How Long Does Mezcal Last, Opened And Unopened? (2024)

FAQs

How do you store mezcal after opening? ›

An open bottle of mezcal should also be kept in a cool, dry, dark place. Make sure the lid is on tightly, and you should be able to drink the mezcal for years to come. Of course, as time goes on, the spirit will lose some of its intense flavors.

While you can get tasty aged mezcal, it generally doesn't improve with time in oak the way whiskey does. Aging robs the spirit of its vegetal bite and other savory complexities that make it so fascinating to drink. Fortunately, this is an easy one to spot-check. If a mezcal is clear, it hasn't been aged.

Joven, Reposado, and Añejo

Joven, or "young," mezcal, is clear and unaged, like an eau de vie. Reposado is "rested" in oak for more than two months but less than a year. Añejo is aged for one to three years, and extra-añejo ages for longer than that.

Like most American whiskeys (especially bourbon), mezcal contains a lot of natural congeners. These compounds are essentially what give the spirit its flavor, and chilling dulls these compounds. So never keep your mezcal in the freezer or fridge, and leave the ice behind unless you're using mezcal in a co*cktail.

However, since the alcohol content of Mezcal and tequila is usually in the same range of 38% to 55% ABV, the shelf life of the two is roughly the same. Mezcal and tequila will stay deliciously enjoyable for years to come if unopened. Once opened, they both should be enjoyed within the span of a year.

The shelf life of mezcal is indefinite, but if mezcal develops an off odor, flavor or appearance, it should be discarded for quality purposes.

Previously considered the poor man's tequila, mezcal is similarly made but using a wider range of native agave plants. With its more rustic and smoky flavour, the alcoholic beverage is gaining popularity as a hip new tipple across the US and beyond.

Mezcal is stronger than tequila. Both of these drinks are pretty strong, with at least 40% ABV, but mezcal has a stronger concentration of alcohol. It measures at 55% ABV, 15% stronger than regular tequila. There are different strengths of tequila and mezcal, but the standards for each drink are 40% and 55% ABV.

This is what is known as hangover. But mezcal is made of polysaccharides. Therefore, the process of transformation is faster than with other alcohols. Since it enters in contact with the mouth, it begins to disintegrate and, therefore, it doesn't cause a hangover”.

Mezcal is made from 50 different varieties of agave, but only one type of agave plant (blue agave) makes tequila. Mezcal's signature smoky flavor comes from cooking the agave in pits in the ground, which brings a depth and smokiness you don't find in tequila.

What does mezcal do to your body? ›

Mezcal can give you a euphoric and energized feeling. Some sources point to its mild hallucinogenic properties as a primary cause for this elation. A more likely reason for this is that mezcal is pure. There aren't any additives or sweeteners, and it has zero carbs.

Tequila doesn't expire if left unopened, like the other shelf-stable spirits. But tequila can go bad. Once opened, tequila should be enjoyed within a year. That's how long tequila lasts.

Sip it neat

“The best way to drink mezcal will always be clean, in small sips similar to small kisses, always accompanied by a little water to cleanse the palate and hydrate,” Medina says. “In this way you can appreciate the different flavors and aromas of mezcal.”

Mezcal makes the stomach absorb and speed up the digestive system, which also reduces inflammation. To decrease and regulate cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood, it is recommended to drink a little of mezcal.

Yes, mezcal is healthier than tequila because it is purer and cleaner. It is considered organic since it is from the agave plant with no additives included. The sweetness of mezcals is from the ripe fruit of the agave plant. However, drinking it in moderation is still advised despite being a healthier choice.

Rub a drop of mezcal between your hands. As it evaporates you will be able to smell the aroma of cooked maguey. If it's a bad mezcal it would smell like alcohol or nothing at all.

Expired alcohol doesn't make you sick. If you drink liquor after it's been open for more than a year, you generally only risk a duller taste. Flat beer typically tastes off and may upset your stomach, whereas spoiled wine usually tastes vinegary or nutty but isn't harmful.

When stored properly in a cabinet at room temperature, your tequila will last indefinitely but you should still drink it within a few years because evaporation can happen even if the bottle is unopened. In the same manner, most popular liquors like whiskey and vodka shelf life are practically indefinite as well.

There are plenty of myths and local legends about the effects that the mezcal worm may have, but they are simply not true. If you do feel something after eating a mezcal worm it is a placebo effect. At best, you may get a little more of a buzz because the mezcal has been absorbed into the worm.

Although “The Worm” is commonly thought of as being in Tequila here in the states, in Mexico it's traditionally found in Mezcal. And, that tradition is not a tradition at all. It's more of a gimmick than a tradition. In fact, Mezcal with the worm in it is considered a sign of poor quality mezcal.

Are there bugs in mezcal? ›

A mezcal worm is an insect larva found in some types of mezcal produced in Oaxaca, Mexico. The larva is usually either a gusano rojo ("red worm") or a chinicuil ("maguey worm"), the caterpillar of the Comadia redtenbacheri moth. The red worm is typically considered tastier.

