Tequila: Where Does It Come From
Tequila owes its name to the area it originated: a city called Tequila. The volcanic, red clay that is found in the region provide the perfect conditions for growing the premium blue agave.
Mexican law indicates that tequila is only made from blue agave grown in the state of Jalisco, Mexico and certain other locales in various states throughout Mexico. Jalisco features an area called, Los Altos, which is a highlands area. Tequila taste can be impacted depending on which region the blue agave come from – some sweeter than others.
You may notice that there are a couple of tequila products on our list from outside of Mexico. The Tequila Rose is a blended tequila product, that utilizes tequila made in Mexico . Number Juan is a tequila distilled in Mexico that undergoes some parts of the aging process in the US. Rest assured, anything called tequila has at least 51% blue agave and is distilled in Mexico.
The Best Paloma Recipe
When it comes to mixed drinks, a classic margarita has always been my cocktail of choice on the rocks with salt, please and thank you! But heres the thing, Ive never been very successful at making margaritas at home.
Those store bought margarita drink mixes? Yeah, theyre waayyy too sweet for my taste And Ive tried making my own homemade margarita mix, but 1) it tastes different every time because the quality and acidity of the limes can vary so much, and 2) limes keep going up, up, up in price, making it kind of expensive to experiment.
A few years ago, I mentioned my struggles to a friend and that I was on the hunt for new tequila drink recipes. He suggested that I try a paloma cocktail. Now, palomas werent even on my radar at the time, so I asked for details
What Is A Good Tequila For The Money
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California Residents: Tap Here For Proposition 65 Warning
WARNING: Drinking distilled spirits, beer, coolers, wine and other alcoholic beverages may increase cancer risk, and, during pregnancy, can cause birth defects. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/alcohol |
WARNING: Many food and beverage cans have linings containing bisphenol A , a chemical known to cause harm to the female reproductive system. Jar lids and bottle caps may also contain BPA. You can be exposed to BPA when you consume foods or beverages packaged in these containers. For more information, go to: www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/BPA |
How We Picked These Products
We scoured the internet, read reviews, and spoke to experts to come up with an exhaustive list of the best tequilas for every budget and occasion. We also considered price , distillation process, aging time, added flavors, and the smoothness of a sip.
Let’s get into 19 of our all-time favorite tequilas, and see what our editors had to say about a few of them!
- Smooth
The Rock knows what he’s doing when it comes to tequila. The liquor is almost always a part of his outrageous chest meals, so he launched his own brand, Teremana. Teremana comes in a reposado and a blanco and has notes of oak and vanilla.
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Tequila + Grapefruit Soda
Essentially a Paloma, this cocktail is one of the most popular ways to drink tequila in Mexico . Its bright, citrusy, subtly bitter and downright crushable. Depending on your preference, you can use a blanco or a reposado tequila for the base of the cocktail. A blanco tequila keeps the drink light and crisp, while a reposado tequila makes it richer and more decadent. For a garnish, we recommend a fat wedge of lime and a pinch of sea salt. Come summer, this Highball is essential drinking.
What Tequila Brands Are The Best To Mix With Coke
There does not appear to be any consensus on which brands best mix with Coke, as recipes and drinkers have expressed using a wide variety, from Patron Silver Blanco to Hornitos Plata. A white tequila appears to be the most common denominator amongst recipes, although this may be entirely up to the tequila drinkers regular preferences.
Weve all seen the unique bottle of Patron Silver Blanco as it sits on the shelf of our favorite bar. Known as one of the worlds best premium tequila brands, Patron can be used for sipping straight or on the rocks. And it is a well-known favorite to mix into cocktails, like Batanga.
Another brand of tequila that can be used to make Batanga is Hornitos Plata. This clear tequila has floral, fruit, herbal, and citrus notes.
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Teremana Small Batch Tequila
Wine.com
The Rocks premium tequila brand has been flying off store shelves ever since its launch last March. Now, fans of Dwayne Johnson and tequila alike can purchase Teremana online and get it delivered to their door.
The ultra-premium highlands tequila uses all the beverage buzz words, like small batch production, and distilled in handmade copper pot stills. But beyond the hype, its a smooth, easy to drink option naturally sweetened with the rich aroma of mature agave plants, with a clean finish.
The name, Johnson explains, was inspired by his Polynesian background. TERA means of the Earth and MANA is our powerful Polynesian spirit that guides us. Spirit of the Earth, he says.
Tanteo Puerto Vallarta Smash
I love the play of sweet and spicy with peaches and habanero. The basil and jalapeño add a freshness that screams drink me on a long summer day while overlooking the beach! Daniel Kurtzman, general manager at Tall Boy Taco
68 small basil leaves
½ jalapeño
Method: Muddle basil, jalapeños, and agave nectar in shaker. Add ice and the rest of the ingredients. Shake vigorously and strain into rocks glass with crushed ice. Garnish with Tajín rim.
