Tequila! The significance of National Tequila Day and where to grab a drink in Southwest Florida
It's not just regular ole' Margarita Monday — it's National Tequila Day.
Whether you enjoy it in the typical Margarita, another fruity cocktail, or just straight down the hatch, today's the day to treat yourself to some authentic tequila.
USA Today reported that the spirit, made from Weber blue agave plant in certain parts of Mexico, has seen a steady rise over the past several years, with U.S. sales up 7.3% in 2022, and up 6% so far this year, according to Bump Williams Consulting of Shelton, Connecticut, which services the alcoholic beverage industry and uses NielsenIQ data.
Here's some background on the day and where to responsibly score some drink deals today:
Put that tequila to good use today: It's National Tequila Day 2023: See deals, recipes and drinks to try
What is tequila?
Tequila is a distilled liquor made from the blue agave plant found in Mexico. USA Today wrote that since the time of the Aztecs, the use of blue agave in the spirits' creation has been unique to Mexico. The liquor did not find an American audience until prohibition when European spirits were hard to come by and bootleggers began bringing bottles over the border.
There are three types of tequila:
Blanco - is not typically aged, as it is meant to express a more unadulterated form of the agave flavors and is sometimes left to stand in a steel tank.
Reposado - aged in oak barrels and is let sit for anywhere between two months and a year.
Añejo - the final stop on the scale and is aged for one to three years.
Past USA Today reports note that there is one more classification: Joven tequila, which mixes blanco with a small bit of aged tequila.
What region does tequila come from?
The liquor is most commonly produced in the Mexican states of Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit, Tamaulipas, and Jalisco. To be considered an authentic “tequila,” the spirit has to be made in the five designated regions of Mexico, otherwise, it is considered an “agave spirit.”
What is the significance of National Tequila Day?
While there is no historical significance to the day, it is meant to celebrate and shine a light on the treasured spirit, giving those a chance to properly recognize Mexican farmers who harvest the agave for Tequila. It also allows both connoisseurs and casual drinkers alike to savor its tastes, cultural significance, and legacy behind the liquor.
What Southwest Florida businesses are celebrating National Tequila Day?
El Nido Modern Mexican
Starting at 6 p.m., the Mexican restaurant will host its "National Tequila Day + 1 Year Anniversary Carnival" party in Coconut Point Mall with tequila tastings, music, and more. They are located at 23161 Village Shops Way Suite 113 in Estero.
Felipe's Taqueria Naples
Felipe's Taqueria Naples patrons can enjoy deals all day, such as a 2-for-1 hand-squeezed house, rocks, and frozen margaritas, and $4 1800 tequila shots. They are located at 4255 Tamiami Trail North in Naples.
La Santa Tacos & Tequilas
La Santa Tacos & Tequilas will offer two of the price one margarita on Monday, with many different flavors. They can be found at 2405 Tarpon Bay Boulevard in Naples.
TGI Fridays
Head to your favorite TGI Fridays location for some special tequila cocktails, including a Dragon Fruit Margarita or a $4 Tequila Sunrise. There's also a selection of other $4 cocktails, $2 beers, and $5 wines. When you dine in, you can get $3 off any appetizer and get free chips and salsa.
Contributing reporting: Anna Kaufman, USA-Today NETWORK
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: It's National Tequila Day 2023. Grab a drink, learn about its history
