Mezcal vs. Tequila: What’s the Difference and Which Should I Drink?

You might have seen (or even tried) swapping mezcal into your favourite tequila-based cocktails. The smoky, vegetal, and herbaceous spirit adds a unique edge to classic drinks like the Margarita, Paloma, and Old Fashioned, and it’s likely featured on a cocktail menu at your favourite bar. But what exactly is the difference – and which should you be drinking or buying?

What Are the Differences Between Tequila and Mezcal?

Both are agave-based spirits, distilled from the fermented juice of the agave plant, specifically from the central core of the mature plant, called the piña.

To be labelled as tequila, it must be made in one of five areas of Mexico – Jalisco, Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit, or Tamaulipas – and be distilled from only one species of agave: Blue Weber Agave. This agave is slowly steamed in brick ovens or pressurised steam ovens (called autoclaves) to release the native aromas of the agave.

To be labelled as mezcal, it must be made in one of nine areas of Mexico – Oaxaca, Guerrero, Michoacán, Puebla, Durango, San Luís Potosí, Zacatecas, Guanajuato, and Tamaulipas – and is typically distilled from more than 30 different varieties of agave, each with slightly different nuances depending on where it was grown.

In mezcal production, the traditional method, especially in the state of Oaxaca, where most mezcal is produced, involves roasting the piñas in stone-lined pits. This gives mezcal its signature smoky aroma. However, keep in mind: not all mezcal is smoky!

What Do Tequila and Mezcal Taste Like?

In terms of flavour, tequila tends to be more agave-forward, with a smoother, sweeter profile often accented by hints of citrus, pepper, and vanilla. Mezcal, on the other hand, is known for its smoky, herbal character, imbued with fruity, floral, and earthy notes.

Traditionally, tequila is paired with Sangrita (a spicy tomato-based chaser), and mezcal is often paired with orange slices and Sal de Gusano (that’s worm salt to us!).

Both spirits are delicious, and there are lots to choose from, so here are some standout options to get you started!

Tapatio Blanco Tequila

Handcrafted in Tapatio by a family-owned distillery, forget the throat-burning shots you are used to and embark on this smooth profile of citrus and white pepper. Located in the mountainous region of Jalisco, Mexico – known for growing the best Blue Agave – the Tapatio brand has been making tequila since 1937, with a lineage of tequila distillers dating back to the 1800s.

Tapatio Blanco is rested in stainless steel tanks for two months, giving the overall effect of a smooth yet spicy pepper expression. With a touch of sweetness, expect notes of vanilla, apple, and cooked agave with an earthy and oaky finish.

Size: 500 ml 
ABV: 40%
Find Here: £28.25

Cazcabel

Nestled in the highlands of the Jalisco Mountains lies the Cazcabel Distillery, an area surrounded by natural water springs and vast agave fields. This independent, family-owned distillery is run by the Vázquez family, who have mastered the art of crafting premium tequila. Fermented in steel tanks for 10 days and then distilled in traditional copper pots, the spirit is chill-filtered to remove impurities, resulting in an incredibly smooth and balanced flavour.

Whether you're after a traditional Tequila Blanco or Reposado, or prefer a flavourful twist like coffee, honey, or coconut tequila, you’ll likely find Cazcabel on the shelves of your local bar. It’s perfect for cocktails – or as a delicious shot to share with friends!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 38%
Find Here: £29.95

El Rayo Tequila Plata

El Rayo Tequila Plata is a clean, zesty tequila crafted for cocktails and effortless mixing. Rooted in Mexican folklore, the bottle’s name recalls the myth of a lightning bolt – El Rayo – splitting the sky and striking the Blue Agave plant. A curious campesino, drawn by the distant glow, discovered the roasted heart of the agave. From fire and folklore, tequila was born.

Made with 100% agave and a dash of spring water, this bottle offers a bright and peppery profile, with hints of pineapple and wildflowers.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find Here: £37.25

ArteNOM Seleccion de 1579 Blanco Tequila

This tequila is made by slow-roasting 100% blue weber agave in brick ovens and then fermenting in steel tanks with local rainwater. Bright and complex with an oily texture, this tequila is well-rounded with aromas of mint, roasted agave, and a creamy tropical note reminiscent of ripe mango. These flavours linger softly, complemented by sweet, clean layers of toffee and a warm hint of cinnamon and brioche.

