The Renegade Rabbit

According to an ancient Oaxacan legend, Mayahuel, the goddess of Agave and fertility, had fallen in love with a mortal and given birth at the end of a cold winter to "an infinite number" (for the Aztecs, the concept of infinity started at 400) of rabbits, each one describing a stage of intoxication.

As punishment for her love for a mortal, the gods darkened the sky over the land of Oaxaca. The bravest of the rabbits, known as the renegade, tirelessly climbed the highest mountains, traversed the desert, and followed the rivers looking everywhere in the seemingly endless stormy night until it found the fire hiding in the deepest cavern. Jumping in it, the rabbit transformed into Alebrije, the Spirit. Back under the starry sky, he stroked an agave with the fire. The fire fermented the heart of the plant into Pulque, the beverage that would become Mezcal. This is why Mezcal is now known as "the goddess' gift."

As a gesture of respect to the Oaxacan people, Mayahuel covered the hills with a wide variety of Agaves, capturing in their hearts all the different flavors she could think of. To this day, Alebrije is still running across the land, making sure the fire still consumes the agaves' harvested hearts to produce the best Mezcal ever.

If the legend reveals the origin of Mezcal, it's also a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the return of Spring with a cocktail inspired by Alebrije: The Dark Rabbit.