Tequila Cocktails
30 drinks with this bottle, from the easy ones up.
What goes with Tequila?
Lime, then grapefruit. Tequila's pepper and green agave love sharp citrus, which gets you the Margarita and the Paloma, made with grapefruit soda. Orange juice and grenadine make a Tequila Sunrise, ginger beer makes a fine long drink, and soda water with lime lets the agave do the talking.
What does it taste like?
Blanco tastes of sweet cooked agave, pepper and citrus. Reposado and añejo pick up vanilla, caramel and oak from the barrel.
Which bottle should I buy?
Look for 100% agave on the label, since a bottle without those words can be nearly half other sugars. Espolòn, Olmeca Altos and Cazadores are the usual mid-priced picks, and Don Julio and Patrón are the fancier ones.
Goes well with
A Mexican spirit made from blue agave, mostly in Jalisco, and legally limited to five states. Most bottles are around 38 to 40% ABV. Mezcal is the closest swap if you don't mind smoke, and white rum works in a Margarita at a pinch.
Questions
What mixes well with tequila?
Lime, grapefruit soda and orange juice are the best bets. Sharp citrus suits tequila's peppery agave flavor, which is why the Margarita and Paloma work so well. Ginger beer and soda water are good too.
What is the difference between blanco, reposado and anejo tequila?
Time in oak. Blanco is unaged or barely rested, reposado sits for at least 2 months, and añejo for at least a year. Use blanco in bright citrus drinks and save añejo for sipping.
Is tequila made from cactus?
No. Tequila is made from blue agave, a succulent with a big starchy heart. It looks like a cactus, but it isn't one.
One good drink, every Friday.
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