Size: 700ml  
ABV: 40.7%
Find Here: £62.95

Mezcal Amaras Verde

Dipping your toe into the world of mezcal? This bottle is the perfect entry point. Crafted artisanally from Espadín agave, it delivers a smooth, smoky, and vegetal expression – made using natural and sustainable methods. For every agave harvested, the brand replants ten more, and 20% of net profits are given to ecological and social sustainability programs.

Mezcal Verde is a project made with love, featuring unique labels designed by contemporary Mexican artists. Cooked using a blend of three woods – ocote, red oak, and pepper tree – this mezcal offers a complex yet balanced profile with notes of smoked candied fruit, jasmine, pine, and fresh herbs.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 42%
Find Here: £40.50

Pensador Ensamble Mezcal Joven

This bottle is made with a small batch of mezcal coming from Southern Oaxaca. This is a blend of Espadin and Madrecuishe agaves, which offers sweet, caramel, custard-like aromas on the nose yet is clean and grassy on the palate. An easy drinker, this is smoky, smooth, and velvety.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 48%
Find Here: £42.75 

Montelobos Espadin Joven Mezcal

Montelobos Mezcal was created by agave specialist Iván Saldaña, PhD in Botany, and fifth-generation mezcalero Don Abel López Mateos. Their vision was to craft a mezcal that reveals something new with every sip. Produced in small batches using organic agave, Montelobos is roasted underground in traditional pits, resulting in a complex and harmonious blend of flavours. Smoky, sweet, and vegetal notes come together beautifully, offering aromas of fresh-cut grass, ripe tomato, damp earth, and ash – perfect in a smoky margarita.

Size: 700ml                                                   
ABV: 43.2%
Find Here: £54.50

Del Maguey Chichicapa Mezcal

If you are a fan of peaty whiskies, this is one to try! Del Maguey may very well be one of the most well-known mezcals on the international market. Founded in 1995 by artist and mezcal visionary Ron Cooper, the brand was born from deep cultural relationships with Zapotec Mexican producers. Del Maguey is known for merging ancient artisanal practices with organic, sustainable methods.

Deep and sweet on the tongue, Chichicapa is lithe and elegant on the palate. The nose offers aromas of citrus, butter, slight smoke, and a subtle salinity, while the finish brings notes of chocolate and mint.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 48%
Find Here: £78.95

So, whether you prefer the crisp, smooth notes of tequila or the smoky and savoury complexity of mezcal, both spirits offer a rich taste of Mexican tradition. Explore both, experiment with cocktails, and let your palate decide which one deserves a place in your glass.

If you’d like to see more from Adele including the best Cognac to try and why Vermouth should be on your radar, make sure you click here!

Ten Mezcals Perfect for Sipping

Let’s talk about Mezcal - the world's fastest growing spirit! One of Mexico’s most epic exports! A spirit drenched in history, ancestry and rich, deep culture! Mezcal is more than just a spirit in Oaxaca, Mexico (where about 80% of the stuff is made), it’s a way of life. Bottles of Mezcal grace every dinner table at every family gathering; it flows freely in restaurants and even sits as an offering on the intricate altars that honour lost loved ones every year during Dia De Los Muertos. 

For only a few years now, Mezcal has been drip-fed to the western world. As the collection of expressions, agave styles and regions has fallen into the hands of bartenders, so has expanded the diverse array of cocktails sprouting up in the world’s most high end joints every other day. However, what do the master distillers behind Mezcal brands think about these mixological delights? Well, it is not an uncommon answer to receive something along the lines of: “I like the cocktail. I’d rather just drink the Mezcal.” 

