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<\/div>\nI recently returned from a wild week in Mexico<\/a> exploring the mezcal and tequila scene \u2013\u202fa trip which ran the gamut from spit-and-sawdust mezcal palenques <\/em>in the Oaxaca mountains to the high glamour of Mexico City Art Week launch parties. It\u2019s a while since I was last there and I was dazzled by what I ate, drank, heard, and saw. \u00a0<\/p>\n As you know, the country\u2019s biggest spirited export, by far, is tequila \u2013\u202fbut Mexico produces a wealth of other agave spirits too including mezcal, raicilla, bacanaora, and the mezcal-like sotol. So much choice can be overwhelming, but a good bar, run by people who know their stuff, can really help. Here are three destinations I loved that I think should be at the top of any agave-curious traveler\u2019s list.<\/p>\n See also: The Surprising Return of High-Proof Spirits<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Despacho Margarita<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n This new addition to Mexico City\u2019s chic Roma Norte district is by the same duo as Licoreria Limantour<\/a> \u2013 a nearby cocktail bar that regularly makes the world\u2019s \u2018best of\u2019 lists. Their mission was to reclaim the Margarita \u2013\u202fand they offer several variations on the theme including a spicy twist with serrano pepper, and a frozen version with mezcal, tamarind and sweet-and-sour chamoy <\/em>pickle. The place is small and lively, with a neighbourhood vibe \u2013 the wooden counter groans with bowls of limes, while in the corner a giant clay comal<\/em> heats up for tortillas. The shelves are lined with agave spirits of every style from well-loved names like Ocho and Tapatio to luxury sippers like Casa Dragones. More niche discoveries include\u00a0La Venenosa Raicilla and pechugas from Bozal including an unusual twist \u2014 distilled jamon iberico \u2014 plus Mexican gins, vodkas, sotols, and the corn-based Nixta and spicy Ancho Reyes liqueurs. It\u2019s already popular \u2013\u202fwhen I visited at 3pm on a Wednesday the party was well underway. And it\u2019s just round the corner from the beautiful Rosetta<\/a> restaurant where I had one of the best lunches of my life.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n In Situ Mezcaleria<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n The colorful state of Oaxaca is the heartland of mezcal. And you won\u2019t find a better introduction to the spirit than a tasting at In Situ, a dusky-pink mezcaleria<\/em> in the City\u2019s charming historic centre. The choice of mezcals here is enormous \u2013 they claim it\u2019s the biggest in Mexico \u2013\u202fand every one is a small-batch, single-estate release bottled exclusively for the bar. Compare different varieties of agave, and mezcals distilled in copper and clay, or try a pechuga (an artisan variety of mezcal often distilled with added fruits and meat) distilled with a rabbit breast, banana, pineapple and marigolds, specially for the Day of the Dead. The feel here is friendly and informal \u2013\u202fyou can either sit up at the bar with a mezcal and a beer, or settle in for a guided tasting in one of two white-washed, shabby-chic side rooms. There\u2019s also a little boutique selling accessories by local artisans, as well as mezcal by the bottle and a selection of barware.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\nBest place for tequila in Mexico City<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Best place for tequila in<\/strong> Oaxaca City<\/h2>\n
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