Tequila is an alcohol that is made by distilling blue agave and, as far as spirits are concerned, it is the national symbol of Mexico. There are three types of tequila: blanco, that is white, that is, that has not undergone any aging process, reposado, that tequila that is aged in oak barrels for a variable period between 2 and 12 months, and añejo, that is tequila which is aged in small oak barrels for 1 to 3 years. Although tequila has over time built a reputation as a popular drink for always being present at parties, there are several ways to enjoy it, without waking up feeling like you've been used as a punching bag all night. Let's see together what they are.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Taste it slowly
Step 1. Choose a tequila made from 100% agave
Not all tequilas are distilled the same way. If you decide to sip a tequila slowly, to savor all the nuances, just like most Mexicans do, buy one that is 100% authentic.
- There are tequilas on the market called "mixtos", or liqueurs composed of 51% agave and fortified with sugar, avoid them like the plague. They don't taste like tequila, and most likely they don't either.
- Many bartenders and tequila experts choose, and recommend, tequila produced by major brands and multinationals (such as Cuervo). But, if you can find a brand of tequila produced by a small family business that is 100% pure, don't hesitate to buy it, it will surely taste better than the industrial one.
Step 2. Choose an añejo tequila
In fact, to be able to taste an excellent product in small sips, it is important that it is ripe at the right point, and only a tequila aged for years is. Avoid a product that is too young, it would lack the structure and complexity necessary to be savored calmly. An añejo tequila is often compared to aged Cognacs.
- Tequila añejo is often more expensive than the reposado and blanco sisters, but not in an exaggerated way, you should be able to find a good bottle of Añejo tequila for under 50 €.
- Taste this type of tequila at room temperature. Adding ice would dilute the liqueur, losing flavor, and causing many shades of taste and scent to vanish.
- If tasting tequila becomes something more than a sporadic experience, it is recommended to buy a glass of the right shape, to be able to fully enhance this excellent product. Many taste this type of tequila in a cognac balloon.
Step 3. Enjoy your tequila with a small addition of sangrita
In Spanish it means little blood and is called that due to its color. Sangrita is a non-alcoholic drink that can be sipped to thoroughly cleanse the mouth, between sips of Anejo tequila. If you want to make sangrita, mix the following ingredients together and then store it in the refrigerator:
- 1 cup of fresh orange juice.
- 1 cup of tomato juice
- 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon of grenadine
- 12 drops of hot sauce
Step 4. Follow the tasting protocol
It is an optional step but, if you are someone who wants to taste their tequila the right way, follow the simple tips below, and find out how the experts taste tequila.
- Pour about 3 cl of tequila into a special glass, or into a cognac balloon. Lift the glass from the stem and not the cup, and bring it to eye level, to observe the color of the tequila.
- Shake the glass lightly. Observe how the alcohol leaves its trace on the walls of the glass, what experts call a string of pearls.
- Sip a small amount. Slide the tequila all over your mouth for about ten seconds and let the flavors and aromas reach every corner of your tongue.
- Swallow and repeat! Pleasant isn't it?
Method 2 of 3: Tequila Chupito
Step 1. If you want to drink your tequila quickly, choose a blanco, oro or reposado
Oro is a very similar variant to blanco, and also has the same price. Always remember to choose a tequila made 100% with agave. Tequila mixtos is very cheap, precisely because it is not pure tequila, but the headache you will have the next day will surely be expensive.
Step 2. Drink it straight and not cold
You don't have to drink it with salt and lemon if you don't like this ritual (even many Mexicans don't drink tequila this way). Pour the tequila, at room temperature, into a shot glass, and drink it in one gulp.
Step 3. Chupito with salt and lime
This way of drinking tequila is very famous all over the world, but it is not clear whether it is more or less popular in Mexico as well. The oldest trace that mentions this method of drinking tequila dates back to 1924 and reports the following sequence (reversed from the one we know and use today): lime, tequila and finally salt. Here's how to proceed:
- Moisten the skin between your forefinger and thumb and sprinkle the area with salt.
- With the other hand, hold the shot and the lime wedge, lick the salt, and drink the tequila in one gulp.
- Now all you have to do is suck the lime wedge. The acidity will dampen the strength of the alcohol.
Method 3 of 3: Blended in Cocktails
Step 1. Enjoy tequila in a classic cocktail:
the margarita. You can order it both frozen and in the normal version. If you want to fully enjoy the tequila, order the classic version of this cocktail, because the frozen version is sweeter, due to the added sugar, and more watery, due to the blended ice. To prepare a great margarita follow this recipe:
- Pour all the ingredients into a shaker after filling it halfway with ice:
- 6 cl of white, gold or reposado tequila
- 1.5 cl of Grand Marnier or Triple-Sec
- 3 cl of fresh lime juice
- 1, 5 cl of agave nectar (natural sweetener)
- Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds and pour your margarita, straining it from the ice, into a suitable glass with pearly edges of salt.
Step 2. Make a "tequini" or, more simply, a tequila martini
This cocktail packs all the sophistication and class of a martini, but with a little more fun. You can make a sweeter version of it, using tequila reposado and using sweet vermouth.
- Pour all the ingredients into a shaker filled with ice:
- 7, 5 cl of tequila blanco
- 1.5 cl of dry vermouth
- 1 drop of Angostura
- Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds and pour your tequini, straining it from the ice, into a martini glass.
- You can decorate with an olive, a lemon zest or a jalapeño pepper.
Step 3. Make a tequila sunrise
This cocktail is so called because of its colors, red and orange, and is another recipe that confirms the excellent combination of tequila and citrus fruits.
- In a highball glass, filled with ice, pour the following ingredients:
- 6 cl of white, gold or reposado tequila
- Fresh orange juice to fill the glass to the brim.
- Mix the ingredients carefully, then add a few drops of grenadine by tilting the glass and sliding it on the wall. The grenadine must be deposited on the bottom of the cocktail, and then slowly rise to the surface, mixing with the other ingredients.
- Decorate with a slice of orange and a straw
Step 4. Try it in the Bloody Mary by ordering a Vampire or a "Bloody Maria"
The vampire cocktail is a Mexican variation of the classic bloody Mary recipe. It is light and spicy, managing to be original without betraying the essence of its origins.
- Fill a cocktail glass with ice and pour the following ingredients into it:
- 1 pinch of salt
- 4.5 cl of Tequila blanco
- 1 teaspoon of spicy Mexican salsa
- 3 cl of tomato juice
- 3 cl of fresh lime juice
- Top with grapefruit soda and decorate with a lemon wedge.
