Sunrise Over Sweetwater.

Good morning or whatever time of day it is for you! As the sun rises over Sweetwater Texas it means a couple of things to me. 1- I still have a heck of a lot of driving to do and 2- I’m safely inside the boundaries of West Texas. Why would that matter you ask? West Texas isn’t really a place it’s more of an imaginary dividing line for when the arid lands take over the landscape. However, I’m excited because you can be sure that just about any place I stop from here out I’ll be able to grab an ice cold Topo Chico!

Topo Chico is the best sparkling mineral water in the world. I know that’s a big claim but it’s one I’m willing to argue about, and so will most of Texas! Topo Chico was first bottled in 1895 in Monterrey Mexico at its source the Cerro del Topo Chico spring. It is a thermal mineral water that has been purified by natural process and flows through under ground springs and limestone quarries in a now inactive volcano. It is naturally effervescent but a little more bubbles are added to give it just the right boost. It is also healthy for you to drink and can help with digestion and to some a sworn hangover cure. Here is a list of the minerals and a brief description of what they may help.

• Sodium: is used to send signals to and from the brain, aids in hydration and promotes good bowel function.
• Magnesium: helps in digestion and brain function. It is also calming, and can aid in sleeping.
• Calcium: strengthens bones, works as an astringent and an antacid, regulates heart rate and is important in the transmission of nerve impulses.
• Potassium: Helps in the proper functioning of the heart, nervous system, muscles, kidneys and digestion. Aids muscle cramps.
• Manganese: stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, which give flexibility, firmness and hydration to the skin. It is an antioxidant, necessary to metabolize proteins and fats and also helps brain functions.

If that isn’t enough to spark your interest Topo Chico also comes with its own Aztec legend. Here’s the story found on the Topo Chico website.

“There was a beautiful Aztec princess who suffered a terrible disease. A disease so strange that no doctors of her father, Moctezuma I Ilhuicamina, successor in 1440 of the King Itzcoatl, had been able to cure. Desperate, the King turned to the older priests in the kingdom to find a cure for his beautiful daughter. They told him that according to the timeless stories of travelers, in a far away northern land, there were strange and hidden waters which flowed at high temperatures. Waters in which one only needed to bathe in or drink from to regain vigor, joy, strength, and refreshment. Encouraged by this news, Moctezuma I ordered an immediate expedition to take his daughter to this amazing place. After traveling long and rugged roads, the Princess and her expedition reached a fertile valley flanked by mountains. To the east, they saw a mountain with the form of woman’s face (now Cerro de la Silla) and a mole-shaped hill, from whose slopes flowed the prodigal waters. After spending some time there, taking baths and drinking from the water, the daughter of Moctezuma I, his priests, and chiefs returned to the Anahuac lands optimistic, strong, happy, and refreshed. The news about the Princess’s recovery spread throughout the kingdom and has passed from generation to generation up until modern times.“

As is the case of most legends there is truth in this. People did go to the springs for health and rejuvenation for many years. The founders of Topo Chico, decided to start bottling the waters and used bottles that resembled medicine bottles of that time. Another attracting factor of Topo Chico is the nostalgic shaped glass bottle. With it’s bluish green tint and bright yellow and red label it’s hard not fall in love with it. I particularly enjoy the shape of the larger bottle that sports a sort of thumb or finger rest on it’s neck, it truly is a work of art. The fact that Topo Chico is celebrating it’s 125th anniversary should speak enough for the beverages cult type following. Not many drinks can boast of such a legacy. Yet, it’s also interesting that outside of Mexico, Texas and a few southern states, it is relatively unknown. All that is sure to change now, as Topo Chico was acquired by Coke and has begun to get a hipster following in Austin and other cities. They have only recently delved into the flavored seltzer market but did it in a very subtle and Topo Chico like way, using just a hint of lime and grapefruit. Still for me nothing refreshes like original Topo Chico with a twist of lime and a dash of salt. This concoction hydrates the body and mind like no other beverage in the dry heat of the Arizona desert.

Many a mixologist in Texas and beyond have made libations using Topo Chico and only Topo Chico. Probably the most famous in Texas is Ranch Water, which consist of lots of ice , 2 parts tequilla, 1 part fresh lime juice and top it off with ONLY Topo Chico! You can read more about it here

All jokes and legends aside, there really is something different about this mineral water when compared to others. It has less of a bite and the bubbles feel softer on the tongue. It’s lower in sodium that other mineral waters which sometimes leave that funky aftertaste in your mouth. By now I’m sure you’re itching to run out and buy some, but where to go if you don’t live in the southwest or Mexico? Good news is you’re likely to find it in many Latin grocery stores. If you live in Rockland county you can find it at Old World Grocery and A Matter Of Health. Topo Chico’s website and the web in general have lots of recipes to try with it. Right now I’m finishing off my last gulp of Topo Chico and lime.

One more thing to leave you with is a song by Texas piano man Robert Ellis. For his album, “Texas Piano Man.” Ellis said,”“People always seem to write songs about their favorite alcohol—Jim Beam, iced down silver bullets, I wanted to play against that cliché a little bit, I mean of course we have a song about the national beverage of Texas!” For your listening pleasure here’s the song, Topo Chico by Robert Ellis .

Enjoy Topo Chico with just about any meal , but I really love it with anything hot and spicy. If you have any questions or comments please leave them in the box below. If you try Topo Chico please let me know,I’d love your feedback. If you get addicted to the stuff , sorry but it could be worse! Until next time Boone Appétit!