Cheers to Your Health – Discover the Healthiest Alcoholic Tipple for Every Occasion!

Mezcal is tequila’s cooler, trendier cousin. Although both liquors are derived from the agave plant, that’s where their relationship ends. For the health and wellness conscious, mezcal may even be a cleaner sip.

Here’s everything you need to know about the south-of-the-border liquor the cool kids are drinking.

Mezcal

Mezcal is small-batch, smoky and complex tasting liquor hailing from Mexico. Like tequila, mezcal is distilled from the agave plant. Unlike tequila, which is distilled from only the blue agave, mezcal can be distilled from more than 30 varieties of agave, including the blue agave.

Mezcal and tequila come from different regions of Mexico as well. About 80 percent of mezcals are made in Oaxaca, but can come from eight other regions throughout the country. Tequila is made in only five specific regions in Mexico.

For purists, mezcal is cleaner than tequila.

According to the Tequila Regulatory Council, tequila must be made with at least 51 percent blue agave sugars and 49 percent sugars from other sources, which may include not-so-delicious fillers such as corn and grains. On the other hand, by law mezcal must contain 100 percent agave, leaving no room for anything artificial.

Sip responsibly, not just in alcohol consumption, but also in choosing what to drink. Mezcal can be considered cleaner and more pure than tequila, especially if the later is mixed with artificial sugar and way to many margarita mixers. When it comes to health, wellness, and alcohol, consider balance and sip in moderation – mezcal included.

Mezcal can be added to cocktails with fresh herbs and lemon or turned into a spritzer with kombucha, but due to its complex flavor profile, the spirit is best sipped on its own.

It should be something you share and drink with somebody else, not something you rush through. Traditionally it is served straight and at room temperature. Mezcal tends to be on the drier side, it is a good aperitif. It also works really well with Mexican food, too, so it’s great to order with your appetizer or salad.

Sipped and savored, with a little smoke. Cheers!

At Fit Democracy we subscribe to the motto that our food should be our medicine and our medicine should be our food. To serve you and our community we always include a few recipes in the nutrition section of our magazine (subscribe for your free copy here).