National Tequila Day

A festive group of people, raising shot glasses of tequila adorned with lime and salt, wearing colorful sombreros and dancing to vibrant mariachi music at a lively Mexican fiesta.. — National tequila day illustration

Hold your margaritas up high and warm up those vocal cords for the sweet and spicy melody of 'La Cucaracha' because it's National Tequila Day! A day that's all about celebrating that liquid dynamite sure to make you the life of any party.

When is Tequila Day?

It's national tequila day on the 24th July.

The History of National Tequila Day

Tequila, known for its power to turn even the most sensible adults into party animals, now has its own a national day, dialed up on July 24th! Unsurprisingly, the internet birthed the celebration of this intoxicating elixir, and oh boy, did it ripple through cyberspace like those tequila shots through your veins.

Our handy online tracker picked up a whopping 184072 mentions! Seems like those salt-rimmed festivities really struck a chord with people everywhere. The digital tequila love reached its boozy peak on 24th July 2015. We're guessing there were a lot of sore heads the day post.

Tequila's Twisted Tale

Believe it or not, tequila has a rather rich history predating the raucous house parties and questionable dance-offs we associate it with today. Originating from the town of Tequila (yes, you heard that right) in Mexico's Jalisco region, this fiery spirit traces its ancestors back to the 16th century when distillation was introduced by Spanish settlers.

How to Celebrate National Tequila Day

Beyond starting a little earlier than socially acceptable (it’s okay, we won’t tell) there are tons of things to do on National Tequila Day. Why not try crafting some tequila cocktails at home, exploring new brands, or if you dare, indulge in a spicy tequila-infused meal? Just remember, when life hands you limes, keep calm and tequila on!

History behind the term 'Tequila'

16th century

The origins of blue agave cultivation

In the 16th century, shortly after the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in Mexico, the cultivation of the blue agave plant began. The blue agave is the key ingredient in tequila and was highly valued by the indigenous people for its multiple uses. They used the plant not only to make an alcoholic beverage but also to produce fibers for clothing and building materials.

1600s

The birth of mezcal wine

During the 1600s, the Spanish settlers in Mexico started distilling the sweet juice from the blue agave plant into an alcoholic beverage called 'mezcal wine'. This predecessor of tequila was initially consumed in small quantities due to limited production methods and the labor-intensive process it involved. Mezcal wine was often utilized for medicinal purposes as well.

1758

The establishment of the first tequila distillery

In 1758, the Cuervo family, one of the most well-known tequila-producing families today, founded the first distillery in the town of Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico. Don José Antonio de Cuervo was granted a land grant by the King of Spain to cultivate agave and produce mezcal wine. This marked a significant turning point in the history of tequila, as it laid the foundation for the commercial production of the spirit.

1812

The emergence of the 'tequila' name

In 1812, the word 'tequila' was officially coined. The name 'tequila' comes from the Nahuatl language, spoken by the indigenous people of central Mexico. Tequila was named after a small town, Tequila, where the spirit originated from. The word 'tequila' means 'the place of harvesting plants' in Nahuatl, reflecting the importance of the blue agave plant in the region's cultural and economic heritage.

1873

The introduction of steam ovens for agave cooking

In 1873, the invention of steam ovens revolutionized the process of cooking agave plants. Previously, agave piñas (hearts) were slow-cooked in traditional stone or brick ovens, requiring a significant amount of time and labor. The introduction of steam ovens drastically reduced the cooking time, increasing the efficiency and productivity of tequila production.

1944

The establishment of the Tequila Regulatory Council

In 1944, the Mexican government created the 'Tequila Regulatory Council' to protect and regulate the production of tequila. This organization ensures that tequila is made only from blue agave and follows the specific production standards set forth for the spirit. The Council's establishment helped safeguard the quality and authenticity of tequila, further solidifying its cultural significance.

Did you know?

Did you know that true tequila can only be called so if it's produced in the Tequila region of Mexico? Anything else is just an imposter wearing tequila’s Sombrero hat.