Mezcal and Pulque Tasting Los Hijos del Agave

Pulque is the drink that may surprise you most: at Pulquería La Canica, you sample several flavors, then choose one for a full glass. The evening continues with three mezcals from different parts of Mexico, giving you a useful introduction to two drinks with very different textures and traditions.

I like two things in particular: the chance to compare pulque flavors before choosing a full glass, and the way the tasting pairs drinks with stories about Mexico City and how mezcal is made. Guide Juan Carlos has a gift for making the evening feel like time with a friend, not a lecture.

One consideration: this is a tasting tour, not a full dinner, though Mexican snacks are ordered at the pulquería. The tour takes about two to three hours, and alcohol is central to both stops, so it suits you best if you want to sample and learn at an unhurried pace.

What makes this tasting tour worth your evening

• Pulquería La Canica starts with variety: Sample several pulque flavors, then pick one for a full glass.
• Three mezcals give you a point of comparison: Each comes from a different region of Mexico and reflects artisanal production.
• Juan Carlos makes the stories part of the evening: He shares context about the drinks and Mexico City, with a lively, personable style.
• The walk connects two neighborhoods: You begin in Tabacalera and finish in Centro, with a neighborhood stroll between stops.
• A small group keeps the tasting personal: The maximum is 10 people, and some evenings may have fewer.
• Snacks are part of the first stop: Mexican bites are ordered alongside pulque, though the tour is not presented as a meal.

Starting in Tabacalera with a glass of pulque

The meeting point is Av. de la República 67 in Tabacalera, a location near public transportation. From there, the first stop is Pulquería La Canica, a neighborhood pulquería where the pulque is described as fresh each day. That local setting matters: rather than beginning with a generic overview of Mexican spirits, you start with a drink served in a place tied to everyday neighborhood life.

Pulque is made from the fermented sap of the agave plant. Its texture and taste differ from mezcal, which is distilled. The tour’s tasting of several flavors lets you get a feel for the range before committing to a full glass. If you have never tried pulque, that choice is useful. You can sample first, notice what you like, and order a full serving of that flavor.

The pulquería stop lasts about an hour. You also order Mexican snacks, which add something savory to the tasting and make this feel more like an evening out than a quick drink demonstration. The exact snacks are not specified, so I would not count on a particular dish or on this stop replacing dinner.

The strongest reason to try pulque here is the chance to taste it in a pulquería rather than only hear about it. The tour frames the drink as a living part of Mexican food culture, not a museum piece. Your guide can help explain what to notice as you taste, and the relaxed setting gives you room to ask questions.

A small practical point: pulque is not simply another kind of mezcal. They come from agave, but the processes differ, and their textures and flavors do too. If you arrive expecting both drinks to taste alike, you will miss what makes the comparison interesting. Go with an open mind, and let the samples guide you.

Walking from Tabacalera toward Centro

The tour links its two tastings with a walk through neighborhood streets. The route begins in Tabacalera and ends in Centro, near Emilio Dondé. The walk is part of the appeal: it gives you a chance to see a little of the city between stops instead of moving directly from one bar to another.

The walk is described as pretty, and the guide shares information about Mexico City and its neighborhoods along the way. That context helps connect the drinks to the place where you are tasting them. You are not just learning a list of production terms; you are spending an evening with someone who can tie local culture and history to the city around you.

The exact route and walking distance are not specified, so plan for a neighborhood walk rather than assuming a particular sightseeing circuit. Wear shoes you are comfortable walking in, and keep in mind that the tour lasts about two to three hours overall. There is no stated transportation between stops, so the walk itself is part of the experience.

Three regional mezcals at Dos Cuerpos

The second tasting takes place at Dos Cuerpos, where mezcal experts have put together a flight of three mezcals from different regions of Mexico. The focus is on regional variety and artisanal production, including differences in distillation processes. That makes this a useful tasting even if you have tried mezcal before: three samples offer a clearer basis for comparison than a single pour.

Your guide can help you pay attention to how the mezcals differ and what to look for when tasting them. The aim is not merely to drink three samples, but to leave with a better sense of how origin and production shape what is in your glass. If you are new to mezcal, the guided format gives you a way to ask questions and learn without needing prior expertise.

