5 thoughts on “At a Mexican pulqueria (tequila bar), circa 1900”
This is around the corner from house (not really, but not far off, either). Pulque packs a wallop. It is fermented agave juice, but unlike tequila it isn’t distilled. It is rather thick (ok, slimy) and bitter. It is most popular “de sabor,” or flavored with fruit. Young pulque is the absolutely delightful aguamiel, which is a little bubbly and not as alcoholic. Pulque and aguamiel are served in clay mugs, always chipped and wonderfully authentic. The younger generation aren’t drinking much pulque, but historically it was very popular, especially in Mexico City.
I drank some pulque when I was in central Mexico (Cholula/Puebla) for close to 6 months. I thought it was the most foul tasting thing I have ever put in my mouth. But… the group/delegation I was with was meeting with a mayor of a small city up in the mountains. It was part of a very public greeting ceremony outside in the central plaza and I had to be polite and drink it. All of it. Fake it till you make it, baby. Oh! That was so disgusting. But everyone has different tastes.
MATTHEW'S ISLAND 
This is around the corner from house (not really, but not far off, either). Pulque packs a wallop. It is fermented agave juice, but unlike tequila it isn’t distilled. It is rather thick (ok, slimy) and bitter. It is most popular “de sabor,” or flavored with fruit. Young pulque is the absolutely delightful aguamiel, which is a little bubbly and not as alcoholic. Pulque and aguamiel are served in clay mugs, always chipped and wonderfully authentic. The younger generation aren’t drinking much pulque, but historically it was very popular, especially in Mexico City.
I drank some pulque when I was in central Mexico (Cholula/Puebla) for close to 6 months. I thought it was the most foul tasting thing I have ever put in my mouth. But… the group/delegation I was with was meeting with a mayor of a small city up in the mountains. It was part of a very public greeting ceremony outside in the central plaza and I had to be polite and drink it. All of it. Fake it till you make it, baby. Oh! That was so disgusting. But everyone has different tastes.
Yep, it’s an acquired taste. I’m not crazy about the stuff, but I would certainly try pulque flavored with fruit, like guayaba.
I would not drink that stuff again unless it was flavored with a million dollars.
If I run into million dollar pulque I’ll give you a holler.