoy your mezcal without eating the ‘worm’, no matter what your friends say.
5. Mezcal pairs well with Mexican food (duh)Once you’re done sharing a few fun facts with your friends about mezcal, you can share a few fish tacos, too. Mezcal’s agave flavour and smoky notes go down a treat with anything spicy, as well as flavours like coriander and citrus, so a fish taco loaded with herbs, lime and salsa is the perfect pairing. To upgrade the experience, try making up a batch of mezcal Margaritas, which will be smokier than the original tequila-based classic. Otherwise, you might like to mix up other mezcal cocktails, like the Snake Eyes and Oaxaca Old Fashioned. It’s a combo that’s stood the test of time – just like mezcal.
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Authour image
Mitch Parker Mitch Parker is Melbourne-based writer, editor and advocate for always sitting at the bar.
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