{"id":11450,"date":"2025-04-07T06:23:51","date_gmt":"2025-04-07T05:23:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.themixer.com\/en-uk\/?p=11450"},"modified":"2025-10-07T16:18:19","modified_gmt":"2025-10-07T15:18:19","slug":"agave-spirits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.themixer.com\/en-uk\/learn\/agave-spirits\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Use Agave Syrup in Cocktails and the Best Agave-Based Drinks to Try"},"content":{"rendered":"

Agave spirits are trending, and it\u2019s not just about tequila anymore. From earthy mezcal to compelling raicilla, trendy sotol, and the desert-born bacanora, these bold bottles are popping up on menus and bars across the globe.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With their deep Mexican roots, different agave spirits bring their own distinctive character to drinks. In this article we look at the fascinating world of agave spirits, including regions and flavours. We promise you, once you start digging into their differences, it will be hard not to get obsessed.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What are agave spirits?<\/h2>\n

\"Landscape<\/p>\n

Agave spirits are a wild and wonderful category of liquor made from the agave plant and agave-adjacent species. Let\u2019s kick off with <\/span>tequila<\/span><\/b>. It\u2019s the most famous of the bunch, made specifically from blue Weber agave. You\u2019ll find it in five regions, but Jalisco is the capital of all things tequila. Tequila is usually smoother and a little sweeter than its agave cousins, which makes it an easy go-to for Margaritas and Palomas.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Also see<\/span><\/b>: <\/span>Types of Tequila (A Complete Guide to Blanco, Reposado & A\u00f1ejo)<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mezcal<\/span><\/b>, on the other hand, is tequila\u2019s smokier sister\u2014or at least, it can be. While mezcal has a reputation for bold, smoky flavour, the intensity actually varies depending on the agave used, the length of the roast, and how it\u2019s distilled. It can be made from over 40 agave species, with Espad\u00edn being the most common by far; it\u2019s the workhorse of mezcal production and accounts for the majority of what\u2019s on the market.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mezcal tends to come from Oaxaca, though states like Durango and Guerrero produce some knockout bottles too. The combination of agave variety and traditional methods, like roasting agave hearts in underground pits, creates a complex spirit with flavours that range from earthy and vegetal to fruity and gently smoky.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more<\/span><\/b>: <\/span>Mezcal vs. Tequila (Key Differences, Taste & How to Use Them)<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Then you\u2019ve got <\/span>sotol<\/span><\/b>\u2014not <\/span>technically <\/span><\/i>an agave spirit, but close enough to hang with the crew. It\u2019s made from the desert spoon plant (Dasylirion), which grows in the Chihuahuan Desert, which spans Mexico (Chihuahua, Durango, Coahuila) and the southwestern U.S. (Texas, New Mexico, Arizona). <\/span>Sotol<\/span> has this delightfully raw, almost grassy character that\u2019s hard to pin down but easy to enjoy. One of our favourite things about sotol is that the plant it comes from isn\u2019t single use like agave; it regrows, which makes it a smart choice for sustainable sipping.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Raicilla<\/span><\/b> is mezcal\u2019s quirky BF from Jalisco. It\u2019s traditionally made in the mountains or along the coast, depending on the producer, and has a totally different character from region to region. Some versions are wild and funky due to their higher ester content, while others are delicate and floral\u2014especially those from coastal regions.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And finally, <\/span>bacanora<\/span><\/b>. This one’s the outlaw-turned-hero of the group. Once banned for 77 years due to government prohibition, it\u2019s now legally produced in the state of Sonora using wild agave. Some producers have started cultivating their own agave to help protect wild populations and ensure sustainability. Expect a dry, mineral profile with hints of smoke\u2014it\u2019s bold, a little rustic, and absolutely worth tracking down.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Best agave spirits for cocktails<\/h2>\n

\"Glasses<\/p>\n

Each of these spirits brings something different to the table, and that\u2019s what makes the agave category so exciting. Here are a few rules of thumb to set you up for success behind the shaker:\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n