We’re living in the golden age of the bottled beverage. New innovations in both non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks are hitting the scene all the time, from new boozy seltzers to the untold flavors of sparkling water. For bars and restaurants looking to offer the best drinks to their guests, it can feel like a challenge just to keep up.
So how is it, with so many alternatives, that a 125-plus-year-old mineral water brand is more popular than ever?
It started, as so many good stories do, with a princess.
The Legend of Topo Chico
Back in the 1400s, the legend says, there was a beautiful Aztec princess. She was the daughter of famed Emperor Moctezuma I, the ruthless-yet-visionary ruler who consolidated the Aztec Empire. The princess became gravely ill, and none of the doctors and healers in the empire could revive her. The desperate emperor turned to his priests, who told him they had heard stories of warm waters far to the north that could restore her.
An expedition began in search of these healing waters. It was only when the princess was carried hundreds of miles to drink and bathe in the bubbling spring hidden high in the mountains that she was refreshed. After that, the fame of this miraculous water grew.
For hundreds of years, people have been attracted to these hot springs in the mountains outside Monterrey, Mexico. One of those mountains is Cerro del Topo Chico, an inactive volcano. The name “Topo Chico” means Little Mole Hill, which is what the round, domed volcano resembles from the ground. The volcano sits atop the source of the springs, surrounded by limestone that gives the water its distinctive minerality.
Crossing Borders
Well into the 20th century, people traveled to the hot springs in search of their curative properties. They stayed in the nearby Hotel Marble in Monterrey while they soaked in the springs and drank the water.
In 1895, the naturally effervescent and mineral-rich waters of Cerro del Topo Chico were first bottled for distribution. For 80 years or so, the drink was primarily distributed within Mexico. But since the 1980s, Topo Chico has made major inroads across the border into Texas, becoming one of the most beloved drinks in the Lone Star State.
Over a hundred years since it was first bottled, things have changed at the springs. The old Marble Hotel has been repurposed into Topo Chico’s headquarters. And the springs are no longer open to visitors for bathing. But you can still sip that delicious, refreshing mineral water. It may not cure what ails you like in the legend, but it will surely put a smile on your face.
(Plus, we have refrigeration now, so that’s one point for modern times.)
The Ongoing Allure of the Little Mole Hill
A bit of legend and a bit of ingenuity transformed Topo Chico from a local wonder to an international cult favorite. But why does Topo Chico continue to attract such loyalty from its fan base?
Versatile: Boozy or Booze-Free
Water isn’t always water. Minerals straight from the spring and proper carbonation make all the difference in Topo Chico. With a slight taste of citrus and brine, this water seems to quench thirst better than just about anything else. And if you can’t trust the people of Texas and Mexico to know a refreshing drink when they taste one, who can you trust?
Topo Chico Twist of Lime and Twist of Grapefruit give you the same explosive bubbles and minerals with a light splash of fruity flavor. But you can also tart up the original with some quick additions.
Add a lime squeeze and a dash of salt for an excellent source of hydration when you’re feeling dried out. Splash it on top of cold brew coffee for some bubbly caffeine, or serve a bottle alongside a shot of espresso for a gorgeous blend of silky coffee and crisp water.
For cocktail enthusiasts, you can add Topo Chico to your favorite spirit. It pairs particularly well with tequila and mezcal. Mix it with a shot of tequila and 1.5 oz. of lime juice to make a Ranch Water cocktail. Or use it in place of soda water in a Paloma or mojito.
A Vintage-Inspired Look
There’s just something vibey about a retro glass bottle, isn’t there?
Topo Chico’s branding is still delightfully old school, with a charming apothecary-style logo and metal cap. The glass bottle is the perfect shade of blue-green, and the label pops with red and yellow. The throwback packaging is almost as enticing as what’s inside.
Effortlessly Cool
When people drink other waters, they say they’re drinking water. When they drink this sparkling water, they say they’re drinking a Topo.
It’s like hot desert days in Marfa or finding the perfect hidden taco truck in Los Angeles. It’s the kind of drink you “discover” and then want to share with all your friends.
But now that it’s distributed by Coca-Cola, this long-standing southwest staple is surging out of its Mexican and Texan borders. Available in 28 states, Topo Chico is bringing its own mineral flair to much of the country.
Want to bring Topo Chico to your market? Contact us or find a distributor at here.