Tequila

Tequila is an alcoholic beverage made from the distilled sap and heart of the Agave plant. Tequila and Mescal are both distilled in Mexico, and are considered to be the first beverages distilled in North America.

Common cocktails made with tequila are the Margarita, Tequila Sunrise, and Tequila Sunset. Tequila is also often consumed as a shot, usually accompanied by lemon juice and salt, to cut the intense flavor. Premium tequilas, also known as sippin' tequilas, are regularly consumed straight.

Several brands of mescal and tequila have a pickled worm at the bottom of the bottle. The worm, actually a larval butterfly, is said to possess intensifying properties to the potency of the Tequila. This tradition was started in the 1940s to boost sales, and is not based on fact. Consuming the worm only gives the drinker concentrated alcohol and protein.