December has arrived, ushering in the Christmas Holiday Season, and I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. As we gear up to celebrate Christmas in Rocky Point, it's worth noting that the country embraces a more straightforward approach to holiday greetings, with "Feliz Navidad" being the predominant and culturally resonant Christmas greeting. Not much political correctness here.

Mexico is deeply rooted in religious traditions and there are a number of Christmas customs that go beyond what one might find in many parts of the USA. The Christmas season continues until at least January 7th, ensuring an extended period of festive spirit. The decorations and festive atmosphere are not packed away promptly and offer an extended celebration.

Throughout December, Mexico transforms into a vibrant hub of festivities, with local residents actively participating in various events and parties. The holiday season is a time of communal joy, and there's no shortage of opportunities to partake in the merriment.

In the previous 12 December newsletters that I have send out over the years are many articles about the various traditions and customs. Towards the bottom of this newsletter, you can click the previous December, and from that newsletter, the December before that, etc. So, if you want to read more about Christmas in Mexico from my newsletter's that's how to go about it.

Whale-watching season is almost upon us again and promises a spectacular display of these magnificent creatures. Based on the patterns observed in previous years, these majestic beings typically arrive in our area from mid-December to early January, remaining until late February or even March. Several boats venture out, with experienced captains consistently delivering exceptional whale-spotting experiences. Notably, captains like Oscar from Del Mar Charters have a commendable track record, boasting whale sightings on every trip for several consecutive weeks last year. For those seeking recommendations or contact information for reputable boats and captains, feel free to reach out.

While the temperature has cooled, the weather remains excellent in the sunshine. People continue to enjoy swimming and outdoor activities, and the Jacuzzis are always popular when the evenings cool. It's a common sight to witness the contrast between visitors —some  with sweaters or jackets, while others, fresh from a pool dip, sport bikinis or swim trunks. This scene happens every winter, adding a touch of warmth and humor to the season.

As we revel in the holiday spirit, let's not forget the spirit of giving. If you find yourself in town, consider contributing to our Food Drive and/or Toy Drive. Every donation, big or small, makes a meaningful impact. Additionally, there's an ongoing need for winter jackets and blankets during the cooler months, so feel free to drop them off at any of the Sonoran Resorts sales offices to support those in need. Your generosity can truly make a difference in spreading the warmth of the season.

Enjoy this beautiful month, come to Rocky Point if you can, and if you need anything don't hesitate to ask. Let me put my experience and expertise to work for you, and remember, as always, I've been here full-time for 16 years and I am more than happy to help you with whatever you need, whether Sonoran Resorts related or not.

Just give me a call or send me an email any time and I will do my very best to help you. If I can't help you myself, I'm sure that I can point you in the right direction and help find you someone who can. 

Besides the links below, you can our listings at the following:

www.sonoranstar.com

www.sonoranresorts.mx

www.sonoranresortsresales.com

AMPI Puerto Penasco MLS

Point 2 Agent Multinational MLS

Pick up a handout at any of our Sonoran Resorts

Scottsdale Barrett Jackson Show

Various Real Estate and Trade shows in AZ, NV, and CA

www.SonoranStar.com

NOW SELLING!

Progress Continues on the New Sonoran Star Resort!

The Sonoran Star Resort is progressing at an impressive pace, with significant strides made in its development. While a substantial amount of work has been completed, most of it has been below ground, laying the foundation for the condo towers. The anticipation is finally over, and very soon Tower #1 will start to ascend, floor by floor.

For those who haven't visited our Star sales office and model in Rocky Point, we invite you to explore the progress firsthand. Even if you've been before, a return visit is worthwhile. Take a short CanAm ride to the build site to witness the remarkable advancements and enjoy the breathtaking views from the resort location. The markings for the lazy river and the outlines of Towers #4 and #5 offer a glimpse of the spectacular views awaiting Tower #1 residents.

With over 90 dedicated employees currently working on construction of the new resort, the workforce continues to grow weekly. As each story is added, and particularly with the commencement of Tower #2 construction, we anticipate a considerable increase in the number of workers. Soon, we will have at least 400 employees diligently contributing to the construction on a daily basis, ensuring that the Sonoran Star Resort is completed well within the expected delivery dates. Building on the success of our previous four resorts, all delivered ahead of schedule, we are committed to maintaining our track record of timely delivery with the Sonoran Star. Hope to see you here soon! 