The tasting is held in a beautiful old house, an atmospheric setting that adds character without turning the evening into a formal class. It is also the last stop, near Emilio Dondé in Centro. The tour ends near the operator’s favorite mezcal shop, but the information provided does not say that shopping is included or that you will receive a discount. Treat the shop’s proximity as a convenient location detail, not a promised extra.

Three mezcals are enough to make the differences worth discussing while keeping the tasting focused. Still, this is an alcohol-centered activity, and the listed tour details do not specify pour sizes. If you want to pace yourself, take your time, enjoy the conversation, and remember that you are sampling at two separate stops.

The guide and the small-group feel

The guide can make or break a tasting tour, especially when the subject includes unfamiliar drinks and local customs. Juan Carlos, also referred to as JC, is praised for his storytelling and enthusiasm. His approach is personal and informal, with an emphasis on Mexico’s culture and history as well as the drinks themselves.

That matters if you prefer conversation to a memorized speech. The tour’s appeal is not limited to tasting notes: the guide can help explain how pulque and mezcal fit into Mexican life, and what to notice in each glass. A lively guide also makes it easier to ask questions, whether you are curious about the drinks, the neighborhood, or the traditions behind them.

The maximum group size is 10. That is small enough to make conversation easier than on a large coach tour, though the actual group may vary. On some evenings, you might even have the guide to yourself. Don’t book on the assumption of a private tour, but the cap does help keep the gathering intimate.

English is offered, which makes the tour accessible if you do not speak Spanish. Confirmation is received at booking, and the experience is near public transportation. Those are useful practical points, though the exact transit stop and best route are not specified.

How to judge the value

No price is provided here, so I can’t tell you whether the tour is a bargain at a particular rate. I can say what you are paying for: two guided tastings, several pulque flavors, a full glass of your chosen flavor, three regional mezcals, Mexican snacks at the pulquería, a neighborhood walk, and cultural context from the guide.

That package has more value if you want to understand what you are tasting rather than simply order drinks on your own. You get a structured comparison and a guide who can explain how production and region matter. The group cap of 10 also supports a more conversational evening than a large, high-volume tasting.

If you already know pulque and mezcal well, the basic tasting may feel introductory, though the regional samples and local setting can still be worthwhile. If you are new to both, the sequence makes sense: first taste pulque in a pulquería, then compare three mezcals in a separate setting. The snacks help, but you should not assume they amount to dinner.

Who should book this evening

I’d choose this tour if you want to taste Mexican drinks in places that give them context, and you enjoy hearing the stories behind what is in your glass. It is especially suitable for curious beginners, couples or friends looking for a social evening, and anyone who wants a guided introduction to pulque as well as mezcal.

It may be a poor fit if you do not drink alcohol, want a full meal, or prefer a tour with a fixed sightseeing route and detailed stop-by-stop timing. The tour is built around tastings and conversation, with a neighborhood walk connecting the two venues. Its exact duration is approximate, at two to three hours.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours beforehand are not refunded, and changes within that period are not accepted. Keep that cutoff in mind when planning your evening.

Should you book the Mezcal and Pulque Tasting?

Book it if you want more than a flight of drinks: the strongest reason to go is the combination of fresh pulque at a neighborhood pulquería, three regional mezcals, and a guide such as Juan Carlos who brings local stories into the evening. You also get a walk between Tabacalera and Centro and a small-group format.

Skip it if your priority is a substantial dinner, a nonalcoholic activity, or a tightly scheduled sightseeing tour. For a first taste of pulque and an informed introduction to artisanal mezcal, though, this is a personable way to spend an evening in Mexico City.

FAQ

How long does the tour take?

It takes about two to three hours. The pulquería and mezcal stops are each listed at about one hour.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Av. de la República 67 in Tabacalera, Cuauhtémoc, Mexico City.

Where does the tour end?

It ends near Emilio Dondé in Centro, Cuauhtémoc, near the mezcal tasting.

What drinks are included?

The tasting includes several pulque flavors, a full glass of the flavor you choose, and three mezcals from different regions of Mexico.

Are snacks included?

Mexican snacks are ordered at the pulquería. The tour information does not specify which snacks or present them as a full meal.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. English is offered.

How large is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 10 participants.

Is the tour near public transportation?

Yes, it is listed as being near public transportation. A particular station or route is not specified.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted, and cancellations within that period are not refunded.