St. Louis is about to go deep on agave.
Copita returns this September with a multi-event celebration of traditional Mexican spirits, bringing together bartenders, producers, educators and curious drinkers for four days of cocktails, tastings, education and plenty of mezcal and tequila.
Presented by Monstera Mezcaleria, the 2026 festivities run from Thursday, Sept. 10, through Sunday, Sept. 13, with events taking place around South Grand before culminating in the main Copita Agave Spirits Festival at Das Bevo.
And this is much more than a tequila tasting.
The weekend is built around exploring the people, places and traditions behind Mexican spirits, from the dramatically different terroirs of Jalisco to mezcal-producing regions across Northern and Southern Mexico.
Thursday, Sept. 10: Carajillo Cocktail Competition Finals
Copita weekend kicks off Thursday night with some friendly competition.
The Carajillo Cocktail Competition Finals will put St. Louis bartenders to the test as they create their own interpretations of the classic coffee cocktail using Mezcal Vago and Paranubes. Guests will have the chance to sample the cocktails and help crown the winner.
Sauce Magazine is proud to serve as the presenting sponsor of the competition, kicking off a full weekend celebrating the people shaping St. Louis’ cocktail and spirits scene.
Saturday, Sept. 12: Copita Symposium
Saturday is for anyone who wants to get beyond the bottle and really understand what they’re drinking.
The Copita Symposium features three guided tasting sessions throughout the afternoon, each focused on a different part of Mexico and the people, traditions and environments shaping the spirits produced there.
Terroirs of Jalisco | 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The first session explores how elevation, climate, soil, fermentation and distillation can create wildly different spirits across Jalisco. Guests will taste nine spirits from producers including Siembra Spirits, Mezonte, Chacolo, Tequila Ocho and Caballito Cerrero.
Mezcals of the North | 1:30 to 3 p.m.
The afternoon continues with a closer look at Northern Mexico and a lineup featuring producers including Lamata, Cumbrita de la Sierra and Los Cantiles.
Mezcals of the South | 3:30 to 5 p.m.
The final symposium session heads south, exploring some of Mexico’s most celebrated mezcal traditions through 10 spirits from producers including Mezcal Vago, Zinacantán, Cuish, Rey Campero and Real Minero.
Saturday night: Buena Gente Party
After all that education, it’s time to party.
Copita takes over South Grand again Saturday night for the Buena Gente Party, a free late-night blowout running from 8 to 11:30 p.m. Consider it the official warm-up before Sunday’s main event.
Sunday, Sept. 13: Copita Agave Spirits Festival
Then comes the big one.
Copita takes over Das Bevo on Sunday, Sept. 13, for an afternoon devoted entirely to traditional Mexican spirits.
Running from noon to 3:30 p.m., the festival will feature more than 100 brands spanning tequila, mezcal and other Mexican spirits, with producers and agave experts on hand to help guests explore what’s in their glass.
For drinkers who know their favorite mezcal by village and varietal, there will be plenty to nerd out about. For everyone else, Copita is an opportunity to move past the usual tequila order and discover just how broad, regional and fascinating the world of Mexican spirits can be.
VIP ticket holders receive early entry, a handmade copita crafted by Oaxacan artist Ana Martínez and a discount on retail purchases during the festival.
Whether you make it to one tasting or turn Copita into a full weekend, this is a chance to drink something new, meet the people behind the bottles and experience one of the most exciting corners of the spirits world without leaving St. Louis.
Copita 2026
Sept. 10-13, 2026
Main festival: Sunday, Sept. 13, noon to 3:30 p.m.
Das Bevo, St. Louis
Tickets and individual event registration are available through Copita’s Eventbrite collection linked HERE.
Sauce Magazine is a media sponsor of Copita 2026 and presenting sponsor of the Carajillo Cocktail Competition Finals.