The 9th Annual Festival of Raicilla Dama Juana

The Festival de Raicilla Dama Juana is an annual celebration of raicilla, a traditional agave spirit from the Mexican state of Jalisco. The festival highlights the culture, history, and craft behind this unique regional drink.

Friday Schedule:

2:00 pm Opening Ceremony

2:30 pm Guided Tour

3:00 pm Mariachi My City

4:00 pm Roped Floral Twisting

5:00 pm Pre-Hispanic Dance

7:00 pm Cache Group (Cumbia Style)

What Raicilla Is

Raicilla is a cousin of tequila and mezcal, made from wild or cultivated agave. Unlike tequila, which must use blue agave, raicilla can be made from several agave varieties and is typically produced in small batches using traditional methods in the mountains and coastal areas of western Jalisco.

For many years it was produced informally and sometimes illegally, which added to its mystique. In recent years it gained official recognition and a Denomination of Origin, similar to tequila and mezcal.

Why It’s Called “Dama Juana”

The name refers to the traditional large glass jug used to store and serve raicilla, called a Dama Juana (similar to a demijohn). Historically, raicilla was transported and sold in these big glass containers.