Between 2015 and 2022, US demand for mezcal skyrocketed by 700%, while wild agave, the key ingredient, becomes increasingly scarce.

Cocktail enthusiasts in the United States are increasingly drawn to mezcal, a smoky spirit from Mexico. Drinks like the mezcal margarita and the mezcal mule have become popular in American bars. Between 2015 and 2022, demand for mezcal surged 700%, according to Mexico's Mezcal Regulatory Commission. However, wild agave, the main ingredient of top-shelf mezcal, is becoming scarce. This is mainly due to the long growth and maturation period of the plant, as well as the disappearance of eight wild species used to make mezcal. Washington Post correspondent Kevin Sieff recently reported on the situation in Oaxaca, Mexico, exploring the implications for Mexican distillers and American producers.

February 05, 2024
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