The Tres Agaves El Diablo
Daniel Krieger
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Popular Tequila Brands Ranked Worst To Best
Tequila is the great equalizer of a night out, in that everyones going to equally regret those four rapid rounds of shots they decided to do after midnight. However, the classic late-night-at-club unwise decision of the salt-rimmed variety is far from the only face of this agave spirit. Delicious as they may be, margaritas, too, are only scratching the surface.
A quality tequila can be just as fine a sipping alcohol as any Scotch or bourbon out there. The trick is to find out precisely which tequilas are the good stuff, and which ones are best reserved for those barely-remembered early morning hours. Whats more, an aspiring tequila enthusiast needs to make sure that they have reliable access to some of the better brands. In order to determine what the true delicacies of the tequila world are, and to ensure maximum access to them, weve taken a look at some of the most popular tequila brands out there and ranked them from worst to best.
What Is The Smoothest Tequila
Good question! Tequila begins its life as an agave plant. The jimadorthe expert farmer who grows and harvests agave plantsplucks the core of the agave, the piña, from each and roasts it in an industrial ovens. Then it’s shredded, fermented, and distilled in copper pots. Depending on the brand, flavor may then be added to the finished product. It also may go into giant oak barrels to be aged for up to 10 three yearsleading to a much smoother, less bitter taste.
Word to the wise: Agave plants only have one piña, and plants take around seven years to mature. Because of that, tequila-making can be a very difficult and time-consuming business.
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What Can I Mix With Tequila
Maybe its easier to answer, what cant I mix with tequila? If youre into sipping tequila cocktails and looking for new ideas on what to mix with tequila, here is a comprehensive list of great mixers and tequila cocktail ideas to get you inspired:
Tequila + Grapefruit SodaAKA the Paloma, this is a popular choice of what to mix with tequila. If you like bright, citrusy, and slightly bitter, youll love this combo. Depending on your preference, you can use silver or reposado tequila for the base of the cocktail. A silver tequila keeps the drink light and crisp, while a reposado tequila makes it richer and more decadent. There are far too many variations of the Paloma to list, and you are sure to find a different house variation of this drink at any bar or restaurant where you might find yourself. The most popular version of the Paloma you make with fresh grapefruit juice, club soda, and silver tequila. Garnish and squeeze in a fat wedge of lime and a pinch of sea salt. This drink will help you survive the hot summer months!
Tequila + Pineapple juiceThey go together better than mac and cheese. Fresh pineapple juice is more ideal than canned, but either way, youll end up with a cocktail that is tropical, fruit-forward, and downright peppery. Best of all, literally any tequila be it silver, reposado, or añejo works as the base of this drink.
Garnish any of these with a wedge of lime that you can squeeze into the drink, and youre done!
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What Is Hornitos Tequila Made From
What goes into a bottle of Hornitos Reposado? This tequila is made from 100 percent blue agave, which is baked in small ovens, mashed, fermented and double-distilled. This pale straw-colored tequila ages for anywhere from two months to a year, typically in former bourbon barrels, before being bottled.
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Simply Orange Pulp Free Orange Juice
BEST JUICE
Basically a tequila sunrise without the grenadine, tequila and orange juice is a great way to finish that bottle on your shelf without actually tasting the tequila. Orange juice is the great equalizer among alcohols, ensuring your tequila tastes just the same as vodka or rum. It would take a very refined palate to tell the difference once OJ is added. Still, this could work to your benefit if youre in possession of a cheap tequila. Mix one part tequila with three parts orange juice for a drink youll feel but wont taste.
Cdigo 1530 Rosa Tequila
Drizly
Smooth and delicate, Código 1530s Rosa Tequila makes for perfect after-work sipping, or used in a hand-crafted cocktail. Produced using the tequila-making traditions of the Los Bajos region and its tequilieras, the tequila is meticulously aged inFrench White Oakred wine barrels from Napa Valley. That gives the Rosa a subtle pink hue, and a sweet yet dry finish.
Country singer George Strait is an investor in the brand, and even wrote a song inspired by the tequila off his 2019 album, Honkey Tonk Time Machine.
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Is Aejo Tequila Good For Margaritas
Yes, you can pour añejo in your margarita making it smoky, spicy and sweeter. Consider the fact that añejo will give your cocktail an amber hue making it look different than a traditional margarita.
I would rather choose a reposado for my next margarita. Reposados are cheaper and mix better with most cocktails.
History Of Casa Sauza And Hornitos Tequila
Casa Sauza is a tequila company located in Tequila, Jalisco. It has a long tradition, legacy and history in the world of tequila.
Watch this video and learn more about its roots, about the road it has traveled and continues to walk towards the excellence in the production of this emblematic Mexican drink, tequila.
If you want to learn more about Sauza, our Quinta and our production processes, we invite you to come to Tequila and tour our facilities in the company of our experts in tours.
