Tequila! How is it made?
While we all know (and love) tequila, not everyone knows how it's made. The liquor is a distilled beverage made from the blue agave plant, which is native to Mexico.
The agave plants are harvested, and the hearts of the plants are cooked. Once cooked, the agave hearts are crushed, and the juice is extracted. The juice is then fermented and distilled to create delicious tequilas.
The spirit can be enjoyed in many ways, but most people either sip it or shoot it. If you're new to drinking tequila, we recommend starting by sipping it. Sipping tequila will allow you to enjoy the flavor and appreciate its smoothness.
Read on to learn the best tips for sipping in style.
Tips for Sipping Tequila
To sip tequila, simply pour a small amount into a glass and take a sip. It's that easy! But there are a few things you can do to make the experience even better:
Use a High-Quality Tequila
Not all tequilas are created equal. If you want to have a truly enjoyable sipping experience, be sure to use high-quality tequila. We recommend using 100% agave tequila, which is the best quality.
Choose the Right Glass
The type of glass you use can also affect your sipping experience. We recommend using a traditional Mexican copita glass, specifically designed for sipping tequila.
Take Your Time
Sipping tequila is not a race! Take your time and savor the flavor of the drink.
How much tequila does it take to feel something? While the answer to this question may vary from person to person, there are some general guidelines you can follow.
In general, most people will start to feel the effects of tequila after about two ounces. This is the equivalent of one shot or one and a half cocktails (try blue agave mixers for the best flavor).
Now that you know how to sip tequila find your sipping glass and have some fun! Just make sure you have enough food to make the experience truly enjoyable. Not just any food, though, food that pairs well with intense tequila shots.
Best Foods to Eat With Tequila
Picture it; you're sitting on a beautiful patio on a warm day, sipping on some delicious tequila. But what should you eat with your drink?
At first thought, you might think only chips or pizza paired with tequila. But there are a lot of great food options that go well with tequila.
Here are some of our favorites:
Fruits
It's time to get fruity! Tequila pairs particularly well with fruits like watermelon, strawberries, and mango.
Seafood
The next time you're craving seafood, try pairing it with tequila! Tequila goes especially well with shrimp and fish tacos.
Mexican Food
Of course, tequila pairs perfectly with Mexican food! If you're looking for something specific, we recommend trying it with guacamole or enchiladas.
A few more fun foods include fish tacos with tequila-lime sauce. Then try grilled shrimp with tequila-lime butter.
How about ceviche with a tequila-lime dressing? If you like pizza, you can't go wrong with margarita pizza with tequila-lime dipping sauce.
As you can see, there are many delicious ways to enjoy tequila. Tequila is a versatile spirit that can be enjoyed on its own or paired with food. Whether you drink it neat, on the rocks, or with salt and lime, tequila is a refreshing and flavorful experience.
Super Spicy
No matter what you're in the mood for, there's a good chance that tequila will pair well with it. If you add cheese to the food and a bit of spicy flavor, you really can't go wrong. Something about cheese, spiciness, and tequila go perfectly together.
Sweet Pairings
Do you have a sweet tooth? You can also pair tequila with sweet foods like chocolate or dessert.
So, if you're in the mood for something sweet, go ahead and give it a try!
How to Make Tequila Dessert Shots
Have you ever tried making dessert shots? If not, you're missing out! Dessert shots are a great way to add some fun and excitement to your next party.
There are a few things you'll need to make dessert shots:
- Tequila
- Lemon or lime juice
- Simple syrup
- Cream or milk
- Ice cubes
- Shot glass for each person
To make the shots, simply combine all of the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Then pour the mixture into the shot glasses. Chill to help give the shot more body. Then take the shots with friends!
If you want to get really creative, you can try adding different flavors to your shots. For example, you could add chocolate syrup, coffee liqueur, or fruit juices.
Here's a list of the best chocolate pairings. Don't play by the rules, though. Express your flavor desires and have fun!
Do You Need Salt and Lime?
You've probably heard the rumor that tequila must be taken with salt and lime. This is actually a myth!
While some people prefer to take their tequila this way, it's unnecessary. You can drink tequila neat or on the rocks.
If you do want to add salt and lime, follow these tips to get the juiciest lime. You should also use kosher salt or sea salt. Also, avoid table salt; it's just too salty.
Rub the rim of the glass with a lime wedge before adding salt. This will help the salt stick to the glass.
Then you can add just enough salt to coat the rim of the glass. Serve the lime wedge on the side so that people can add it to their drink if they want.
Once you have everything ready, you can get ready to take your shot. The order is lick, shot, suck. Lick the salt, take your shot, and suck on the lime.
Garnishes for Tequila
Lime isn't the only garnish for tequila! You can also try some of these other options:
Cucumber: Cucumber slices add a refreshing twist to tequila. Add a bit of spice, and rim the glass with salt and pepper.
Orange: A classic garnish for tequila, orange slices add a nice citrus flavor.
Pineapple: Pineapple chunks or rings are a delicious way to enjoy tequila. For an extra sweet flavor, rim the glass with sugar.
