Tequila Made Me Do It: 60 tantalising tequila and mezcal cocktails. Ruby Taylor
El Bandito
Grilled Pineapple & Mint Tequila Lemonade
It only took one sip, and the world was smitten. Mexico, the land that not only gave us mariachis, chocolate, chilaquiles and chapulines, also gave the world the gift of agave. Most people have heard of tequila, but mezcal and bacanora are also among the now Protected Designations of Origin that exist within the Mexican territory. With a history spanning over 400 years, agave spirits, once an obscure category within the realm of alcohol, have now become the talk of the town in a globalised world thirsty for adventure and craft.
For decades, people have associated tequila with a raucous weekend in Cabo, and mezcal with a creepy crawler at the bottom of the bottle. These associations created an unpopular image of agave spirits that did a huge disservice to the intricate process and sophistication behind the distillation of the agave plant. Today, thanks to an increased awareness of the individuality and craft behind the products we consume, the world has embarked on a journey through Mexico and its spirits. Tequila and mezcal have fought an arduous battle to gain the recognition they now have from some of the top bartenders and drinks experts around the world. These spirits take us back to the traditional roots and folklore of Mexican culture. Beyond simply becoming a trend, they have managed to maintain their traditional character and to establish themselves as a distinct and respected category within the world of spirits.
From the Classic Margarita (see here) to the Disco & Vine (see here), tequila and mezcal shine from centre stage in both classic staples and innovative creations garnered from swanky cocktail bars and old-school cantinas across the globe. Sipped neat, paired with a playful Sangrita (see here) or shaken in a classic cocktail, the character and notes of agave, ranging from fruity and vegetal to spicy and floral, will captivate even the most sceptical drinker. It can be intimidating to venture into a seemingly foreign world of drinks that has the added stigma of being shot back with lime and salt. However, once you take the plunge into the world of agave, you will find the complexity and superiority that reigns behind every sip. Tequila Made Me Do It invites you to let go, relax and enjoy a journey through Mexico, along the shimmering Pacific Acapulco Riviera, through the buzzing rush of Mexico City streets, all the way to a sea of blue agave fields in the highlands of Jalisco. With a Margarita in one hand and this book in the other, take a sip, sit back and enjoy the ride.
THE LEGEND OF MAYAHUEL
Mayahuel was the goddess of maguey, the agave plant family, within the Nahuatl creation story. Legend says that she was one of the tzitzimime, or spirits, that lived as stars in the sky, alongside her grandmother Tzitzimitl (Celestial Demon of Darkness that blocks the sun from shining). It was said that when Earth was created and the gods gave men all the crops and sustenance they needed, they realised that it was simply not enough. Something was missing that would create joy in their hearts and spark their passions.
It was then that Quetzalcoatl (God of the Wind and Feathered Serpent) searched the heavens for Mayahuel, to return her to Earth to find a solution for making men happy. After escaping from her guardian grandmother, the goddess Mayahuel and Quetzalcoatl fell in love on their way back to Earth. When her grandmother