“Bikers” Fill the Streets of Puerto Peñasco

With extravagant motorcycles adapted and adorned with drawings of “Spider-Man”, “Chuky”, skulls, among others, thousands of “bikers” participated in the “Rocky Point Rally 2023” , leaving a great economic benefit to Puerto Peñasco, reported Lizette Daniela Ibarra.

The director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau (OCV) of Rocaport, stated that there were thousands of people, apart from the “bikers”, who enjoyed this event in person as well.

She said that the “Rocky Point Rally 2023” was classified as very successful for tourist activity in this port since there were more than eight thousand “bikers” who exhibited their striking, powerful and roaring motorcycles through the different streets of the port, mainly in the area of the boardwalk and surrounding clubs.

Motorcycle clubs from Nayarit, Sinaloa, Sonora, Durango and Chihuahua, as well as the states of Arizona, Texas, California and Colorado, of the United States, arrived, she noted.

There was a very complete program of music, charity activities, the traditional parade and of course a lot of fun in the face of all the benefits offered by the best beach destination in the Northwest of Mexico, which is Puerto Peñasco,” she highlighted.

In total, more than 23 thousand tourists attended the “Rocky Point Rally 2023”, which generated a high hotel occupancy and an economic benefit of 24 million pesos, the director of the Rocky Point OCV detailed, observing that something very important is that the multi-day event resulted in no serious injuries or deaths.

Come and enjoy the nautical Christmas parade on December 15th. A parade of colorfully decorated boats is a great way to enjoy your evening and get in the mood for Christmas.

The adrenaline and excitement are back at the Los Patos track, with the Sand Drags sporting event organized by the Government of Puerto Peñasco and Peñasco Racers to benefit DIF Municipal and Firefighters.

We invite you to enjoy the car show on December 2nd at 6 pm and the great Sand Drag event on December 3rd at Los Patos track!

Barb's Dog Rescue has received another large donation of dog food, given by a very generous anonymous donor. The shipment was left at the Why Not Travel Store in Why, AZ. If you are coming to Rocky Point, please stop by and grab a bag of food and drop it off at Barb's on your way into town. Only one bag of food is allowed per car, so they often rely on good people to bring the load, one bag at a time.

The Sonoran Resorts are holding a Toy Drive to gather new toys to be donated to the less fortunate kids in Rocky Point so that they have a special surprise for Christmas. Please consider donating one or more new toys next time you’re in town. You can drop them at any of our Sonoran Resorts sales offices. Better yet, drop them at the Sonoran Star sales office and model and take a tour :)

City Administration and OOMISLIM to Solve Dump Burning Problem

Mayor Jorge Pivac explained that the city is solving the environmental and health problems generated by the old municipal garbage dump with the beginning of the encapsulation work that will lead to its closure in the coming months by the government of Puerto Peñasco and the OOMISLIM, reported Fernando Mendoza, director of the OOMISLIM.

He indicated that on instructions from Mayor Jorge Pivac, OOMISLIM, with its own dumping vehicles, pipes, and machinery began work in the garbage dump with the end result being encapsulation of the garbage with a base of caliche and with treated water for definitive sealing.​

Black and White Ball Very Successful

Attendees enjoyed enjoyed a great evening at the Black and White Ball, which took place on the night of Saturday, November 18, where the president of DIF Municipal, Martha Carrillo de Pivac, and Mayor Jorge Pivac Carrillo crowned Arleth Pérez as the elected queen of this year’s gala.

This traditional event that is held to raise funds that will be allocated to more than 230 scholarships for students. Los “Espectaculares de Mexicali provided the music and created a great atmosphere among the attendees who enjoyed a dinner and a great fellowship provided live music.

The president of DIF Penasco thanked the attendees who joined this event for their support while contributing to young people from Peñasco, helping them to continue their studies.

Large Number of Migrants Strain Border Patrol Capabilties

AS of Monday, November 27, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) was forced to temporarily relocate some of the agents who normally work in Lukeville, Arizona , adjacent to the Sonoyta checkpoint in response to helping to protect areas which are more vulnerable to border crossers. This reduction in manpower will, in turn, cause crossing delays during very busy times, warned Mayor Jorge Pivac Carrillo.

