In Mexico, the homeland of Tequila, people often drink it without special precautions or accompanied with 'Sangrita'. Outside of Mexico, it is more common to drink Tequila with salt and a wedge of lime (or lemon). These ingredients are used to compensate for the too sour taste of the poorer quality Tequila and are consumed following a certain order that we explain below.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: American Style with Lime or Lemon
Step 1. Lick the back of the hand between the thumb and forefinger
Step 2. Place a small amount of salt in that area
The saliva will help stick it to the skin.
Step 3. Hold a lemon or lime wedge between your thumb and forefinger, using the same hand you put the salt on
Step 4. Exhale, lick the salt, drink the shot of tequila and take a bite of the lime wedge
Many people prefer to bite the lime before they breathe, so as not to taste too much of the liqueur.
- When you drink from the glass, put your head back and try to swallow the liquid in one gulp. This is the traditional way to drink a 'shot'.
- Try using pineapple juice as a substitute for lime, with the aim of dulling the flavor of the tequila. Drink the tequila but, before inhaling again, drink a 'shot' of pineapple juice, it will lighten the flavor of the liqueur.
Method 2 of 2: Mexican Style with Sangrita
Step 1. Making sangrita is a great way to enjoy Tequila
The term 'sangrita' literally means 'little blood', and the drink owes its name to its color. Sangrita is a non-alcoholic drink that is prepared by mixing the following ingredients in a bowl, before serving, put it to cool in the refrigerator:
- 240 ml of fresh orange juice
- 30 ml of fresh lime juice
- 5 ml of grenadine
- 12 drops of hot sauce (Cholula sauce is best)
Step 2. Pour the 'Sangrita' into shot glasses, so that each glass of tequila is paired with one of 'Sangrita'
Step 3. Serve the 'Sangrita' accompanying it with some tequila blanco
Traditionally 'Sangrita' is used to dampen the pungent taste of low quality tequila. However, it can also be paired with reposado tequila.
Step 4. Sip, don't drink it all in one gulp
Mexican natives prefer to slowly sip their tequila accompanied by a sip of sangrita.
Step 5. If you want to make what's called 'The Mexican Flag' add another shot to fill it with lime juice
The combination of the three shots, or rather the color of the three drinks, perfectly describes the colors of the Mexican flag: red for the sangrita, white for the tequila and green for the lime juice.
Advice
- A fun variation is to invite another person to hold the salt on their hand (or other body part).
- It is also possible to use the technique which is referred to in English as 'Tequila Strong Love'. A person takes the salt in his mouth and kisses the drinker, then supports the lemon slice (always with his mouth) inviting the drinker to bite it. Be careful not to bite your tongue instead of the lemon wedge.
- Another way to drink Tequila is to add a touch of Tabasco. This method is called 'the Prairie Fire' in English.
- If you buy a high quality Tequila like Patron, no salt or lemon is needed; they would cancel or limit the flavor.
- The directions on how to drink Tequila may vary; some people suggest inhaling before swallowing the liquid, while others find it better to exhale.
- Drinking tequila like this is a lot of fun in a group, making sure everyone does the steps at the same time.
Warnings
- This technique for drinking Tequila, especially if it is of poor quality, can cause a persistent "close encounter" with the toilet.
- Drink responsibly
