Agave spirits are booming in the United States. Although distillers in modern-day Mexico have been making tequila and mezcal for millennia, America’s thirst for the stuff is relatively recent. Mezcal shipments to the U.S. reportedly quadrupled over the last five years, and the tequila category has grown by 121 percent since 2012.
Both tequila and mezcal are made in Mexico and feature the agave plant. There are many key differences between the two, including distillation process, region of origin, and more.
Want to learn more about the ancient spirits now starring in well-stocked bars and liquor cabinets nationwide? Check out VinePair’s infographic on the differences between mezcal and tequila.