Cheers to National Tequila Day 2023!

While you’ll never need a reason to raise your glass to Mexico’s beloved national drink, National Tequila Day is a great opportunity to pay homage to one of the most popular spirits in North American and around the world. While the history of Tequila is well documented, the origin of National Tequila Day is a bit vague. Little is clearly known about why and where this unique holiday originated, but one can safely assume its creators enjoyed a fair amount of Tequila along the way. The rules as to when to celebrate are also a bit murky. The recognized date to celebrate the American version is July 24th. However, thanks to the Mexican Senate’s 2018 ruling, the local celebration in Mexico is always on the third Saturday of March. Of course, true Tequila “aficionados” find it perfectly acceptable to celebrate this national treasure of Mexico on both days.

Unlike the holiday, the history of Tequila is well documented and dates back to the Mesoamerican times circa 1,000 B.C., when indigenous Mexican tribes would commonly harvest and ferment a milky agave liquid known as pulque. Then in the early 1500’s, Spaniards made their surprise visit to the region, and they couldn’t be without their brandy for too long. So, when supplies of brandy ran low, they improvised using mud stills to distill agave, essentially creating an early version of mezcal.

However, what we know today as Tequila would be first produced later in 16th century in a region that became known as Tequila, just northwest of Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco, Mexico. What made this region so special is the soil, which is perfectly suited for growing blue agave, the essential ingredient in Tequila. The world’s first Tequila distilling facility in Jalisco was opened by Spanish aristocrat Don Pedro Sánchez de Tagle. But it wasn’t until the late 1700’s, when a name well known to Tequila drinkers, Don Jose Antonio de Cuervo founded the first Jose Cuervo factory creating the world’s most popular Tequila brand to this day.

More recently, Tequila has made its mark on the global luxury spirits market with upscale brands and variations based on age. Blanco (also known as Silver) is unaged or minimally aged, with no coloring. Reposado (“rested”) is aged in oak for two months to a year. Añejo is aged in oak for a minimum of one year. Extra Añejo refers to tequila aged for a few years. While the traditional margarita remains the most popular Tequila-based cocktail, there are not only countless variations of the margarita, but the array of tequila infused drinks has become limitless.

At Fairmont Mayakoba, no matter what your favorite Tequila drink is, it is certain to be found at one of our six bars. From specially crafted Tequila infused cocktails served by a virtuoso mixologist, to enjoying a refreshing Margarita while basking in the bright Mexican sun, you’ll never be far from a refreshing drink. Choose from barefoot casual beach and pool bars by day, to stylish indoor and outdoor venues under the stars. The bars at Mayakoba are designed for relaxing moments of conversation while sipping your favorite beverage and nibbling on tasty bar snacks.

And what better way to enjoy a great cocktail than to pair it with a perfect dining experience. At Fairmont Mayakoba, our culinary experiences are a daily celebration of flavors, ambiance, and attentive service. With 12 unique dining options to choose from, dining at Mayakoba is designed to satisfy every craving. From chic fine dining to beachfront casual and everything in between, the array of options seems endless. In each dining outlet you’ll discover inspired chefs practicing classic culinary techniques using the freshest local ingredients from the land and sea, all prepared to perfection.