The best stereotype in Jalisco
If you know anything about Mexico, the name Jalisco may resonate. It’s a state on the western shore of the country with borders that shoot like fingers into the heart of the land. The shape of the region is evocative of the birthmark on Mikhail Gorbachev’s forehead. It’s also home to the intellectual capital of Guadalajara, the Mexican hat dance and Sombrero, the Mexican Rodeo, Mariachi, and a small town named Tequila. The music, dancing, silly hats, and rodeo are all stereotypes of Mexicans. But, the clear, silver, or golden agave liquor is the best stereotype in Jalisco. And, here in America, it’s national tequila day. So, let’s get our stereotype on.
Today, Jalisco is a sought after tourist destinations. The drink is the most prevalent reason. Porto Vallarta swarms with White people drinking margaritas on the Pacific coast while enjoying all the culture the area represents. But, this is a new development. Jalisco was a hotbed of rebellion and battle for centuries. The most stable period in the region lasted from the 1940’s to around 2000, when the Sinaloa and Jalisco Drug cartels openly battled in the region. With the arrest of El Chapo in 2019, some of the recent violence may be subsiding . But, don’t expect too much relief. No wonder tequila is in such high demand. The region received its name in the wake of Spanish conquistadors taking over in the 16th century. And, it changed hands to various forces and rebel factions over the centuries. In the 19th to 20th centuries alone, it changed hands about 30 times.
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What makes tequila The best stereotype in Jalisco?
Despite tequila being a sub-variant of Mezcal, it remains the most popular and recognizable drink native to Mexico. Given the centuries of political unrest and battles, perhaps it’s because the blood of martyrs seasons the land where the agave grows. But, that’s just poetic license. Despite the constant back and forth in the region, tequila maintains the strictest regulations and rules of all agave based beverages. Not only does it have to come from the region, it must come from the higher quality “blue” agave, undergo the same processing, distillation, aging, and adhere to purity laws. For a seemingly lawless region, tequila is a shining beacon of consistency in a bottle. It’s enough to make you want to Throw down your sombrero and dance around it to a mariachi band at a Mexican rodeo.
While Mezcal varies greatly over all its variations, the difference from one tequila to the next is usually in the aging. As a refresher, Mezcal is an alcoholic beverage derived from agave. Many Mezcals smoke the agave, while tequila steams its agave. Technically, tequila is Mezcal. But, to get the name, it must come from the 5 states of Jalisco. Mezcal has few geographic restrictions, and can use any of the over 200 variations of agave as opposed to tequilas use of only blue weber. The biggest difference is consistency. The big difference between tequilas is in the aging. Blanco comes right off distilling and spends 2 months in the bottle. Repasado Spends 2 months to a year in the bottle. Anejo is 1 to 3 years, and extra Anejo is over 3 years.
Speedy Gonzales and his pals
If you remember Saturday Morning cartoons, Speedy Gonzalez was one of the most stereotypical Mexican caricatures for decades. And, his mouse friends were always drunk on tequila. Today, these stereotypes are now replaced with imagery and descriptions of violent drug cartel thugs on crime sprees, largely fueled by right wing propaganda. Speedy and company seem like quaint, vaguely racist, representations in comparison to the recent hysteria. The reality is that both images are stereotypes. But, that shouldn’t affect our view of tequila.
Speedy’s buddies enjoyed a good night of drinking without violence. Even though there have always been violent factions in Mexico, especially in Jalisco, they are not the majority of the people. And, they aren’t the ones lining up at the borders. The gangs may rule in Mexico itself. But, their ability to wield that power doesn’t extend beyond the border. The majority of the people coming to America are people trying to escape the constant threats in their own communities. So, the Speedy and Company stereotypes are actually closer to the real people of the region. And, tequila is a necessary part of the culture. If you must stereotype: tequila is still The best stereotype in Jalisco. So, support the locals just trying to make a living: celebrate national tequila day, today, and more frequently.
Let’s mix it up with The best stereotype in Jalisco
While drinking tequila straight with a pinch of salt and lime is a time honored tradition, it’s also classic in mixed drinks like Margaritas. And, since we are a food blog, we like to mix it up, and you get the chance to check out some fun recipes. The earthy, sweet, and fruity characteristics lend well to summery drinks and can be quite refreshing. margaritas are the most famous. But, there are plenty of other cocktails with tequila, like the classic tequila sunrise espoused in the 70’s song. Others include:
- Ranch Rose: Tequila, lime juice, blood orange syrup, Lillet rose, sparkling water, garnished with dried rose petals
- Tequila Mocking Goat: Tequila with a syrup made by reducing ginger, chilies, lime leaves, sugar, cilantro, and water:; mixed with lime juice and soda water
- Tequila Sunrise: Tequila, Orange Juice, Grenadine, layered in a glass, garnished with orange and cherry
- Guava Goddess: Tequila with orgeat syrup (almond, sugar, and rose or orange water), lime juice, guava juice, and aperol
Of course, there is also the classic, and increasingly popular Paloma. Click here for more on that.
And, for your drinking pleasure, here are a couple of Margarita recipes to whet (and hopefully wet) your appetite:
Vanilla Cherry Chambord margarita
Ingredients
- 8 Oz tequila (Blanco, preferably)
- 4 Oz Triple Sec or Orange Liqueur
- 4 Oz Chambord Liqueur
- 1 Small Vanilla bean
- 1 Pint Fresh Cherries, Pits and Stems removed
- 4 oz Agave Syrup
- 8 Oz Lime Juice
- Plenty of ice
- Limes and Cherries to garnish
Instructions
- Seed and stem the cherries and cut them up. Split the vanilla bean and scrape out the seeds. Put the pod in sugar to give it a vanilla flavor or use it some other way. Place the vanilla seeds and cherries in a large pitcher. Muddle them with agave. Then add the rest of the ingredients and fill with ice. Mix well.
- Dip glasses in water. Then salt the rims with a mixture of sea salt and large grain sugar. Fill each glass and garnish with limes and cherries.
Spicy Toasted margarita
Equipment
- You will need a butane torch to toast the marshmallow
Ingredients
- 8 oz Tequila
- 4 oz Grand Marnier or triple sec
- 8 oz Simple Syrup
- 8 oz Lime Juice
- 1/2 tsp Jalapeno
- Lots of ice
- 4 large Tequila agave marshmallows to garnish
- Lime to garnish
- A mixture of salt and sugar for rimming the glasses
Instructions
- Put all ingredients except marshmallow and lime in a blender. Blend until the desired consistency.
- Dip the Glasses in water and then dip into the sugar and salt mix to rim the glasses. Fill with margaritas. Then, Float the marshmallows on top. Use a torch to brown the marshmallows. Then garnish the drink with a lime wedge or round.
- Drink and repeat.
Feel free to branch off and make your own variations. But, don’t be afraid to break out your urban sombrero and do a silly hat dance.