Mezcal is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from the agave plant (also known as the maguey plant), native to Mexico. Mezcal is traditionally made in small batches by farmers using traditional methods passed down through generations. The agave plant is roasted in an underground pit oven, then crushed and fermented with yeast and water. Mezcal is typically clear or straw-coloured, with a smoky flavour. Mezcal can be enjoyed neat or used in cocktails.
Mezcal has a long history in Mexico, dating back to the Aztec people. Mezcal was first mentioned in Spanish records in 1542, and by the early 1600s mezcal was being exported from Mexico to Europe. Mezcal fell out of favour after the Mexican War of Independence in 1810, when the new Mexican government banned the production and consumption of alcohol. Mezcal was later revived in the mid-19th century, and today it is enjoyed by people all over the world. Mezcal is an important part of Mexican culture and heritage.
Mezcal is mostly made in the region of Oaxaca, where there is a saying, "for everything bad, mezcal, and for everything good, too." Mezcal is usually consumed neat, and it can boast a marvellous variety of flavours, from floral and herbaceous, to rich and smoky, and beyond.
Mezcal is quite similar to Tequila in many respects, though they are made from different varieties of agave. Mezcal is also produced on a much smaller scale. First, the maguey plants are harvested, and the hearts (or "piñas") are extracted. These are then cooked, sometimes in open pits in the ground lined with rocks, then agave, and then earth, which can impart a distinctive smokiness. They are then crushed, mashed and fermented prior to at least two distillations.
Mezcal will rarely feature a small larva/worm in the bottle (the bottles will be labelled "con gusano" - "with worm"), which is most likely a marketing ploy invented in the mid 20th Century. Typically the Mezcal will be drunk, and the left over worm will be eaten. In Mexico the drink is enjoyed neat, though there are many cocktails to which it is suited.