National Tequila Day 2013: Some Facts About Mexico’s Famous Drink

National Tequila Day 2013 falls on Wednesday, July 24, and retailers are looking to capitalize on the day.

Here’s some facts about the Mexico-produced spirit:

-Tequila is considered Mexico’s national drink
-The drink is made from the blue agave plant, mainly sourced from around the Mexican city of Tequila in the state of Jalisco.
-Mexico’s laws stipulate that Tequila can only be made from blue agave Jalisco, but it can be produced in limited amounts in the states of Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas.
-Tequila is generally between 76 and 80 proof (38 percent to 40 percent alcohol), but there are some varieties with higher alcohol content.
-Tequila was first made by the Spanish in the 1500s near the city of Tequila
-The native Aztecs made an alcoholic beverage from blue agave before the Spanish arrived, but it’s unclear if it was similar to Tequila.
-To be considered Tequila, the spirit has to have at least 51 percent blue agave.
-The most expensive Tequila ever sold was a bottle of Platinum & White Gold Tequila for $225,000 in 2006.
-Mexicans generally don’t drink Tequila shots with with limes like in the United States.

Minneapolis-based alcohol expert Westin Winkler told CBS News that one should avoid drinking too much or drinking too cheap. “You just want to stay away from anything under $10,” he said.

He added that “just like in wine you’re going to taste it on different parts of your tongue.”