What's mezcal and how is it different from tequila?

Mezcal is a Mexican agave spirit produced from any of 30-plus agave varieties, traditionally smoked in earthen pits. Tequila is a regulated subset of mezcal made only from blue Weber agave in specific regions.

Mezcal is the umbrella category for Mexican distilled agave spirits. Tequila is the most famous member of that category but is bound by a denominación de origen that limits production to one agave variety (blue Weber) and specific Mexican states (primarily Jalisco). Mezcal, in contrast, can be made from any of 30-plus agave varieties (espadín is the most common; tobalá, madrecuixe, tepeztate, arroqueño are popular varieties for sipping mezcals) and is produced primarily in Oaxaca. The signature flavor difference: tequila is grassy, citrusy, vegetal; mezcal is smoky, earthy, and often herbal, because the agave hearts are roasted in earthen pits over wood and lava rocks before fermentation. In cocktails: a mezcal margarita is a smokier, more complex Margarita; a Naked and Famous (equal parts mezcal, Aperol, yellow Chartreuse, lime) showcases mezcal's smoke and herbal notes. Sip both neat to learn the difference before mixing.