Tequila is a world-renowned adult beverage that ranges from light and sweet to dark and rich. Whether you always have a bottle on hand or only drink it during happy hour at a Mexican restaurant, you may be curious to know more about the spirit and where it originated. Here’s a rundown on its history, the types, and how it differs from mezcal.

What to Know About Tequila Before Your Next Happy Hour

What’s the history?

This famous beverage has roots in Aztec society. They created a fermented, milky liquid using sap from the agave plant and dubbed it pulque. This concoction was so valued that ancient Aztecs worshipped a god named Patecatl, who ruled over healing and fertility and was known as the lord of the root of pulque.

Its subsequent trajectory isn’t quite clear, but it’s widely believed that the Spaniards who invaded the Aztec empire in the early 1500s began to distill agave using mud. Then, in 1758, the Cuervo family began to distill tequila commercially.

What types are available?

There are five types of tequila, all of which are aged and prepared differently: 

• Blanco: Unaged and bottled within four weeks of distillation, blanco tequila has a naturally sweet and intense flavor from the blue agave that's used to make it.
• Joven: This type of tequila is slightly aged, has a light golden color, and is commonly used in restaurants and bars to make mixed drinks during happy hour.
• Reposado: Aged for 2 to 11 months in barrels of storage tanks, this spirit is gold, sweet, and woody.
• Anejo: This type of tequila is aged for at least a year, is amber in appearance, and has a smooth, complex flavor.
• Extra Anejo: Since 2006, dark, rich tequila that’s aged for more than three years has been classified as extra aged.

How do tequila and mezcal differ?

Like the square versus rectangle distinction, all tequilas are mezcals, but not every mezcal is a tequila. Tequilas are distinct because they can only be produced using blue agave, which is explicitly grown in Jalisco, Mexico, and they’re always distilled twice. Mezcals can be made from any agave plant and only need to be distilled once. Mezcal has a much smokier flavor than tequila, since the agave is cooked in a barbecue-style pit during production. 

What’s the deal with the worm? 

Tequila never comes with a worm in the bottle. However, some producers of mezcal include it. Some insist it’s purely for novelty, while others believe it imparts flavor or can be used to gauge the strength of the brew. It’s not actually a worm, but rather the larva of a moth that thrives on the agave plant. 

If you’re looking for premium tequila, visit Don Rigo. With two convenient locations in Cincinnati and Amelia, OH, the authentic Mexican restaurant is a popular choice for drinks, tasty dinners, and quick lunch breaks. They pride themselves on their affordable prices and quality ingredients, and their happy hour and Margarita Monday deals will satisfy your palate without breaking the bank. Browse their menu online, then call (513) 233-9200 to place an order in Cincinnati. Dial (513) 718-0035 to reach a staff member in Amelia.