What is mezcal? Mezcal is a type of distilled alcoholic beverage made from the cooked and fermented hearts, or piñas, of agave plants ( 2 ).

The term mezcal is derived from the Nahuatl word for cooked agave, the paramount plant involved in the spirit's production. While its tall, spiky green leaves are an iconic emblem of mezcal, it's the piña, the rounded stem that resembles a pineapple, that's used to make the spirit.

Yes, mezcal is stronger than tequila. Both drinks have a high alcohol content, with an average of 40% ABV, but mezcal has a higher alcohol concentration – 55% ABV, 15% stronger than regular tequila.

The agave plant contains citronella that soothes the muscles and lowers your blood pressure. Unlike other alcoholic drink, the Mezcal does not cause inflammation. Instead, its anti-inflammatory properties help in injury healing, heart attack and other chronic inflammatory diseases.

Mezcal is a vast category of spirits made from agave and tequila is a small subset of mezcal, much like bourbon is a kind of whiskey, or Chardonnay is a kind of wine. "Basically, the way I think about it is that tequila is a kind of mezcal, but there are different kinds that are not," Block explains.

You can drink mezcal straight, but garnish it with an orange wheel sprinkled with sal de gusano to enhance the texture, flavor, and aroma of the spirit. Replace the tequila in a margarita with mezcal for a smokier, fuller-bodied version of the drink.

Since mezcal is pricier than tequila, nailing down a realistic bottle for the well can be a challenge. Generally speaking, the bartenders who make room for this spirit in their wells are willing to sacrifice some profitability with a mind toward turning on unfamiliar drinkers to this deep and rewarding category.

He goes on to explain that alcohol can irritate the lining of your intestines, which is called the epithelial layer. When this lining gets irritated it loses some of its absorptive properties. And what the body can't properly absorb, it expels.

"Clear liquors like vodka, tequila, and gin are lowest in sugar and calories and are easiest for our bodies to metabolize," Kober says.

What is the most popular mezcal? ›

Espadín agave is by far the most popular and most versatile, making up about 90% of mezcals (from affordable to high-end). Tobalá — sometimes called the “king of mezcals” — is difficult to grow, rare in the wild, and produces a complex bottle of mezcal.

Traditionally, a mezcal is any Mexican agave distillate. The word derives from the Nahuátl metl ixcalli, meaning “cooked agave.” This broad historical definition still holds for millions of people in Mexico.

Because mezcal is made from roasted agaves, it has a smoky taste that can be overpowering, a smoke bomb or very subtle, depending on the brand. The cheap mezcal that made its way to the U.S. years ago gained a reputation for tasting like gasoline or diesel fuel.

Mezcal is defined as any agave based spirit. This includes tequila, which is made in specific regions of Mexico and must be made from only blue agave (agave tequilana), whereas Mezcal can be made from a wide variety of agave.

So neat it is. But whatever you do, “don't shoot it,” says Marco Ochoa, the owner of Mezcaloteca, one of Oaxaca City's most revered mezcal bars. Instead, he recommends breathing in the aroma, just as you would with a glass of wine, before taking a small sip and swishing the liquid around in your mouth.

Sip it neat

“The best way to drink mezcal will always be clean, in small sips similar to small kisses, always accompanied by a little water to cleanse the palate and hydrate,” Medina says. “In this way you can appreciate the different flavors and aromas of mezcal.”

Keep it cool

Though some experts say the ideal range is slightly lower, between 55 and 60 degrees. Keeping them in a relatively cool place preserves them longer. As temperatures rise, the alcohol begins to expand and can evaporate more quickly.

Yes, mezcal is stronger than tequila. Both drinks have a high alcohol content, with an average of 40% ABV, but mezcal has a higher alcohol concentration – 55% ABV, 15% stronger than regular tequila.

Because mezcal is made from some 46 different species of agave (not to mention in nine different Mexican states), what you end up with as a spirit is quite diverse, flavor-wise.

The agave plant contains citronella that soothes the muscles and lowers your blood pressure. Unlike other alcoholic drink, the Mezcal does not cause inflammation. Instead, its anti-inflammatory properties help in injury healing, heart attack and other chronic inflammatory diseases.

Why is mezcal healthier? ›

“If sugar is your main concern, mezcal has the lowest sugar and calorie count when served straight without mixers.” But the moderated consumption of Mexico's prized nectar also has potential health benefits aside from the obvious decreased cortisol levels and jubilance that comes with sharing a glass with an old friend ...

Mezcal works in most classic tequila co*cktails such as margaritas or Palomas, but you can also get more inventive. We recommend trying a mezcal negroni, a margarita-esque mezcalita, or a mezcal and tonic to spice things up. But mezcal's bold flavor also makes it ripe for sipping neat or on the rocks.

Mezcal is not traditionally mixed with anything, but it is common to sip it alongside food or something to nibble on. This is usually thin slices of orange, but jicama, carrot or grapefruit also work. The snack is sprinkled with a mixed salt called sal de gusano (“worm salt”).