Tequila & Mezcal ~ The Healthier Spirits & Andrea's Magical Journey

Did you know that the two healthiest spirits to enjoy (in moderation) are good quality Tequila and Mezcal?

Choose wisely to avoid Hangovers
Hangovers aren’t solely alcohol-related. Alcohol’s sugars will often dehydrate us, bringing severe headaches and overall ill feelings.  However Tequila and Mezcal are both manufactured from agave, which is considered a healthier, natural sugar than refined, white sugar.  And when they're consumed by themselves, without sugary juices and mixes, they're relatively low in sugar and calories. Be sure to choose Tequilas with 100% agave. Many tequilas on the market only utilize 51% agave so they can legally be labeled “tequila”. The other 49% are cheap sugars.

When I sip Tequila and Mezcal, my mood is elevated and I feel happy-tipsy!  Whereas I find whiskey, gin, & vodka and even some bolder, red wines more oppressive, and sometimes depressive!  Mind you, I am not a shooter, and prefer sipping on finer, or at least middle ground $45-$65 Tequilas and Mezcals.

To avoid a hangover, consume 100% agave Tequilas & Mezcals. Don’t combine them with sugary drinks. 100% tequila alone or with low-sugar mixers will do.

Andrea's Tequilas
My affordable Tequila preferences are Don Julio Anejo, Patron Silver, and any of the Casamigas; Blanco, Reposado or Anejo.  Casamigos has a distinctive caramel flavor, which becomes stronger the longer it's aged in Oak barrels.  It's lovely mixed with grapefruit juice because the caramel balances out the bitterness of the grapefruit.

Andrea on Mezcal

"As per legends, Mezcal was initially made when a lightning bolt struck an agave plant, opening and cooking it." (Creyente)

Mezcal's production is still very traditional, with recipes passed down through generations and produced without electricity. I purchased it directly from my favorite producer when I visited Oaxaca, which was tucked into very small closet along a cobbled street, with rustic wooden barrels and a simple wooden countertop. They sold pre-bottled Mezcal, and in my case poured directly from barrels into the plastic bottles I'd been saving up in order to smuggle them back to the states in my suitcase.  I decanted them into distinctive ball topped bottles, commonly found in Oaxaca immediately when I arrived back in the states.

Since I've lived in the south, my affordable and newly discovered Mezcal preference is Creyente, with 100% Espadin Agave, running in the $50-$65 range depending on where you buy it. I don't find the selection here that I had in California, but find Cryente a smooth and delicious sipper.. with fruity notes and a perfectly balanced, sweet flavor and nose. It also makes a wonderful, smoky margarita, though I often use it as an accent with tequila, as the smoke carries well with just a bit.  My preferred ratio is 1-1/2 to 1/2 oz. Tequila/Mezcal, but using more, or all Mezcal isn't a bad thing. *.*

"According to the Beverage Testing Institute of Chicago in Illinois, Mezcal is the purest distillate or alcohol that exists on the planet and the noblest with the human body.

This characteristic comes from its chemical composition. While other beverages are converted into monosaccharide sugars that our liver must process and eliminate, producing the unpleasant effect known as hangover; Mezcal is transformed into a polysaccharide sugar, which, as soon as it comes in contact with the mouth, begins to disintegrate, making its transformation in the body much faster and with fewer side effects."

Some years ago, while exploring little known region of Oaxaca, Mexico called Teotitlán del Valle, I spent a few days hanging out with a  group of local, indigenous peoples. Not one of them spoke English, and some knew little Spanish.. Yet somehow we were able to converse and enjoy one another’s company. It was with these lovely peoples that I trekked into a Magical, almost otherworldly experience as we shared this ritualistic, liquid vehicle.

Fried Grasshoppers are sold in the streets of Oaxaca, in small, medium and large sizes.  They are flavored with lime and chilis and munched, along with orange slices when sipping Mezcal.. as opposed to limes which are commonly served with Tequila. They're quite delicious!

Where Tequila is made by steaming and distilling Blue Weber Agave,  Mezcal is roasted or smoked and distilled using Espadín Agave, lending it’s distinctive, smoky flavor. My margarita recipe, and many artisan bars will float a small amount of Mezcal onto cocktails to bring in that smoke!

The first comment I get when discussing Mezcal with those not in "the know", is "Ewww..do you eat the worm?". The answer is NO, not all Mezcal have a Worm!  A worm is added to some, cheaper Mezcals by producers to add a gritty flavor that some people enjoy.  I prefer smoother Mezcals, with Creyente being my favorite to-date.

Read more here to learn more Tequila & Mezcal.
And Is Tequila Healthy?

Salud & Cheers to Your Health!