Sotol is a clear Mexican spirit distilled from a group of plants of the Dasylirion genus. The plants are known as sotol in Spanish, while the most common English term is the desert spoon. Sotol is an ancient Mexican spirit, often dubbed as a close relative to tequila and mezcal.
It is mainly produced in Chihuahua. The drink is made by roasting, fermenting, and then distilling piña—the center of the plant. The final result is a drink with a smoky character similar to mezcal. The flavor is smooth and mellow, and the drink has a long-lasting, warming finish. In Mexico, sotol is served neat, and it should be sipped.