The Mayor of Puerto Peñasco stated that he was notified of this temporary change by the deputy director of the port of Lukeville, Officer Rodríguez. The greater influx of illegal border crossers will require the number of open lanes to be reduced for some amount of time.

He stated that, beginning immediately, the crossing from Monday to Thursday will  only one lane open from Mexico into the United States, and from Friday through Sunday, there will be two lanes open. Obviously, this will affect traffic leaving Rocky Point by car and it is recommended that visitors plan their departure times to minimize waits at the border.

Fortunately, he said, these next few months are considered the slower season and there are fewer crossings during this time.  The Mayor stated that it is expected that the reduction in personnel at the Lukeville, Arizona, port of entry will be temporary and will not last for long, so the actual effect on tourism is expected to be minimal. 

Puerto Penasco Continues Work on Promoting Tourism

Puerto Peñasco is the most important tourist destination in the Northwest of Mexico, according to Martín Martínez González, director of Municipal Tourism.

"We are working with the other levels of government and society on projects that will give us a competitive edge over other destinations," he said. "The full support of Mayor Jorge Pivac Carrillo means we can take advantage of many opportunities."

Puerto Peñasco is a tourist destination that attracts more than 2 million tourists per year, and the Municipal Tourism Directorate is committed to making this number grow.

The director highlighted that Puerto Peñasco has markets that are already in place, as well as potential new markets. To make this happen, he called on interested parties to join forces with the Municipal Tourism Directorate.

Martínez González stated that the main objective is not only to say that Puerto Peñasco is the best destination in the Northwest of Mexico, but to really stand out as such in reality, for which, without a doubt, there is much to do.

He explained that it is essential to work on promotion, but it is also essential to promote a better tourist culture among all the inhabitants of Puerto Peñasco, since it must be understood that tourism is already the main pillar of the economy of this municipality.

Navy Rescues Two Local Fishermen

Members of the Mexican Navy carried out the rescue of two fishermen who were adrift aboard a small boat named "Valentina”. The two fishermen from Puerto Peñasco were rescued safely on Monday, after the smaller boat they were crewing experienced mechanical problems and began drifted in the Sea of Cortez.

Through a Statement the Secretary of the Navy, acting as Coast Guard, reported that personnel belonging to the Sixth Naval Zone provided support to two males who went out fishing and did not return in a timely manner.

He specified that the men were found adrift aboard a small fishing boat named “Valentina” in the vicinity of the town of El Desemboque approximately 57 nautical miles southeast of Puerto Peñasco.

After receiving a distress call, the immediate departure of a Defender-type vessel was ordered and managed to locate the smaller vessel named “Mía Valentina” and the crew members within a short time. Naval personnel carried out a medical examination on both people, finding them in good health transferred them to Puerto Peñasco.

The Sixth Naval Zone makes their telephone numbers 638-383-1691 and 638-112-0105 available to the public for emergency response at sea. Likewise, the Secretary of the Navy shares the following contact number: 800 (627-4621), 800-NAVY1.

JPMorgan Chase CEO Lauds Mexico as Top Investment Destination

The CEO of JPMorgan Chase has lauded Mexico as a nearshoring and business destination, saying that it may be the best country in the world in which to invest.

In an interview with El Financiero Bloomberg TV during a visit to Mexico this week, Jamie Dimon was asked about the attractiveness of Mexico as an investment destination and the challenges the country needs to address to take full advantage of the nearshoring opportunity.

 “I think it’s one of the great opportunities. … If you had to pick a country this might be the number one opportunity,” he said. Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase for the past 18 years, said that Mexico could become an even more attractive investment destination by making improvements in a range of areas, but stressed that the country already has a lot of positives.

“Remember you already have very capable companies here, universities, infrastructure, technology,” he told El Financiero Bloomberg. “… The better you do with infrastructure, the better you do with affordable energy costs, the better you do with universities, the better you do with good policy, [Mexico] will be better for that, but you already have a lot of it [and] you already have more companies moving operations here,” Dimon said.

For the bank he leads — one of the largest in the world — “Mexico is a critical market,” the CEO said. “We’ve been here for 120 years, we’ve been all over Latin America for well over 100 years. … We invest for the long run. We’ve doubled or tripled our capital here in the last six years. We cover more clients and private banking, investment banking, asset management, so our commitment is total,” he said.

