Despite tequila (and mezcal) being enjoyed in Mexico for 100s of years previously, it wasn’t until 1795 that José Maria de Cuervo became the first tequila maker to get an ‘official’ license to distil the stuff. But let’s rewind a bit, as Don José shouldn’t get all the glory. Let’s first head back to the Spanish conquistadors… As we know, the Spanish soldiers and aristocrats fighting in Mexico from 1519 quickly began to yearn for some of the more refined drinks they’d enjoyed

Tequila is the America’s first distilled drink, and first commercial alcohol. But it also has a turbulent and blood-thirsty history.