Ah, tequila. That sweet nectar of the gods, that amber-hued elixir that makes you feel like you can conquer the world (or at least the dance floor). But where did this magical elixir come from? Let’s take a quick trip through history, tequila-style.

Legend has it that the ancient Aztecs were the first to discover the wonders of the agave plant, which they used for everything from food to medicine to making a strong drink they called “pulque.” Fast forward a few centuries to the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors, who brought with them the art of distillation. Voila! Tequila was born.

But it wasn’t until the 18th century that tequila really took off, thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit (pun intended) of the Cuervo and Sauza families, who established the first commercial tequila distilleries. By the early 19th century, the town of Tequila had become the epicenter of tequila production, and the rest is history.

Of course, there have been some bumps along the way. Prohibition in the United States put a serious damper on tequila consumption in the early 20th century, and the Mexican government had to step in to regulate production and protect the authenticity of this beloved spirit. But today, tequila is more popular than ever, with a dizzying array of styles and flavors to choose from.

So next time you raise a glass of tequila, take a moment to appreciate the history and tradition that goes into every sip. And then go ahead and conquer that dance floor. You’ve earned it.