Great Mezcal should be ‘sipped with kisses’, just like one might enjoy a fine single malt - no lime and salt in sight! Mezcal is traditionally served at room temperature, and when enjoyed the right way, might open your mind to the huge variety of spirit styles that can be created from the over forty agave species that are distilled into Mezcal! Most - but not all - Mezcal have a smoky, vegetal and herbaceous quality, but the final product comes down to the style, agave species, region and choices made by the distiller, or Maestro Mezcalero. 

There’s a Mezcal for every occasion. We’ve collected ten Mezcals perfect for sipping. Sit back, relax, and delight in the wonders of the ancestral agave spirits of Mexico.

Quiquiriqui Espadin

Handcrafted and made to order, Quiquiriqui (try saying that three times fast) is a shining, affordable example of what family run, artisanal Mezcal has to offer. Espadin is the most common agave variety to be found in Mezcal, and offers vegetal, woody and peppery notes to the final product. The fibres of the plant are cooked in huge stone pits and then crushed with a Tohana - a huge stone wheel - which is then fermented and distilled. What we’re trying to say is, Mezcal takes an incredible amount of work, attention to detail and effort, and Quiquiriqui provides a fantastic place to start on your Mezcal neat sipping journey.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 45%
Find here: £36

Lost Explorer Espadin

The Lost Explorer harnesses the power of travelling through alcohol. When you sip the gently smoky liquid from Oaxaca, you are transported, at least in part, to the place and time that it was made. With Mezcal, the flavour emerges from the soil, the terroir and biodiversity of the region, not to mention the eight years it takes for Espadin agave to reach the required maturity to make Lost Explorer Mezcal. Lost Explorer helps promote biodiversity by planting three new wild agave for each plant they harvest.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 42%
Find here: £62.65

Koch Tepeztate

Tepeztate Agave takes a whole 15 years to reach maturity. That’s 15 whole years before Koch can even begin to cook, ferment and distil the heart of the plant to make their deliciously herbaceous and floral Mezcal. Hailing from the region of San Baltazar Guelavila in Oaxaca, Koch El Mezcal considers their liquid offering to be an art form, and when one considers the historic value of Mezcal, it’s hard to disagree with them. Enjoy sipping this agave spirit knowing that those that create them are dedicated to the survival of the niche agave plants they use, and the biodiversity of the soil in which it grows. Densely smoky, oaky and brimming with herbaceousness. 

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46.8%
Find here: £52.91

Picaflor Espadin

A celebration of the Hummingbirds role in the pollination of Agave Espadin, Picaflor exclusively uses this agave varietal. Distilled in copper pot stills and completely unaged, this Mezcal offers everything and more that one may want from a Oaxacan Espadin. Expect mild smoke, tropical fruits and citrus. Picaflor operate with a “hand to hand” philosophy, meaning the bottle travels from producer, to distributor, to consumer with as little alteration as possible. What you find in and on this bottle is as you’ll find it in the San Luis Del Rio region of Oaxaca, Mexico.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 42.9%
Find here: £40.81

Don Amado Mezcal Rustico

Distilled in Oaxacas highlands, Don Amado is crafted by the Arellanes family, who have been producing Mezcal for well over 300 years. This Mezcal is steeped in tradition and boasts a generational craftsmanship that makes this both complex and approachable. This particularly ashy, nutty Mezcal is fantastic served neat. The Agave Espadin is slowly roasted in firewood embers and distilled in traditional clay pot stills. They’re notoriously difficult to maintain, and make some of the finest spirits one will ever come across.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 47%
Find here: £64.49

Mina Mezcal Blanco

Mina really sets itself apart from other Mezcal by way of its production method. A truly sustainable product, Mina is cooked in a brick kiln that doesn’t require any firewood to fuel, and yet still boasts pronounced smoke and vegetal, earthy aromas. A true triumph of both modern and traditional techniques makes this Mezcal a unique sipping experience, but also provides a real ethical choice. Despite being bottled at 46%, this Mezcal is smooth, lightly citrusy with a chocolate finish. 