Dimon, who met with Mexican business leaders while he was in Mexico City, identified manufacturing, including advanced manufacturing, and agriculture as among the sectors that have the greatest opportunity to benefit from the growing nearshoring phenomenon, in which companies establish a presence in Mexico to be close to the lucrative U.S. market while taking advantage of a range of favorable factors here, such as competitive labor costs.

Indeed, numerous foreign manufacturing companies have recently announced plans to establish or expand operations in Mexico, including Tesla, Ternium and Kawasaki.

Foreign direct investment in Mexico is on the rise, but Dimon believes there is significant scope to attract more capital from abroad.

“I look at your capital market — just to give you some numbers your GDP is US $1.3 trillion in Mexico, your market cap is $400 billion,” he told El Financiero Bloomberg presenter Susana Sáenz.

“It could and should be a lot more than that so there’s a huge opportunity to have capital markets grow here, to bring both more foreign direct investment and [to have] more investment here,” Dimon said before praising Mexico’s tech sector.

“I have met with a bunch of high-tech companies that are very impressive, so I think you’ll see that grow,” he said.

Later in the interview, Dimon said that “Mexico should aspire to do much more” to grow its economy.

“It’s about policy, you’ve already mentioned infrastructure but it’s also about work skills, effective regulation, transparency, corporate governance, rapid permitting. It’s all those things [and] consistency of law that have a country grow,” he said.

“And the important part of having a country grow, it helps all of the citizens. There are more taxes, you have more wherewithal. It’s not just for big companies that you want to grow an economy, you really want it for everybody, every job created is a job for someone,” Dimon said.

Data published in late October showed that Mexico’s economy grew 3.5% in the first nine months of the year compared to the same period of 2022, exceeding expectations.

One person who has similar views to Dimon about Mexico’s economic potential is Nuevo León Governor Samuel García, a presidential aspirant who has courted investment from several foreign firms. He said earlier this year that the nearshoring phenomenon could spur annual economic growth of up to 10% in Mexico. While there are “circumstances of crisis and risk” around the world, “the planets are aligning for our country,” García said at a business forum in March.

Claudia Shienbaum, the ruling Morena party’s candidate for the 2024 presidential election, said in August that nearshoring will help drive significant economic growth during the six-year period of the next federal government, while Xóchitl Gálvez, candidate for the Broad Front for Mexico opposition bloc, has described the relocation of foreign firms to Mexico as “the country’s best opportunity” for growth.

A Letter from Esperanza Orphanage Volunteer, Michelle Auer

2023 Tourism Up 5% over 2022

For restaurant owner Manuel Palacio Jiménez, 2023 will end with good numbers in terms of the influx of touris. From the month of September to date thousands of visitors have visited this city due to vacation periods and special events as was the Motorcycle Rally, Travesía por el Desierto, the Peñasco Baseball Cup, the Peñascazo, among others, as stated by Palacio Jiménez. In these three months, Peñasco has seen a very large number of vacationers, both national and foreign, who chose our port city to enjoy the festivities and vacation periods.

October began with “Fall Break”, which is the autumn holidays in the USA. Columbus Day, also at the beginning of October, attracted many of visitors. The Great Desert Race, then the Peñascazo followed, and in November the day of the dead attracted of tourists. Charanga Soap Box Derby followed, a fun and family-friendly event where attendees enjoyed go carts with live music, souvenirs, raffles and a crazy race.

The Rocky Point Rally was an enormous hit this year, and it was exciting to see how much fun everyone had. There were 8,000 motorcyclists who came and brought with them a great economic benefit and number of visitors during that weekend.

Another North American holiday, Thanksgiving, also brought in a significant number of vacationers due to the celebrations they usually do.

The month of December is the perfect time to head to Puerto Peñasco. On December 1, the Southern Arizona Desert Racing will be taking place. This is a race for Class 10 vehicles, ½ 1600s and UTVs. Also, on December 13th there's the Sea and Land Parade 2023, which includes boats decorated with Christmas lights and details that parade along the shoreline. The route starts at the port and ends at the hotel area and Malecón.

The end of the year is looking very good for this port, which is why Manuel Palacio points out that a positive scenario has been seen in the tourist industry in this port, both on weekends and during the week. This influx is not going to end soon, as hotels have reported from 70 to 90% occupancy figures for weekends. This influx will continue with upcoming events.

