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.
How To Make A Tequila Sunrise
Of all the tequila mixed drinks, a tequila sunrise is arguably the easiest to make. Simply add orange juice, tequila, and ice cubes to a glass, then pour in the grenadine.;
The grenadine will sink to the bottom of the glass, but thats what you want! The trick to making the best tequila sunrise is to not stir the drink once all the cocktail ingredients have been added to the glass.;
Garnish your drink as desired and serve immediately.;
Are All Tequilas Made Of 100 Percent Blue Weber Agave
Nearly all premium tequilas are made entirely from blue Weber agave , but there’s another category of tequila called “mixto” in which blue Weber agave need only compose 51 percent of the spirit. Producers utilize various types of sugar to make up the remaining percentage, including high fructose corn syrup and molassesalthough sometimes a lightly processed Mexican cane sugar known as piloncillo is what’s used. If your bottle doesn’t indicate on the label that it’s made from 100 percent agaveand if the price is on the lower end of the spectrumthere’s a good chance that you’re dealing with a mixto. While less expensive, these tequilas don’t reflect a historically anthentic approach to the composition of the spirit.
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How To Make A Tequila Pitcher Cocktail
A tequila sunrise is the perfect drink for unwinding in front of your favorite TV program or make a few for a casual evening in your backyard with a couple friends.;
But for that long holiday weekend fiesta youre throwing, you can triple or quadruple this tequila cocktail recipe to have it ready to go in a pitcher. Preparing by the pitcher is so much easier than making drinks one-by-one when youre making drinks for a crowd.;People can serve themselves from the pitcher and you can relax. Pure bliss!;
My one piece of advice for turning this tequila sunrise into a pitcher cocktail is to leave the ice out of the pitcher, otherwise your cocktails will get watery. Instead, store the pitcher in a cooler and have ice on the side so the drinks still stay cold.;
My Best Advice For Choosing A Tequila
As a former bartender, when buying an alcohol strictly to mix with something my best advice is this:; when in doubt, buy from the middle shelf in a liquor store and in a bar.; Not the bottom shelf .; Not the top shelf .; As a rule of thumb, you typically you cant go wrong if you select a tequila from the middle shelf .;;
So go grab your tequila and lets get to mixing so we can get to sipping!;;
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What’s The Difference Between Tequila And Mezcal
You may have heard the rumor that the spirit known as mezcal is simply a smoky version of tequila. In fact, the truth is closer to the reverse of that: the term “mezcal” refers broadly to any distillate of the agave plant produced in Mexico, so the spirit called tequila is simply one specific type of mezcal. While government regulations allow for the production of mezcal in nine different Mexican states, tequila may only be produced in five states: Jalisco, Michoacán, Nayarit, Guanajuato, and certain parts of Tamaulipas. Addionally, while mezcal may be produced from dozens of different agave varietiesresulting in numerous distinct styles and flavor profilestequila may only be produced from the blue Weber agave.
The Best Tequila Mixers
Tequila, distilled from the nectar of the blue agave plant, is a complex spirit, and different brands can be varying degrees of spicy, sweet, and vegetal. As a tequila ages, it also picks up notes of baking spice, vanilla, and caramel. As a result, there is a broad range of mixers that can complement and enhance its multifaceted personality.
We polled the opinionated VinePair staff to assemble this list, with mixers that range from traditional to unconventional. Any are worth trying next time youre in the mood to mix up a tequila cocktail or, for those of you who prefer your tequila served neat or as a shot, feel free to use this list as a possible inspiration for accompaniments or chasers, rather than mixers.
A word on value: Since agave plants take years to reach a harvestable state, even entry-level tequilas can often be pricier than comparable spirits, and reposado or añejo expressions even more so. For value brands offering the best bang for your buck, check out our guide to the best affordable tequilas. Below;are seven of the best tequila mixers.
drop!
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Best For Sipping: El Tesoro Aejo
Courtesy of leesliquorlv.com
Region: Jalisco, Mexico;| ABV: 40%;| