July 24th is the day on which National Tequila Day is celebrated in the United States. On this day, millions of Americans spend the day consuming the national drink of Mexico—probably in excess. Although this holiday has the word “National” in its title, it isn’t an official holiday in the U.S., meaning that banks, schools, and businesses are not closed on this day.

History

No one really knows the history behind National Tequila Day. Perhaps it was never officially recorded, or maybe the creators of this holiday just consumed too much of the drink they were celebrating to remember that they created it. Either way, the exact roots of this day have been lost to the fog of time.

On the other hand, the history of tequila is very well documented. However, before we find out when this alcoholic beverage was first created, we first need to find out exactly what it is and how it’s made. Tequila is made with a variety of different alcohol content levels, but there are upper and lower limits.

The lowest alcohol content that can be found in true tequila is about 31% alcohol (or 62 proof); the highest amount of alcohol found in tequila is about 55% (or 110 proof). According to Mexican law, tequila can only be manufactured in the states of Jalisco, Michoacán, Nayarit, and Guanajuato.

Modern tequila can be attributed to a drink that the Aztecs made before the arrival of the Spanish in Mexico in the 16th century. This drink was created by fermenting the agave plant. After the colonization of Mexico, the local populations around the city of Tequila created a drink in much the same way as the ancient Aztecs, and this is what many people nowadays consider to be the first tequila.

However, this type of alcohol wasn’t true tequila; it was more like mezcal wine. True tequila wasn’t created until about the seventeenth century when the first license was granted to the Cuervo family. Today, over 12 million cases of tequila are sold in the United States alone.

Customs, Traditions, and Celebrations

There is only one true way to celebrate National Tequila Day, and that is by enjoying this drink with your friends. This can be done within the context of Mexican-themed parties or fiestas that feature traditional Mexican food such as tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and sopas. However, this isn’t the only way to celebrate National Tequila Day; feel free to let your imagination run wild with this holiday.