iStockphoto
The spirits industry has long been defined by various trends that have seen certain liquors dominate the market for an extended period of time.
For example, vodka reigned supreme in the decades leading up to the new millennium thanks to its versatility and reputation as a relatively inoffensive liquor.
However, the tides began to turn in the late 2000s thanks to the craft cocktail movement and the so-called “Don Draper Effect” that thrust whiskey back into the spotlight, and that particular category remains a force to be reckoned with to this day.
With that said, a new challenger has slowly but surely begun to emerge in the form of tequila.
Tequila sales outpaced vodka at bars across the United States in 2022, and Mexico saw its total exports hit a record-high last year thanks to the impressive 34% jump the spirit experienced compared to 2021.
As a result, it’s safe to say tequila (as well as mezcal) is Having A Moment, but if you’re one of the people who’ve increased their consumption of agave-based adult beverages in recent years, you may need to brace yourself for some impending growing pains.
According to The New York Post, Mexico is currently grappling with a drought that has impacted the regions where the bulk of the agave used to produce tequila is grown. The lack of rainfall is only part of the issue, as the southern part of the country has also been dealing with unseasonably high winter temperatures that have contributed to subpar growing conditions.
Only time will tell just how big of an impact those conditions will have on the industry as a whole (meteorologist Jon Davis notes agave is a hearty plant that could theoretically have an easier time withstanding this type of setback),
However, tequila drinkers may want to brace themselves for a potential shortage (and a subsequent rise in prices) based on how things are currently trending.