When the World Ran Dry—Only One 1942 Tequila Saved Spirits in Black and White

Wed, 06 May 2026 07:03:16 +0000

When the World Ran Dry: Only One 1942 Tequila Saved Spirits in Black and White In 1942, a global shortage transformed the way we drink—tequila vanished overnight. With wartime rationing and agricultural disruptions, Mexico’s iconic blue agave spirit became nearly impossible to produce, leaving citizens and cocktail lovers in a dry predicament. But in this stark, black-and-white moment of scarcity, one bottle of 1942’s limited-edition tequila emerged not just as a drink, but as a cultural artifact—rescuing spirits when the world ran dry. ### The Dry Period: A Global Tequila Crisis World War II drastically reshaped spirits production worldwide. Government policies prioritized fuel and food over alcohol, while agave crops suffered due to labor shortages and resource allocation. By 1942, tequila—Mexico’s revered distilled spirit—had all but vanished from shelves. Distilleries halted operations. Import restrictions left only rare reserves untouched, transforming tequila into a stalled relic of cinematic kitsch and nostalgic drinkability.