What alcoholic beverages were consumed in Mexico during the times of Independence

Independence is one of the most important and representative historical events in the country, not only because it meant the definitive separation from the Spanish Crown, but also because marked the beginning of the development of Mexican identity, a process in which social, economic, cultural and, of course, gastronomic issues were also involved.

It is no mystery that over time alcoholic beverages have always had a very important place in a large number of societies, since they have been used as a relaxing, stimulating or anesthetic. Therefore, in times of war, it was one of the most important “tools” to be able to fight the enemy and endure the heavy and exhausting days.

Often people find the perfect motivation or a boost of courage in the consumption of such concoctions, something that was also very necessary in times of the insurgent struggle, since as detailed in the journal Anthropology Mexican of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), at that time it was called” liquid courage to the extent of reaching everyday drunkenness in full warlike conflicts”.

The favorite liquids of that time, both for those on the battlefield and for the population, were mezcal, brandy and pulque. These three drinks were the main imams that attracted the first volunteers who decided to join the independence conflict. A fact that ends the myth of heroes who faced everything for the love of the country.

This issue was not specific to Mexico, since the same source points out that “in all wars armies have used any kind of drugs to instill courage, knowing that fear immobilizes soldiers”.

It is also important to mention that many participants sought fame, glory, prestige, good salary and social recognition that was also based on a special feeling for the territory, however, it was not the main driver of many soldiers.

It is said that the use of these “stimuli” began with the indigenous people when they realized that if they were given pulque or brandy they remained more alert, active and courageous. This plan came about after, at the battle of Puente de Calderón, near Guadalajara, thousands of indigenous people “left the battlefield in terror when a hand grenade exploded in one of the carts containing gunpowder. The roar frightened so much that everyone sought to save himself, without heeding any of the officers' orders.”

Since they discovered the “powers” of these elixirs, they replicated the strategy with others to retain them, encourage them and avoid defections, uprisings and other behaviors that would affect military discipline. Gambling was also added, although all such practices were officially prohibited.

On the other hand, society was going through a time full of poverty, insecurity, mistreatment and uncertainty. For all those people, alcohol also worked as a relaxant or stimulant, because they likewise faced hunger and the fear of not knowing what would happen to the insurgent rebellions.

The historian William B. Taylor, who visited the territory at that time, even described that drunkenness had “spread in much of New Spain, reaching alarming levels”. It should be noted that the Prohibited Beverages Court existed to control the illegal manufacture and sale of these beverages.

However, in Guadalajara there was no such restriction, which caused a rebound in the production of mezcal, which left very good profits. The places where this drink was most produced were in Tequila, Amatitán and Magdalena. The resources acquired from the sale and distribution of mezcal allowed the construction of some buildings and cover the costs of introducing water to the town.

Many people traveled to this northern city to take it to other parts of the Republic. In the same way, the pulquerias were a great recreation center for the lower classes, although attempts were made to ban them many times, the villagers always opened new clandestine places.

The brandy was also listed as one of the favorite liquids, chroniclers came to narrate that there were people who liked to combine it with mezcal. Little by little, the consumption of this type of products to improve mood began to spread and normalize.

It should be noted that at the time when the war of independence broke out, it was more difficult to control the production and trafficking of intoxicating drinks because both armies, insurgents and realists, required these stimulants to encourage the combatants.

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