Mexican Exports Reach Record High of Nearly US $500B This Year

Mexico is on track to record its best year ever for exports after the value of shipments sent abroad in October increased 5.6% compared to the same month of 2022.

Mexican exports were worth US $51.97 billion in October, the national statistics agency INEGI reported Monday, lifting the cumulative total for 2023 to $493.51 billion.

The figure for the first 10 months of the year is a record high and an improvement of 3% compared to the same period of 2022.

INEGI data shows that oil exports increased 14.1% annually in October to $3.19 billion, while non-oil exports rose 5.1% to $48.77 billion. The latter contributed to around 94% of Mexico’s export total last month.

Manufacturing exports increased 5.3% in October to $46.37 billion, equivalent to 89% of the total and 95% of the non-oil total.

Within that category, auto exports surged 20.9% to $17.66 billion while non-auto exports fell 2.5% to $28.7 billion.

Gabriela Siller, director of economic analysis at Banco Base, said that the auto sector export growth could have been higher if auto workers in the U.S. hadn’t gone on strike between mid September and late October.

“It was a good month, but it could have been better,” she said.

Agricultural exports spiked 12.3% to $1.71 billion in October, while mining exports decreased 15.1% to $698.8 million.

Mining exports from Mexico declined in October (above is the Peñasquito gold mine in Zacatecas). (ADOLFO VLADIMIR /CUARTOSCURO.COM)

INEGI noted that avocado exports were up 37.6% compared to October 2022, while shipments of citrus fruits and tomatoes increased 32.4% and 20.9%, respectively.

In contrast, exports of raw coffee beans and frozen shrimp both declined by over 60% on an annual basis.

Non-oil exports contributed to 94% of the $493.51 billion in export revenue in the first 10 months of the year. They increased 4.5% to $465.33 billion, while oil exports declined 16.3% to $28.17 billion.

Manufacturing exports increased 4.5% to reach $439.44 billion. Auto exports also drove the export growth recorded between January and October, increasing 15.2% to $156.61 billion. Non-auto manufacturing exports fell 0.6% to $282.83 billion.

Mexico’s agricultural exports increased 4.3% to $18.08 billion, while mining exports rose by the same percentage to reach $7.8 billion.

INEGI data shows that just over 83% of Mexico’s export income is derived from shipments sent to the United States. Just under 17% comes from exports sent to the rest of the world, including Canada, China, Germany and South Korea.

The value of imports to Mexico rose 1.8% annually in October to $52.22 billion. The import of intermediate goods – inputs used in the production of other goods – contributed to about three-quarters of that amount, while consumer goods accounted for around 15%.

The value of imports between January and October was $503.84 billion, a 0.6% decline compared to the same period of 2022. The contributions of intermediate goods and consumer goods to the total was very similar to that seen in October.

Fuel imports declined 29.3% to $45.57 billion in the first 10 months of the year, allowing Mexico to record a slight decrease in its overall spending on foreign goods. President López Obrador is aiming to make Mexico self-sufficient for fuel, but the data shows there is still some way to go.

Non-oil imports – made more accessible to Mexican consumers due to the appreciation of the peso this year – increased 3.6% between January and October.

Mexico recorded a trade deficit of $10.33 billion between January and October, a reduction of 62.7% compared to that recorded for the same period of 2022.

The deficit in October was $252.5 million, a drop of 87.9% compared to a year earlier.

Help CEDO Continue Caring for Sea Turtles

YOU have the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to CEDO's mission to ensure a sustainable future for sea turtles and their hatchlings!

What does your donation empower?

• SUSTAINABLE OCEANS:

Sea turtles have been instrumental in preserving the health of our planet's oceans for over 100 million years.

They play vital roles in maintaining vibrant coral reef ecosystems and transporting essential nutrients from the sea to our coastal shores.

• HUMAN TALENT:

CEDO's dedicated staff undergo rigorous training to care for the sea turtles that grace the shores of Puerto Peñasco and their precious hatchlings. We tirelessly work to improve legislation, mitigate climate change threats, expand protected natural areas, and enhance our conservation methods.

• EDUCATION:

CEDO's team educates the public and volunteers, ensuring adherence to local regulations regarding wildlife interaction, protection of sea turtle habitats, and respecting nesting sites.

Join us in this exciting day of giving! Spread the word to friends and family who share your passion for making a positive impact.

