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National Tequila Day (July 24th) Celebration Tips
by Greg Rutkowski
Tequila is a Mexican spirit distilled from agave tequilana, also known as blue agave. Although the drink is distilled in Mexico, its largest consumers are in the United States.
We love this drink so much that they set a National Tequila Day - July 24th, every year to celebrate and appreciate the hard work that goes into creating this exceptional drink.
Read on to discover more about national Tequila Day and fun ways to join in the celebrations.
When is National Tequila Day?
It is important to mention that National Tequila Day is not a public holiday, meaning that it cannot prevent people from transacting the business.
The National Tequila Day 2020 was on a Friday, which was a working day. Luckily, National Tequila Day 2021 falls on Saturday, July 24.
This year, you can have an uninterrupted day of celebration as you explore various tequilas and tequila cocktails.
A Brief History of Tequila Day
The history of tequila day celebrations is rather vague. However, the consumption of traditional mezcal wine, known as pulque, among ancient Mexicans was popular before the Spanish conquered and colonized them in the 16th Century.
During this period, the Spanish introduced mezcal distillation using earthen vessels.
Later in 1795, Don Cenobio Sauza discovered that the blue agave plant produces better tequila than other maguey plant varieties. His distillery started producing the drink we currently call tequila.
When it comes to tequila cocktails, Margarita is the most popular. Madden discovered this famous drink accidentally in 1936 in Tijuana, Mexico. He named the drink Tequila Daisy. Daisy in Spanish is Margarita.
This cocktail became a popular drink for celebrating special occasions such as Cinco de Mayo.
In 1974, the Mexican government got patent rights for the name "Tequila". This meant that distilleries could only produce tequila in specific regions in Mexico.
Modern-day bartenders continue to push the limits higher by creating exciting cocktails.
Now you have more options to try out besides Tequila Sunrise and Margarita.
Why is National Tequila Day Special?
It takes backbreaking work before tequila can hit the shelves. The process starts by tending the blue agave plant for eight to twelve years. It is then harvested and roasted for days before milling to extract the blue agave nectar. Distilleries then ferment the agave extract, which is later distilled multiple times to produce high-quality tequila.
When companies bottle this agave spirit without aging, it's called tequila blanco or silver. Otherwise, it is aged for 2-12 months and bottled as tequila reposado. If the drink sits in the oak barrels for more than a year, it's labeled tequila añejo. And so every year, tequila lovers come together to celebrate the effort made by Jimadors and maestro mezcaleros, to create this epic spirit.
How to Celebrate Tequila Day in Style
If you are looking for drink ideas on how to celebrate tequila day you need to check this out.
There is no shortage of ideas when it comes to celebrating tequila day. And as you might have guessed, tequila must be on the menu. The good thing is that you don't need to make elaborate preparations as is the case with most holidays. You can simply head to the bar and enjoy a shot or two of the beverage with friends.
You can get creative and make margarita cocktails for yourself and your friends. It is also a good time to experiment with new tequila drinks you have never drank before. If you are low on budget, don't feel left out. There many tequila drinks for under $30 that will light up your celebrations.
Also, if you really wanted to celebrate tequila day in style here is an experience of a lifetime. Fly into Guadalajara and take the Jose Cuervo Express to Tequila Town in Jalisco, Mexico. Once there, rent a tequila barrel hotel room at the Matices Hotel and enjoy!
As you celebrate tequila day, don't throw caution to the wind and overindulge. Drink responsibly to avoid adverse effects of alcohol. And whatever you do, don't drink and drive.
Final Thoughts on Tequila Day
National Tequila Day is celebrated on July 24th every year. Although it's not an official holiday, Tequila lovers get the opportunity to meet friends and appreciate the hard work that goes into creating this Mexican agave liquor. It takes years for the blue agave plant to mature and backbreaking work to get the maguey hearts to the distilleries. And therefore, whether you prefer a few shots of tequila with salt and lime or a juice cocktail with a splash of the liquor, keep the next tequila day open for celebrations. Meet friends and toast to better tequila days ahead.
If you are looking for some new hardware to celebrate Tequila Day, click here!
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