Agave

Definition:

The spiky desert diva of Mexico and the American Southwest. She looks like she wants to stab you, but secretly she’s just here to turn into tequila, mezcal, and your Saturday night mistakes.

Why it Matters:

Without agave, your margarita is just sad lime juice in a salted glass. This hardy succulent isn’t just a plant—it’s the very soul of two of Mexico’s greatest liquid exports: tequila and mezcal. Bartenders revere agave because it adds earthy, smoky, or peppery notes that no other spirit can fake. In short: no agave, no fiesta.

Whether you’re sipping a mezcal neat or mixing a tequila sunrise, agave is the backbone that keeps cocktail culture standing tall (and occasionally staggering). It’s a plant with personality: spiky, resilient, and surprisingly generous once you distill it down.