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-Editorial
Baja California is poised to make a significant leap in the world of alcoholic beverages with the emergence of a new distillate made from dates—a product that promises to become the state’s emblematic drink. As production progresses, enthusiasm grows, driven by the need to create a product that represents the region’s rich agricultural and cultural heritage.
This innovative distillate arises from the vision of Natividad Jaime, a prominent date producer and pioneer in the Baja California industry. The idea began three years ago when Jaime recognized the opportunity to leverage the abundant date production in the Mexicali Valley. With the goal of transforming the sweet fruit into a top-quality product, the distillation process was initiated, seeking to rival the fame of traditional Mexican beverages like tequila, charanda, and bacanora.
Chemical engineer Alejandro Guadarrama Ramírez, a professor at the Instituto Tecnológico de Mexicali, has been instrumental in developing the technology for research and production of this distillate since May 2019. His work has allowed the product to gain popularity and recognition at entrepreneurial events and competitions. The first commercially available bottle was launched in October 2021, and since then, the distillate has been awarded two silver medals at the National Mezcal and Distillates Competition, earning its first in March 2023 and the second in March 2024.
Jaime explains that the choice of dates was not arbitrary. “We wanted to create a drink that had the essence and identity of Baja California. The date is very sweet and has a high sugar content, making it ideal for distillation,” says Jaime. Working in collaboration with the Instituto Tecnológico de Mexicali, a distillate with an impressive 80 degrees of alcohol was developed in the first distillation, a process similar to that used for tequila but uniquely employing dates instead of agave.
Despite the high initial alcohol content, the product needed to be re-distilled to achieve a suitable level for human consumption. The result is a smooth and easily digestible distillate that can be mixed in various combinations, making it ideal for modern mixology. With a focus on industrial production, Jaime aims to establish a product that is not only consumable but also represents the culture and history of the Mexicali Valley.
However, the distillate still lacks an official name. Jaime notes that creating a designation of origin is a lengthy and complex process, similar to what other iconic beverages in Mexico have faced. “We need the support of the state government and collaboration from other producers to find a name that captures the essence of this drink,” he adds.
Among the producers contributing to this exciting initiative is Baldomero Canedo Rea, who has cultivated dates in the Mexicali Valley for 25 years. Baldomero arrived in the region seeking work but was led by life to become a date producer. Now, along with his children, especially his son Alejandro, they are developing their own brand of date distillate in collaboration with other colleagues to promote this drink, which promises to represent the beautiful state of Baja California.
Diversity in production is one of the most exciting aspects of this distillate. Jaime collaborates with four or five other producers experimenting with different combinations and aging methods. Some are incorporating unique desert flavors, resulting in a spectrum of taste profiles that promise to delight consumers. Currently, ten new products are in the aging and observation process, overseen by enologist Griselda López González, a professor at the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, known for her work in crafting world-renowned wines from the Guadalupe Valley.
In November of this year, a tasting will be held to select one or two additional distillates to be launched as aged and extra-aged distillates, bringing Date Kings’ total products to three by 2025.
One of the names proposed for the new distillate is “Drink of Kings,” a title that reflects Jaime’s aspiration for this product to become a symbol of Baja California in the beverage world. It has already gained recognition in national competitions, winning silver medals in 2023 and 2024 at the National Mezcal and Maguey Brand Competition, indicating the potential for the drink to stand out in the national and global markets.
“We are creating a drink that is not just a distillate, but a symbol of identity for Baja California. We want this drink to represent Mexicali in the same way tequila represents Jalisco,” Jaime proudly states.
The production process not only focuses on product quality but also on sustainability and responsible use of the resources in the Mexicali Valley. With abundant agricultural production, Jaime’s team ensures that each step of the process, from harvesting the dates to distillation, is carried out in an environmentally respectful manner that supports the local economy.
As the date distillate moves towards its official launch, Jaime and his team continue working on obtaining a designation of origin and establishing a brand that captures the essence of Baja California. “Once we have consensus and an official name, brands will begin to emerge. We are in the initial phase, but the future looks bright for our date distillate,” he concludes.
The creation of this new beverage represents not only an economic opportunity for Baja California but also a pathway towards defining a regional identity in the world of alcoholic beverages. With the commitment of producers like Natividad Jaime and Baldomero Canedo, along with other passionate date producers and the support of experts like Alejandro Guadarrama and Griselda López, the date distillate could become a source of pride for Mexicali, offering drink enthusiasts worldwide a unique and authentic taste of this land rich in tradition.