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find here: £45.49

Casamigos Mezcal

You’ll find most Mezcal comes from a long line of family-run distilleries, producing the finest of liquids using traditional techniques passed down through the bloodline. Casamigos is a 5th generation Mezcal, and the agave cooks for a whole 6 days in a pit of volcanic rock making for a particularly smoky, peppery flavour profile. Celebrity inclusion is a source of controversy in the world of agave spirits, but George Clooney’s faith in this distillery has proven not only profitable, but propelled a fantastic family led Mezcal into the global market. 

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £62.45

Del Maguey Vida De Meurtas

Produced in the small single village in the beautiful town of San Luis Del Rio, this limited bottling celebrates the ancestral traditions of Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) and is dense with rich berry notes, spice and red chilli. In their own words - “A perfect choice for those who wish to explore a mezcal that unites tradition with moments of reflection and festivities” - we couldn’t agree more! Celebrate the life of the dead today with this delicious sipper. 

Size: 700ml
ABV: 45%
Find here: £48.31

Sin Gusano Espadilla and Papalome

With different agave varieties comes endlessly unique expressions of Mezcal, this blend is mostly Espadilla Agave, but also uses 10% Papaolome in the roasting and fermentation. It has that complex quality one tends to get from traditionally clay pot distilled Mezcal, and, fascinatingly, the distilled spirit is condensed down in a hollowed out tree trunk before being bottled for your sipping enjoyment! Expect a delightfully mellow, minerally spirit with chocolate and citrus peels. 

Size: 500ml
ABV: 45.8%
Find here: £50.59

Dangerous Don Joven

This award winning Artisanal Mezcal has one goal in mind - bringing people together! Mezcal is a communal experience in Oaxaca, something to be enjoyed with those you love, and Dangerous Don provides the perfect vessel for an evening with those who mean the most to you. In a male dominated industry, Dangerous Don is proudly female run and owned, and has a commitment to supporting the family led traditions of Mezcal. Richly aromatic, smoky and vegetal.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 45%
Find here: £49

You’ve learnt a lot about sipping Mezcal, now, what to mix it with? Why not check out these Six Stunning Margarita Variations.

By Miley Kendrick

Six Stunning Margarita Variations

A timeless classic, the Margarita is synonymous with summer fiestas and cocktail bars the world over. As many classics are, the Margarita of old is a perfect recipe, combining flavours of tequila, lime, cointreau and salt. They can be frozen, shaken, stirred, spicy, smokey and just about anything you can set your mind to. If cocktails are art, then margaritas are the canvas.

Agave drinks are so ancient, they can be dated back to 300 AD! Back then, they were a ritual drink, as were most fermented drinks of the time, but these are stories for another time. Tequila reared its world-changing head over a thousand years later, and it is the Margarita that took tequila global in the mid 20th century, cementing its place in drinks history, and onto the menu of every restaurant, dive bar and high end cocktail bar. 

In 2023, I won the UK El Recuerdo Mezcal Competition with a Margarita twist, so I know a thing or two about the Marg. Here is the winning cocktail, and below it, five more tasty twists on the Margarita that you can easily try at home.

What’s up, Guac?

Some of the worlds’ most interesting cocktails take inspiration from culinary staples and this delightfully balanced take on a classic Marg does just that. Guacamole is a staple food in Mexico, where all Tequila and Mezcal is made. This drink takes the flavours of Mexico's most famous mole - cilantro, basil and cucumber - to make a devilishly refreshing summer cocktail.

Ingredients: 
60ml or 2oz Mezcal (El Recuerdo)
25ml or 0.75oz Lime
25ml or 0.75oz Cilantro Syrup
10ml or 0.25oz Agave Syrup 
Bar Spoon of Mexican Jalapeno Chilli Salsa (Habanero Tabasco works if you don’t have a local chilli shop)

Method:
Throw all the ingredients into a shaker, strain into a coupe glass (or whatever you like to sip your Margaritas from) and garnish with your prettiest edible flowers

TOP TIP: Don’t be scared, the syrup is so simple, no mixology required, simply throw the following ingredients into a blender, sieve the pulp out and you’ll be ready to go! 