¡REMEMBER, YOUR SUPPORT IS THEIR FUTURE!

DONATE NOW

And be a part of something truly remarkable!

give.cedo.org/turtles

Peso Starts the Week with Appreciation Against the US Dollar

The Mexican peso almost reached 17 to the US dollar on Monday morning, but subsequently weakened to trade at 17.13 to the greenback at 12 p.m. Mexico City time.

Bloomberg data showed that the peso appreciated to 17.03 to the dollar early Monday after closing at 17.11 last Friday. The 17.03 exchange rate was the peso’s best position since late August.

The El Financiero newspaper reported that the peso strengthened on the expectation that the United States Federal Reserve will not raise interest rates at its final monetary policy meeting next month and will begin making cuts in 2024.

The Fed’s funds rate is currently set at a 5.25%-5.5% range, while the Bank of Mexico’s benchmark rate has remained at a record high 11.25% since it was raised to that level in March.

Analysts have cited the significant difference between the two rates as one factor that has contributed to the strengthening of the peso in 2023 after it started the year at about 19.5 to the greenback.

Financial consultancy Roga Capital said Monday that “the recent appreciation of the Mexican currency continues to be attributed to the optimism generated by a possible end to the cycle of interest rate increases by the Federal Reserve.”

Mexico’s central bank has held a high benchmark rate of 11.25% since March, which is cited as one reason for the strengthening of the peso. (Shutterstock)

Gabriela Siller, director of economic analysis at Mexican bank Banco Base, said on the X social media platform that the “wide” gap between interest rates in Mexico and the United States “is one of the factors” that allowed the peso to appreciate on Monday morning, but added that “the possibility that the differential” will narrow subsequently weakened the currency.

She also said that when the USD:MXN exchange rate is close to 17, investors “take currency hedges and buy dollars in advance, as greater volatility is expected in 2024.”

“This increases the demand for dollars and the exchange rate increases,” Siller added.

One key piece of data that could affect the USD:MXN exchange rate this week is the Personal Consumption Expenditures index for October, to be released in the United States on Thursday. The index is the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge.

At home, the Bank of Mexico will publish its third-quarter report on Wednesday, in which it will offer updated forecasts on economic growth and an outlook on inflation. The bank’s board will hold its final monetary policy meeting of the year on Dec. 14, but is expected to leave the key interest rate unchanged.

An initial cut to the 11.25% rate is considered likely in the first or second quarter of 2024, provided the downward trend in inflation seen throughout most of 2023.

Cocktails Made with Mezcal, the Ancestral Mexican Drink

The popular saying is, “Mezcal doesn’t get you drunk, it makes you magical,” and who are we to argue? Unlike its cousin tequila, mezcal on its own will not produce a hangover for most people. A strong, quick buzz, though? Yes. That’s because mezcal converts into polysaccharide sugar, which begins disintegrating immediately upon contact with the tongue. Other alcoholic beverages, including tequila, convert into monosaccharide sugars, which must be processed by the liver, resulting in hangovers. If you mix mezcal and other alcohol, chances are you’ll have a heck of a hangover the next day.

The similarities to tequila start and end with the fact that both are made from the agave plant. Tequila is technically a type of mezcal and can only be made from Weber blue agave. Mezcal, on the other hand, can be made from up to 50 different kinds of agave, so its taste, blends and alcohol content vary wildly.

Both spirits have the coveted Denomination of Origin designation, meaning they can only officially be produced in certain areas, in the same way that Champagne must come from the Champagne region of France and the name Parmigiano Reggiano can only be given to a certain kind of cheese made in a certain part of northern Italy. Mezcal is made in nine Mexican states: Oaxaca, Durango, Puebla, Guanajuato, Michoacan, Guerrero, San Luis Potosi, Zacatecas and Tamaulipas. By law, a spirit only needs to be 51% agave to count as tequila, although high-quality brands can be up to 100% agave. Perhaps it’s because most mezcals are 90-100% agave that magical qualities are attributed to it!

Mezcals are defined in three categories according to how they’re processed: mezcal, mezcal artesanal and mezcal ancestral. Mezcal is the most commercial and industrial, and those varieties will cost less than artesanal and ancestral, which follow age-old methods, made by hand and cooked in clay pots over fire or pit ovens. Buy the best you can afford, or splurge on a tasting at a mezcal bar to fully enjoy the range of flavors.

