BEVA, based in Vallarta, advocates for cocktail culture by promoting ancient Mexican beverages, such as the raicilla from Hacienda El Divisadero, which is still produced artesanally.
The BEVA Bar Gastro Academy, recently opened in the iconic Versalles neighborhood, offers a wide bar experience. Here, you can enjoy author cocktails or attend an interesting masterclass on agave-based distillates while savoring local Puerto Vallarta cuisine.
Raicilla: The Ancestral Jalisciense Distillate
Raicilla, once a prohibited drink for many years, originates mainly in Jalisco. It holds the largest portion of its denomination of origin across 16 municipalities.
Mexican distilled spirits have captivated both nationals and foreigners. Today, raicilla is among the favorites, gaining recognition and consumption thanks to efforts to increase knowledge about this beverage, now trendy in top restaurants and bars across the country.
Raicilla Tour in Puerto Vallarta
A popular tour called the Ruta de la Raicilla allows visitors to learn about raicilla production while enjoying tastings at various taverns. One notable destination is Hacienda El Divisadero, belonging to a fifth-generation family of raicilleros in the Cabo Corrientes municipality.
International Recognition
Hacienda El Divisadero’s Raicilla received the Gold Medal under the Raicilla category at the 2021 Top World Spirit Awards in Paris, France. The panel praised its intense flavor and aroma.
Crafted from Agave angustifolia, known locally as ‘Chico Aguiar,’ this artisanal raicilla has maintained colonial production methods since the 17th century, thanks to dedicated families like Carbajal.
Founded in 1999 by Jorge Luis Carbajal’s parents, Hacienda El Divisadero aims to preserve the artisanal process of raicilla from harvest to distillation. The hacienda produces around 1,500 liters annually, promoting raicilla as a cultural beverage in Puerto Vallarta and Cabo Corrientes.
BEVA Bar Gastro Academy
BEVA, based in Puerto Vallarta, supports traditional Mexican drinks like raicilla through events, training, and gastronomic experiences. Their new venue, BEVA Bar Gastro Academy, offers a wide bar selection, author cocktails, and masterclasses on agave-based spirits while serving local Puerto Vallarta cuisine.
Mario Mendoza
As BEVA’s founder and president, Mario Mendoza highlights the raicilla’s suitability for mixology. With over 20 years of hospitality industry experience, he promotes sustainable, imaginative cocktails with rich Mexican history.
Ruta de la Raicilla
Puerto Vallarta’s popular “Raicilla Route” allows visitors to learn about and taste this ancestral beverage. Hacienda El Divisadero, a 5th-generation raicillero in Cabo Corrientes, offers a tour showcasing the artisanal process of raicilla production, from agave harvesting to distillation, accompanied by traditional meals and accommodations.
International Recognition
Jorge Luis Carbajal’s Hacienda El Divisadero raicilla won the Gold Medal in the 2021 Top World Spirit Awards held in Paris. The jury praised its distinct flavor and aroma, produced from Agave angustifolia (Chico Aguiar). This traditional colonial-era spirit is preserved by dedicated families like Carbajal’s, who maintain artisanal extraction methods passed down for centuries.
