San Miguel de Allende Drinks Tasting: Mezcal, Tequila & Wine

Savor expertly paired tapas and canapés while learning insider tips in San Miguel

A 90-minute tasting masterclass in San Miguel de Allende led by a professional sommelier who walks you through the process, flavors and aromas of Mexico's most prestigious hand-crafted spirits—tequila, mezcal, sotol, bacanora, raicilla and posh—plus regional Mexican wines if you prefer. Gourmet tapas and bottled water are included; the class runs in English, Spanish or Portuguese.

The Experience

You arrive with a free afternoon or a gap in your itinerary and want to understand what makes Mexican spirits different from each other. A certified sommelier leads the group through a structured tasting, starting with the production process and moving into the flavors, aromas and qualities that separate hand-crafted mezcal from commercial tequila, and both from the lesser-known sotol, bacanora, raicilla and posh. The comparison is the point—you taste the most prestigious versions of each so the differences land.

If wine is your preference, the sommelier pivots to Mexican wines from the country's different regions, guided by international certification. Either way, four gourmet tapas and canapes arrive alongside the tastings, so you're not drinking on an empty stomach. The whole session runs 90 minutes, which is long enough to move past the first sip into actual learning without turning into an all-afternoon commitment.

The class is capped at a size that lets the sommelier answer questions and adjust the pace—you're not standing in a crowd. Minimum age is 18. The venue is wheelchair accessible, and public transportation options are nearby if you're not driving.

What’s included

• Masterclass led by a professional certified sommelier.
• tasting of hand-crafted mezcal, tequila, sotol, bacanora, raicilla and posh (or Mexican wines if you prefer).
• four gourmet tapas and canapes.
• bottled water.

Good to know

Wheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by ICAVI Tasting Room

Is this one for you?Book this if you have an afternoon free and want to move past "I like tequila" into understanding what you're actually tasting. The sommelier's certification and the small-group format mean you get real instruction, not a pour-and-chat session, and the hand-crafted spirits are the kind you won't find in every bar.

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Top questions

What's the difference between mezcal and tequila that I'll actually taste?

Mezcal and tequila both come from agave, but mezcal is made from different agave species and traditionally roasted in underground pits, giving it a smoky character that tequila—which is made only from blue agave and distilled in industrial stills—does not have. The sommelier walks you through both processes and you taste prestigious examples of each so you hear the difference in the glass.

Can I do this tasting if I don't drink alcohol?

The class centers on alcoholic beverages, so it's built for people who drink. Bottled water and gourmet tapas are included, but the learning experience is the tasting itself.

How many people will be in the group?

The class is kept small enough that the sommelier can answer questions and adjust to the group's pace, though the exact number isn't fixed in advance. You're not in a large crowd.

Do I need to know anything about spirits or wine before I come?

No. The sommelier starts with the basics—how each spirit is made, what to look for in flavor and aroma—and builds from there. The class is designed for people new to Mexican drinks and for experienced drinkers who want to deepen their knowledge.

What languages does the sommelier speak?

The class runs in English, Spanish or Portuguese, depending on the group. Confirm your language preference when you book.