Mezcal is best enjoyed slowly and purely, unadulterated by mixers or other alcohols. It has a distinctive smoky taste – the result of roasting the agave core, or piña, before pressing – a host of subtle flavors. Mezcal is not meant for chugging. Citrus – whether orange, lime, or grapefruit – pairs well with it and helps balance the palate; a mezcalero or knowledgeable bartender can be helpful in exploring various kinds of mezcal.

Mezcal Dirty Martini

4 Castelvetrano olives, for garnish*

4 oz. (120ml) mezcal

1 oz. (30ml) Cointreau or Curaçao

1 oz. (30ml) fresh lime juice

1½ oz. (45ml) olive brine*

4 dashes orange bitters

Chill two martini glasses. Thread two cocktail picks with two olives each.

In a cocktail shaker, place mezcal, Cointreau or Curacao, lime juice, olive brine and bitters, then fill 2/3 full with ice. Shake until well chilled, about 15 seconds. Strain into chilled glasses, garnishing each with a cocktail pick. Serve immediately.

If you can’t find Castelvetrano olives, consider halving the olive brine and adding more to taste, as salt levels vary drastically.

Pink Lady

1½ oz. Aperol

½ oz. mezcal

3 oz. prosecco

1½ oz. soda water

Lemon for garnish

Fill a large wineglass about three-quarters full with ice. Add all ingredients garnish with a lemon twist and serve.

Mezcal Royale Punch

Just in time for holiday gatherings!

6-8 limes

¾ cup sugar

1½ cups / 12 oz. blanc vermouth

¾ cup / 6 oz. mezcal

¾ cup / 6 oz. Cognac or brandy

3 cups / 24 oz. club soda

1 (750-milliliter) bottle cold, dry sparkling red wine, Lambrusco or sparkling rosé

Peel 4 limes; place peels in a medium bowl if using a muddler or a medium jar if using the end of a rolling pin to muddle. Reserve the limes. Add the sugar to the peels and work it in until they start to turn slightly translucent, about 2 minutes. Set aside at room temperature for at least 2 hours or overnight.

Juice the reserved limes to yield about ¾ cup juice; juice more if needed. Add juice to the lime peel mixture. Stir – or cover and shake the jar – until sugar dissolves. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer, pressing on solids, and transfer to a large bowl. This can also be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.)

Add vermouth, mezcal, Cognac and 2 cups cold water; stir to combine. Pour mixture into resealable bottles or jars, cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours.

To serve, pour the mixture into a large punch or serving bowl. Add club soda and stir gently to combine. Fill individual punch glasses with ice and ladle punch into the glasses; top each with a splash of sparkling red wine and a lime slice. Makes 18-20 (4-oz.) drinks

Pancho Villa’s golden Gun to be Auctioned

A golden gun that once belonged to famed Mexican revolutionary Francisco “Pancho” Villa will be sold at auction, with an expected sale price between US $650,000 and $950,000.

That’s according to the Rock Island Auction Company of Bedford, Texas, which is running the “Premier Firearms Auction” for three days starting Dec. 8.

Villa’s gun is a gold-plated, first-generation Colt Single Action Army Revolver. It has carved pearl grips and two inscriptions of Villa’s name, including one on its backstrap that reads, “Al General Francisco Villa/de/su División del Norte.”

The gun comes with authentication; factory records confirm it was shipped on April 18, 1917 to the pawn shop City Loan & Jewelry Co. in El Paso, Texas, an area filled with Villa allies.

Joseph B. Ravel, the owner of the store, sold guns to Pancho Villa, and on one occasion, U.S. Secret Service agents investigated him after Villa made a purchase at his store. His nephew, Sam, also sold guns and had ties to Mexican revolutionaries, including Villa.

Mexico has designated 2023 as “The Year of Francisco Villa” marking 100 years since “The People’s Revolutionary” was assassinated in a shootout on July 20, 1923 after being ambushed in Parral, Chihuahua.

Villa remains one of the most famous and popular figures in Mexican history, a Robin Hood–style folk hero remembered as a defender of the common people against the rich and powerful. However, Villa and his band of revolutionaries are also known for a run of murderous cruelty that brought retaliation from both the U.S. and Mexican armies, neither of which managed to capture him.