All-Australian Margaritas have made their debut at InterContinental Hayman Island Resort during a week-long celebration of National Agave Day.

National Agave Day is held on 23 July and the private island has launched an Act of Treason Cocktail Week from 21-28 July, featuring a beachside pop-up bar and tastings at its Pacific, Amici, Aqua, Bam Bam and Bar 50 venues.

The Margarita features Act of Treason agave spirit, which is locally distilled from plants grown in Queensland’s Whitsunday region.

Nestled between Airlie Beach and Bowen, Top Shelf International’s agave farm and distillery is home to more than 600,000 Agave tequilana plants.

Hayman Island has also planted 100 agave plants and when they mature to produce the island’s own bespoke agave spirit in years to come.

InterContinental Hayman Island Resort General Manager Arpad Romandy said: “Hayman Island’s ideal topography and conditions for growing agave plants make this partnership a natural fit. With the launch of Act of Treason, we’re thrilled to celebrate with an on-island activation, introducing Hayman Island’s very own version of the All-Australian Margarita.”

The All-Australian Margarita harmoniously blends tangy citrus and subtle earthy notes and is served over ice with a
salted rim or adorned with locally sourced Queensland fruit.

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A growing number of distillers now produce agave spirits in Australia, including Top Shelf International, Agave Australis and Agaviana.

Top Shelf International’s first Australian agave spirit release under the Act of Treason label has sold out less than a day after going on sale in January.

Top Shelf International CEO Trent Fraser said: “Act of Treason symbolises the pioneering spirit of a project that will create a new region of agave spirit. The dry tropics of north Queensland are the ideal place for that to occur.

“Like many others producers, we feel there is an opportunity for agave to be shared with the world and for others to put their distinctive imprint on a category that continues to surge in popularity in Australia and overseas.

“Act of Treason has joined the new global era of agave. We’re approaching this as an opportunity to create something new and expand the horizons of a category that has been geographically limited for centuries. In many ways it’s no different to the evolution wine underwent three decades ago.

“If some feel that we’re being treasonous, then so be it. The greater crime would be not doing it all.”

Former winemaker Mark Watkins, the distiller behind Agave Australis, has planted 10,000 Mexican agave tequila plants in his father’s banana plantation on the Atherton Tablelands, west of Cairns.

His Mt Uncle Distillery produces Silver Agave Spirit, Rested Agave Spirit and Aged Agave Spirit.

Agaviana is created in Sydney’s north using Mexican agave nectar. It’s crafted by Dr Carlos Vazquez, who was inspired by both Mexican distilling traditions and flavours inspired by the Australian landscape.