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Clase Azul Reposado Tequila
Drizly
If Casamigos is what you serve at your party, Clase Azul is what you break out for the select few invited to stick around after the crowd leaves. This may be one of the priciest options on our list, but this top-shelf tequila is worth the premium price. Clase Azuls tequila comes in this instantly recognizable bottle, which you see on the top shelf of high-end bars and restaurants. At over $100, this is a true premium spirit, with a bottle and flavor profile worthy of its price.
Made from blue agave plants in Mexico, Clase Azul Reposado Tequila features notes of spice, cream soda, apple cider, jasmine, cinnamon and honey. The bottles, meantime, are like a work of art, inspired by traditional Mexican colors and motifs. Each bottle is hand-crafted and hand-painted, so no two are alike, making Clase Azul a great gift idea as well.
Personal Scores & Reviews From Our Community
- 69Rating
Oak improves this juice remarkably well, covers up the chemical qualities I get from the Blanco. Shoot away.
- 58Rating
Offered by a friend, who is not a tequila drinker. Medicinal nose with pine. On entry this is smooth enough but instantly devolves into chemical bitterness. Sets a baseline for bad. One shot was enough. If you rate this 80 or 90, you literally need to get out more.
Rated blind. You get what you pay for, right?
Ok for mixing. A bit medicinal for my taste. Not for sipping
- 68Rating
Dont mind the smell. Oak aging aroma is there but also chemical.More agave present in taste. Finish is long and bitter.
As a mixer, nit neat.
Drank at Peres house as a mixer
- 69Rating
Nothing really special here. Somewhat of an artificial vanilla note. Youre typical Margarita mixer here.
- 100Rating
a masterpiece of instant gratification, awakening subtle pride of my choice, the value, the flavor. Next tequila must be Hornitos. Dedicated to Don Francisco with honor to taste and delivery, dedicated to the people with value for the dollar, amazing value
diffuser made. Much better options out there. Spend your money elsewhere
Sweet smooth agave/pineapple hint of vanilla
Light Repo great for mixing.
- 68Rating
Warm tone, soft to the finish. The taste has bold flavors like Aniz sharpeness. Great flat notes for a perfect Margarita
I do not like the flavor of this tequila at all.
- 62Rating
great for mixing with squirt or limeade.
- 71Rating
I like this for mixed drinks.
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How Many Shots Of Tequila Will Get You Drunk
When it comes to getting drunk on tequila, how many shots does it usually take? The average individual would get somewhat intoxicated after two shots of tequila, moderately intoxicated after four shots, and very intoxicated after five shots. Of course, this is greatly dependent on a variety of circumstances, including weight, mood, age, and even tolerance to alcohol.
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Hornitos Expands Tequila Seltzer Line
A new, sweet flavor is joining the Hornitos Tequila Seltzer family.
New from the Chicago-based company is the pineapple variety, which combines pineapple with real Plata Tequila and seltzer, the brand said.
Made without the use of artificial sweeteners, the beverage contains a fresh-cut pineapple taste that is balanced out with a hint of creamy sweetness.
Pineapple joins the brands previously launched lime and mango flavors, which are made with all-natural ingredients and no artificial sweeteners, the company said.
The hard seltzer category has seen incredible growth, with sales making up greater than 50% of the US ready-to-drink category, and the success of our first two flavors have proven that fans are interested in a tequila-based seltzer option that doesnt compromise on taste, Rashidi Hodari, the managing director of Tequila at Beam Suntory said. On the heels of our lime and mango flavors, were proud to offer tequila fans and seltzer drinkers another new delicious offering in pineapple that showcases the versatility of authentic tequila flavor.
Available in 12-oz. cans, Hornitos Tequila Seltzer in pineapple contains 112 calories per serving, 5% ABV and retails for $11.99 per four pack.
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Pairing Rested Tequila With Food
Birria, a Mexican dish from Guadalajara, Jalisco, goes well with this kind of tequila. The same with carne en su jugo, another dish from Guadalajara. They both can be paired with a tequila such as Tres Generaciones Reposado. Why? because this tequila is perfect for a second course meal, for meats, for fats. Great for fine steak cuts!
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What Is The Best Tequila
Our editors have reviewed dozens of tequila brands over the last year, to come up with some of our favorite bottles, based on taste profile, uniqueness and value. And while there are a number of tequila brands that have launched in recent months , this list runs the gamut from tried-and-true brands, to limited-edition releases that youll be smart to pick up if you see them available online.
Whether you want to sip on something smooth or just want to upgrade your margarita, here are 15 tequilas you can buy online and get delivered to your door in time for your next happy hour, dinner or party.
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Is Tequila And Coke A Good Mix
The drink is nearly impossible to get wrong: tequila, lime and CocaCola served over ice in a highball glass with a salted rim. Its said that the secret to a good Batanga isnt which tequila you choose or whether youre using Mexican Coke in a classic glass bottle. The secret is what you use to stir the drink.
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