25g Coriander
15g Basil 
50g Cucumber
100g Sugar
100g Water

Now that you know we mean business, here are five more stunning Margarita variations…

The Best Margarita for Spice Lovers: El Pepino (Spicy Margarita)

The ‘El Pepino’ (Spanish for ‘The Cucumber’) is a modern classic that has captured the imagination of bartenders all over. It’s rare that a twist on a classic comes along and so quickly becomes a staple in the bar scene. Fresh ingredients are the key to the El Pepino, cucumber and jalapenos directly in the cocktail shaker. No need to muddle, just shake hard! This refreshing, spicy and salty concoction will be a hit at your next summer fiesta!

Ingredients: 
50ml or 1.5oz Tequila
25ml or 0.75oz Lime Juice
15ml or 0.5oz Agave Syrup
2 Cucumber slices
Fresh Jalapeno (start small, scale up to preferred spice level)

Method:
Add ingredients into cocktail shaker, shake, strain over ice in a rocks glass. If you’re feeling fancy, rim the tajin for extra effect. Use the leftover pressed limes to wet the glass rim and sprinkle the tajin around the intended area.

The Best Margarita for Floral Lovers: Santa Muerta

From the mind of cocktail wizard and mixologist, Calum Anderson, this simple margarita variation is a bouquet of flavours. Equally sweet and sour with a fresh, fragrant floral nose and a simple ingredient list that can be picked up from any supermarket! You can buy yourself flowers, but I bet you’d rather have one of these… 

Ingredients:
35ml or 1oz Tequila
15ml or 0.5oz Violet Liqueur
25ml or .75oz Elderflower Cordial
25ml or .75oz Lime Juice
25ml or .75oz Apple Juice

Method:
Add ingredients in cocktail shaker, shake, strain over cubed ice, garnish with edible flowers.

The Best Margarita for the Coffee Obsessive: Muerto Bali Hai

Taking a legendary Tiki drink and colliding it with a Margarita sounds like a recipe for disaster or a delicious miracle. The Muerta Bali Hai is the latter. It might sound obscure, but the tropical combination of coffee, pineapple, lemon and tequila come together to create an indulgent drink that will delight coffee and tiki lovers alike. If you enjoy unique drinks, this is certainly one for you.

Ingredients: 
50ml or 1.5oz Tequila
15ml or 0.5oz Kahlua
25ml or 0.75oz Lemon Juice
50ml or 1.5oz Pineapple Juice
15ml or 0.5oz Agave Syrup

Method:
Add ingredients in a shaker, shake, strain over ice in a hi-ball glass. Garnish with pineapple leaves for that cheeky tiki look.

The Best Margarita for Summer Time: Frozen Coconut Mangorita

Sipping frozen margs on a hot summer day is the perfect way to enjoy tequila, however, the addition of mango builds on this perfection, adding a bright tartness that balances with the sweetness of coconut cream leaving you wanting more. Don’t be scared by the blender, it’s super easy to whip up multiple mangoritas at once just by doubling the measurements and throwing it all in the blender cup. This cocktail is bound to impress guests and not leave you wasting valuable party time by mixing complicated drinks.

Ingredients:
50ml or 1.5oz Tequila
25ml or 0.75oz Lime Juice
25ml  or 0.75oz Cointreau
15ml or 0.5oz Coconut Cream 
70g or ½ a Mango

Method:
Throw the ingredients into a blender with a scoop of crushed ice and blitz until silky smooth. 

TOP TIP: If you don’t have crushed ice, beat some cubed ice in a plastic bag with a rolling pin until you DO have crushed ice.

The Best Margarita for the Smoky Lovers: Mezcalita

Mezcal is the fastest growing spirit in the world, with more and more punters turning to the ancient agave spirit as their base for the Margarita. It may be the most simple drink on this list, but if you haven’t tried Mezcal before, this is the perfect introduction to one of the oldest and most unique spirits in the world.  

Ingredients:
50ml or 1.5oz Mezcal
25ml or 0.75oz Lime Juice
15ml or 0.5oz Agave Syrup

Method:
Add ingredients in a cocktail shaker, shake, strain over ice in a rocks glass.

For those, like me who can’t get enough of the Margarita, follow this link for More Stunning Margarita Variations…

By Miley Kendrick