The excitement of traveling somewhere new, ALWAYS comes with a lot of research. Where to go? Where to stay? Where to eat? Where to drink? Food and drinks could be the highlight of your travel, only if you are willing to go all over the local experience. Any foodie-travelers on the house!?
How about some Mexican traditional beverages to pair up with your next night out??
As soon as we get the drinks menu, we start flipping the pages, reading all this fancy names, only to realize that we have no clue of what to order. Not anymore, or at least not on your next visit to Playa del Carmen.
Drinkable History
Back in the day, when I ate Mole with my family, Dad used to pour himself a Tequila shot to go with his meal, so when I curiously asked him “Why?” He told me that it was due to benefits in the digestive system. Dad told me that it will help him feel not so “heavy” (food coma) after having some delicious Enchiladas de Mole con Pollo (a personal favourite).
Now, after a few hangovers and research, I understood that just like Tequila, there’re many hard drinks that once were medicinal beverages, made from authentic ingredients which had certain benefits or purposes. Either distilled or fermented, neat or on the rocks, but now we consume them on a daily basis.
Tequila
(Guadalajara, Jalisco)
Tequila is a distilled spirit drink that uniquely comes from the Agave Tequilana Weber. Legend says a lightning strike set fire to agave crops giving chance to natives to discover that due to the heat, a new type of honey was produced: the aguamiel. When the agaves are fully grown, the Jimadores or harvesters, by hand will cut the leaves or pencas, leaving to expose the piñas (the heart of the plant), which is chopped and thrown into the ovens. The baked piñas are crushed with Tahona, a huge volcanic stone, used to squeeze the sugary juices from the fibers. This fermented sugars are converted into alcohol.
After distillation using column stills or copper pot stills, the Tequila can be bottled as Tequila Blanco or can be aged in barrels and classified in Reposado, Añejo and Extra Añejo.
While Dad is having his meal, the natural soluble fibers like inulin are working as fuel to speed his metabolism protecting the intestinal barrier. As if this wasn’t enough, the sweeteners exclusively found in Tequilana Agave (agavina) will act as non-digestible sugars that reduce high blood levels, which is great for Dad because he never skips dessert. Ever.
Perfect Serve:
There is nothing like a fresh Tequila Blanco on the rocks with a squeezed lime, no? But life is just better with a Margarita, orders yours at Fusion Beach Bar Cuisine on 6th street and the beach. Also, make sure to ask for a personal tequila tasting in our Authentic Local Experience tour at Eating With Carmen Food Tours.
Mezcal
(Oaxaca)
Exclusively hand-crafted by small producers using old centuries methods. They slow-roast the agave by burying it in underground ovens with volcanic rock, which gives the spirit its signature smoke. Maguey plants can be 8, 21 or even 35 years old. Agave Espadin is known for having smokey, herbal and floral notes. Agave Tobalá is distinguished by fruity, spiced and sweet notes. The earthy, mineral and dry notes can be found in Agave Cuixe.
“PARA TODO MAL, MEZCAL. PARA TODO BIEN, TAMBIÉN”
“When things are going bad, have a Mezcal. When things are going good, have one too”
According to a study by the University of Florida, Mezcal has the ability to dissolve accumulated fat or bad cholesterol. Activates your brain functions and helps to regulate the levels of depression.
Perfect Serve:
Enjoy years and years of tradition, by sipping a shot of Mezcal. Identify the notes your tongue can taste. You can have some orange slices with some sal de gusano de maguey in case you feel it to strong. Ask for your mezcal tasting on our Authentic Local Experience Tour or La Perla Pexan Cuisine is the place to go if you are in a Mezcal-mood.
Xtabentún
[ish- tah- ben- toon]
(Yucatán)
An aphrodisiac beverage used for spiritual purposes due to the benefits of its unique ingredients: Xtabentún flower contains natural psychoactive properties. An infusion of Xtabentún root was for good for child birth complications. The healing, regenerating, good for digestion honey, gifted by the Melipona Bees (which get fed by Xtabentún nectar) is also great for processing food while calming gastritis ulcers. Traditionally, Xtabentún liqueur is known for it’s intoxicating effect which causes euphoria and sleepiness.
Perfect Serve:
It’s a very sweet but refreshing liqueur that goes perfectly with a shot of Kahlua or any coffee liqueur. La Europea at Quinta Alegria Mall, is the perfect place to get your new favorite sweetener. For adults only.
Pulque
(Mexico)
Remember that lighting that torched the agaves and produce de aguamiel? Well, after going into fermentation, the liquor can be consumed either natural or curado, mixed with macerated fruits, veggies, nuts or spices.
“SÓLO LE FALTA UN GRADO PARA SER CARNE”
“It’s just missing one bit to be meat”
Due to the properties of agave, Pulque has proteins, vitamins and calories enough for a daily diet and high quantity of lactobacilli and probiotics that might help regenerate the gut bacteria. Pulque is a medicinal drink as old as time, slightly viscous, sour but allegedly nutritious— probably not a very favorite but a must- try once in a lifetime.
Perfect Serve:
If Pulque slimy texture suits you and one glass is not enough, make sure to try as many flavors as you can or until you can’t feel your legs. Kill to birds with one stone at La Perla Pixan!
Craft Beer
(Mexico)
Brewing beer in Mexico might sound easy, but two big companies have taken over the industry making it hard to get good quality ingredients and forcing small breweries to import the product by paying high taxes. Mexican cuisine has been the inspiration for the new wave of craft beer all over our country giving a new experience to the palate. Aromas and natural flavors from hops eliminate constipation thanks to the soluble fibers which also help as digestive and natural healers. During your next holidays in Playa del Carmen, make sure to forget about your Corona with lime and give a try to our local breweries!
- Mundo Maya: The Warrior IPA, Snake Head Vienna Lager, La Selva American Wheat and Jaguar Stout.
- Cervecería Akumal: Akumal APA, Akumal English Robust Porter and Akumal IPA.
- Cervecería Tulum: Tulum APA, Tulum Golden Ale and Tulum Brown Ale.
Perfect Serve:
Pair your new favorite beer with a refreshing Ceviche, just like we do at our Seafood Madness Food Tour. Looking for tons of craft brews from all around the globe? El Club de la Cerveza might become your new fav spot.
Mexican Wine
That’s right, we produce wine too!! And a very good one I might dare say. Even though is also produced in Coahuila (Casa Madero) Guanajuato (Bodega Dos Búhos) Querétaro (Freixenet), and Baja California, Valle de Guadalupe is where you can visit multiple vineyards, wine museums or wine tastings. The dry and hot region benefits from the cooling breeze of the Pacific Ocean. The best wine grapes from Baja California are:
- White Wine: Chennin Blanc, Colombard, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay.
- Red Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Zinfandel, Malbec y Barbera.
Red wine offers more health benefits than white. Studies have shown that wine provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits that may improve your gut bacteria and boost your heart health, mental health, and longevity. And who are we to argue with science, right?
Perfect Serve:
I recommend pairing a bottle of wine with your best friend and wait for the sunrise. Off the Vine at 5 th Avenue with 40th street it’s not open that late but surely will surprise you with their extense menu.
“Travel is about the gorgeous feeling of teetering in the unknown”
Anthony Bourdain
We believe that having some background on what we eat or drink, will provide totally different experiences. Tasting, savoring and appreciating what different cultures have to offer, will help us enjoy ourselves and our trips even more. Can wait for all of you to be safe and healthy!! See you soon around Paradise! Stay tuned for updates!!
-A.