Strawberry: Sliced strawberries make a beautiful and tasty garnish for tequila. Make it different, though; rim the glass with sugar.
Watermelon: Watermelon is a refreshing and unique garnish for tequila. Salt and watermelon are surprisingly refreshing.
You can make combination garnishes too. Never underestimate the power of cucumber and strawberry. They make a dynamic flavor duo!
Best Juices to Mix With Tequilas
Tequila recipes usually make people think of margaritas. But maybe you don't want to take the time to make a margarita. You can still enhance your shots by chasing or mixing the tequilas with the right type of juice.
Some of the best juices to mix with tequila include:
- Cranberry juice
- Orange juice
- Pineapple juice
- Grapefruit juice
- Tomato juice
- These are just a few ideas.
There's no wrong choice, though! Try something "weird" like pomegranate juice or carrot juice.
You might be surprised at how good it tastes. Tequila blends with other flavors in a way other spirits can't. It's that versatile.
What Each Juice Does for Your Flavor Experience
Why is orange juice such a popular drink to mix with tequila? We think it has something to do with the sweetness and acidity. The combination of these two flavors really enhances the tequila.
Plus, orange juice is refreshing and easy to find. You can find it at just about any grocery store.
Cranberry Juice
Cranberry juice is another great choice for mixing with tequila. It has a tart and slightly sweet flavor that goes well with the spirit.
Not to mention, cranberry juice is good for you! It's full of antioxidants and vitamins. So, cranberry juice is a great option if you're looking for a healthy way to enjoy your tequila.
Pineapple Juice
Pineapple juice is another great option when you're drinking tequila. It has a sweet and slightly sour flavor that pairs well with the spirit.
Pineapple juice is also full of nutrients and antioxidants. So, pineapple juice is a great option if you're looking for a healthy way to enjoy your tequila. Plus, pineapple juice is really refreshing and easy to find. You can find it at most grocery stores.
Best Glasses to Use For Tequila
There are all sorts of different glasses you can use to drink tequila. The most important thing is that you use a glass that you like. However, there are some glasses that are better suited for tequila than others.
Rocks Glass
Rock glass is the most common type of glass used for tequila. It is a sturdy glass that can be used for mixed drinks or straight shots. The main advantage of using rock glass is that it is easy to hold and drink from.
Specialty Glasses
Many different types of specialty glasses can be used for tequila. Some of these glasses are designed to be used for specific types of tequila, while others are simply designed to be more aesthetically pleasing.
Some of the most popular specialty glasses for tequila include:
Tulip Glass
The tulip glass is a common choice for drinking aged tequila. The shape of the glass helps trap the tequila's aromas, which can enhance the flavor.
Snifter Glass
The snifter glass is another common choice for drinking aged tequila. The wide bowl of the glass allows the drinker to swirl the tequila, which releases more of the aromas.
Coupe Glass
The coupe glass is a popular choice for tequila cocktails. The glass is designed to hold a small amount of liquid, which makes it perfect for mixed drinks.
Tequila Shot Glass
The tequila shot glass is the most traditional way to drink tequila. The small size of the glass means that the tequila is consumed in one quick shot.
Whichever glass you choose, make sure that it's one you like. Drinking is personal. You don't have to play by the rules.
Try new things. But ultimately, choose a tequila, glass, and serving style that makes you smile.
What Temperature to Serve Tequila At
What temperature should you serve tequila? This is a common question with many opinions. For some, it's a heated debate.
Experienced tequila enthusiasts will swear to drink it warm. However, others prefer the taste of a chilled shot.
Both warm and chilled tequila have their benefits. If you prefer your tequila a certain way, there's no wrong answer. But if you're unsure, we recommend trying both to see which you like better.
Warm tequila can bring out the drink's natural sweetness. This is because the heat activates the sugars in the tequila, making them more pronounced.
If you're looking for a sweeter tequila, we recommend trying it warm.
Chilled tequila can help to mask some of the drink's harsher flavors. This is because the cold numbs your taste buds, making it harder to pick up on certain flavors.
If you're looking for a smoother tequila, we recommend trying it chilled.
The bottom line is that there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to the best temperature to serve tequila. It all comes down to personal preference. So, experiment and see what you like best.
How to Store Tequila
Tequila should be stored in a cool, dark place. This will help to keep the flavor of the tequila fresh.
The best way to store tequila is in a dark glass bottle with a tight-fitting lid. This will help to keep the light out and the air out.
If you're not planning on drinking your tequila right away, we recommend storing it in the freezer. Tequila doesn't go bad but can lose its flavor over time. But freezing it preserves the flavor of the tequila for longer.
Sip and Enjoy
We hope you enjoyed our guide on how to enjoy tequila. Remember, there are no rules when it comes to drinking. Instead, it's all about creating your style and exploring different flavors.
Tequila is a fun drink to try different things with. Explore the best juices, temperatures, and glasses to serve your tequilas today.
When you're ready to pick up a top-shelf bottle, Liquorama can help. We have the best selection of tequila brands and other alcoholic beverages.
Take a look at our store now. We even have a delicious cinnamon-flavored tequila!