In México we say “Para todo mal, mezcal. Para todo bien, también.” [For any misfortune, mezcal. For any blessing, the same.] So actually anything that happens to us is enough of a reason to toast with mezcal. Mezcal comes from the náhuatl word mexcalli, which means “cooked maguey or agave”.

One of my favorite paces to drink mezcal is Mano Santa, a small mezcalería where they sell mezcal that is bought directly from the producer. I love this place because besides finding great mezcal, one can also finds fantastic Oaxaca food here. My favorite is the quesadilla of chapulines or grasshoppers and cheese, which is accompanied with delicious guacamole. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays they sell one beer + one mezcal – with is a great combination – for $85 MXN and, most of the times, they come with cool, loud music!