I Need to Know: What’s the Difference Between Mezcal & Tequila?

Mezcal and tequila are often used interchangeably for cocktails (I’ll take two smoky mezcal margaritas, please), but the truth is that they’re two very different Mexican spirits. Ever heard the saying, “All squares are rectangles, but not all rectangles are squares.” For starters, tequila is a type of mezcal, but mezcal is not a type of tequila. “The key differentiator is that while mezcal can be made from many varieties of agave, tequila can only be made from one: blue agave,” explains Autumn Chiklis, co-founder of The Pink Pig Tequila. Ahead, we break down the key differences between these two spirits.

Where They’re Made

Beyond the varieties of agave used to make mezcal and tequila, the two are produced in different parts of Mexico. According to Chiklis, there are nine regions throughout Mexico where mezcal can be produced (the most popular region being Oaxaca) and only five where tequila can be produced (the most well-known being Jalisco, where the actual town of Tequila is located).

How They’re Made

Tequila and mezcal are produced in completely different ways, which largely contributes to the distinct flavor profiles of these two agave-based spirits. But first, a quick lesson in botany: Both tequila and mezcal are made with piña, which is the word used to describe the core of the agave plant (piña translates to pineapple in Spanish and the center of the agave plant looks like a pineapple).

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Here’s where the two diverge: tequila is made by cooking piña in ovens, then shredding and fermenting it before distilling it in copper pots. Mezcal, on the other hand, is made by cooking the piña inside an underground pit that’s lined with a combination of volcanic rocks, wood, and charcoal, says Chiklis. And instead of using copper pots, mezcal is distilled in clay pots.

Once distilled, both tequila and mezcal are typically aged in oak barrels anywhere from a couple of months to years and years and years. “Both tequila and mezcal, when aged for two months and up to twelve months, are categorized as reposado. If they are aged longer than that, typically one to four years, they fall under the añejo category,” explains Chiklis. If they’re not aged at all, they’re considered “blanco.” Blanco, which is clear rather than tinged yellow or brown, is the type of mezcal you’re most likely to encounter in the States, and the kind of tequila most often used in margaritas.

What Do They Taste Like?

We’ve already talked about the fact that agave is cooked in two distinct ways to make mezcal and tequila. So how does that affect the end flavor? The smoke swirling in the air in the pit gives mezcal its signature smoky depth. “If you grill a chicken breast versus if you boil a chicken breast, the flavor is going to be much different,” explains James Simpson, beverage director of Espita Mezcaleria, comparing the two cooking processes. Beyond the smokiness, Simpson says mezcal has an earthy quality with deep, caramelized flavors.

To really evaluate both tequila and mezcal, Simpson recommends serving them at room temperature in a wide glass (like a clay copita) so that you can appreciate both their aroma and flavor.

But Wait…Why Is Tequila So Much More Popular?

In the last five years or so, mezcal has become more popular as a spirit, but historically, tequila has been a staple of the American bar scene. “Tequila has gone down a more industrial path. It went through a huge growth that mezcal never has,” says Simpson. “When we talk about tequila, we’re really talking about one type of mezcal that has gotten a lot of money and experienced a huge boom in the U.S.,” adds Simspon. Celebrity-backed tequila brands like Kendall Jenner’s 818 Tequila, George Clooney’s Casamigos, and Nick Jonas’s Villa One have certainly helped boost enthusiasm for the spirit. Mezcal, on the other hand, is quirkier and often made in much smaller batches, meaning it translates less well to mass production.

Mezcal Michelada

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You won’t always find mezcal in this classic Mexican cocktail—but you’ll be so glad when you do.

Mezcal Amaro Cocktail

This delicious, herbal cocktail pairs Sombra mezcal with Averna amaro—an Italian digestif. To balance some of the intensity of the two liqueurs, recipe developer Samantha Weiss Hills added grapefruit juice, lime juice, and ginger beer.

Roasted Strawberry Margarita

Roasted strawberry purée transforms this mezcal-based margarita into a complex, slightly sweet, slightly smoky drink that we’re sure to sip on repeat all summer long.

Margarita

We can’t talk about tequila without sharing our favorite recipe for a margarita. It calls for a classic combination of tequila, Cointreau, fresh lime juice, and agave syrup—plus salt and lime wedges for a garnish. As for what type of tequila to use, we recommend a smooth reposado (lightly aged), such as Cazadores Reposado. It doesn’t pack too much of a punch and balances well with the rest of the flavors in the drink.

Tequila Manhattan

Move aside, whiskey, and make room for tequila. We had a little (okay, a lot) of fun changing up the recipe for this timeless cocktail by swapping an Añejo tequila in place of the usual whiskey and incorporating mole bitters.

Tequila Old Fashioned

Once again, we said goodbye to whiskey and gave a great big hello to tequila in this delicious twist on an old fashioned drink. Tequila still contains plenty of warm, sweet flavors like vanilla and caramel so you’ll get to enjoy all the cozy feels.