How to drink tequila the right way? If you are the type of person who enjoys taking those glorious sips of cocktails occasionally, chances are that you have tried tequila. Produced for the first time in the 16th century near the city of Tequila located in Mexico, this drink has a history behind it. Tequila, which is the national beverage of Mexico, has earned itself quite the name amongst cocktail fans. With its strong, unique taste, tequila is the star ingredient of so many cocktails, such as the Classic Margarita.
However, you will not be able to experience the true essence of tequila unless you drink it correctly. Though tequila originated in Mexico, western culture has given it a different spin. For a lot of people these days, drinking tequila means first licking salt off your hands, tipping your head back, and gulping the shot, followed by sucking on a wedge of lime.
While this may be experienced in itself, it might not be pleasant for everyone. When drunk in such a way, tequila can taste too strong and overbearing, also giving you one hell of a hangover the next day. So, while you may feel adventurous at the moment, you will probably wake up the next day swearing you will never try it again, before this cycle repeats.
What if we told you that you have been drinking tequila the wrong way all this time? Because chances are that if you know how to drink tequila correctly, you might savor and enjoy its taste.
Just by switching the method as well as the type of tequila you choose, you could have a completely different experience the next time around. All you have to do is learn about how to drink tequila basics.
Correct Ways to Drink Tequila
It might seem boring to do some research before enjoying drinks, but we promise that it will be worth it. Here are the correct ways to drink tequila:
1. Choosing the correct quality
The trick to learning how to drink tequila is to first choose a good-quality tequila. After all, the correct drinking method will only work best if the product is good.
ways to drink TequilaImage source: Google
Tequila is distilled from the blue agave plant, which is responsible for its signature taste. However, not all tequilas are made up of 100% agave sugar. Certain tequilas only have agave sugar as a part while the rest of the sugar content comes from other sources like sugarcane, grain, etc. Such a type of tequila is called a Mixto (mixed) tequila.
Any tequila that is not 100% agave sugar tends to be low in quality, which affects its taste and the way it works on your body. So, when choosing a tequila, always go for those which have 100% agave sugar content. After all, that is how it was originally made and that is where its true, authentic taste lies.
2. Choosing the Correct Age
Now that you know how to pick the right quality of tequila, the next thing you need to do is learn about the different ages of tequila. Depending on how long the tequila has been aged for, it is divided into several categories, which are:
ways to drink TequilaImage source: Google
Blanco tequila is the youngest type of tequila, which is bottled right after distillation, or after having spent less than 2 months in steel tanks. This is why Blanco has most of that signature agave taste, with hints of pepper and citrus.
Joven tequila is Blanco tequila mixed with other aged tequilas or with artificial colors. Joven tequila has a golden color, but always read the label to find out if that color comes from other older tequilas or an artificial additive.
Respado tequila is tequila that has been aged from anytime between 2 months to less than a year, in oak vessels. This means that it mellows with time, with notes of vanilla and oak adding to the agave flavor.
Anejo tequila is that tequila that has spent any time between 1 to 3 years aging in oak barrels. This means that it has added hints of oak, caramel, toffee flavors along with the signature peppery agave pulling through it all. These also turn a golden color because of the oak containers they are stored inside.
Extra Anejo is tequila which has spent more than 3 years age. This means that the oak flavors are strong in this. Also, longer time aging means that a lot of it evaporates in the process, making this the most expensive class of tequilas.
When choosing a tequila, make sure to find out what type it is. For example, only aged tequilas like Anejo and Extra Anejo gain their golden color naturally. Any younger tequila which has a gold color probably contains artificial colors.
There is much debate on which type of tequila is the best. Some prefer Blanco because of its signature, strong agave taste. However, some prefer tequilas which have rested for a long time and hence have a smoother taste, such as Anejo or Extra Anejo. So, do your research, know your options, before you make a decision.
3. Change your Drinking Method
Finally, let’s move to the proper ways to drink tequila. The trick is to take your time with it and savor it. This means that no throwing back shots which burn your throat, though you can still do that if it’s your thing.
ways to drink TequilaPour the tequila into a glass and take small sips of it. Swish each sip in your mouth for a few seconds. Breathe in a little and swirl the tequila over your tongue to get that aroma. Then, exhale through your nose and then swallow it. This way you can make the most of the taste without the flavor getting lost under that strong, burning sensation.
If you are new to drinking tequila, you can suck on a lime dipped in salt after a couple of sips. Make sure to not suck on it too much or else it will override the unique flavor of the tequila.
Read about- 10 most expensive tequilas in the world
4. Finally, enjoy yourself!
Now that you know how to drink tequila properly, all that is left is for you to enjoy yourself. After all, it is the mood that makes tequila taste the way it does.
ways to drink TequilaMix your tequila into your favorite cocktails and choose mixers that best suit the type of tequila you are choosing. For example, Blanco is the tequila that is commonly used to make a margarita. Learn more about your favorite cocktails too so you can make the best version of them.
You can also accompany the tequila with a serving of tacos which can be a very delicious combination!
Finally, remember to be safe and look after yourself, both physically and mentally. Keep track of the alcohol content you are consuming so that you can prevent overdrinking. Make sure that you are with people who you trust and do not drink and drive. Take care of yourself and live the night to the fullest!
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