From divine beverage to traditional Mexican spirit, tequila has had an eventful history. Find out all about the famous agave brandy, so you can shine at your next party.
Divinities and prophecies
But when was tequila born? There is much debate about its creation, which is still a long way off. However, it is known that the Aztecs and other pre-Columbian civilizations consumed a fermented drink made from agave, pulque. Considered an elixir that gave strength and courage, it was reserved for priests, nobles and warriors, and drunk exclusively during religious or medicinal rituals.
Tequila is said to be a gift from the gods. While one Aztec legend has it that lightning struck an agave tree one day, releasing its sweet, fermented juice, another puts the spotlight on Mayahuel, goddess of fertility and agaves. It was torn apart by evil spirits, its remains giving rise to the first agaves and the sap used to produce the spirit. Agaves, also known as maguey, are at the heart of many fables. They were even thought to be sacred, with the god Quetzalcoatl promising to return in the form of one of them. Logical, then, that the alcoholic beverage derived from it should appear as the manifestation of divine prophecy. In certain regions, such as Jalisco, this precious nectar is said to be protected by a headless horseman who guards the plantations on the evenings of the full moon. Just one more addition to the rich folklore surrounding tequila, which we love to share over a margarita.
A pop culture icon
She has also distinguished herself outside mythology, becoming a figure of national pride during the Mexican Revolution. A favorite of revolutionaries, it was associated with the fight for independence. This cultural status was reinforced in the early 1920s by Prohibition in the United States. Tequila was just over the border, making it the ideal smuggled spirit.
It then gained in popularity, a success that has lasted and explains its incursion into popular culture. Hollywood adopts it and its stars with it. John Wayne and Ava Gardner were often seen sipping Mexican brandy, and how can we forget that memorable scene from Pulp Fiction where Uma Thurman and John Travolta drink tequila shots and take part in a dance contest? Not to mention the songs in its honor and celebrities such as George Clooney who have launched their own brand(Casamigos). Much more than a spirit, it is a cultural symbol recognized the world over.
