Updated July 2026.
Agave is the plant. Mezcal is the spirit. Certified mezcal is NOM-070-SCFI-2016 from 100% agave, bottled at 35–55%. Tequila is NOM-006 from Agave tequilana Weber blue variety only. “Agave spirit” on a US label is not automatically mezcal or tequila. Typical US bottles print 40%. A 1.5-ounce pour at 40% is one NIAAA drink.
Related: mezcal taste, tequila vs mezcal, sotol vs tequila.
Plant vs pour
| Language | 1.5 oz drinks |
|---|---|
| Agave | — |
| Mezcal | 0.88–1.38 |
| Tequila | 0.88–1.38 |
| Sotol | 0.88–1.38 |
A 750 mL 40% bottle is about 17 drinks. Four pours are four drinks. Pour math: tequila drinks.
Sources
- NOM-070-SCFI-2016. NOM-006-SCFI-2012. NOM-159 for sotol (Dasylirion, not agave).
- NIAAA December 2025.
- NOM-070; 100% agave; 35–55%
- NOM-006; blue weber only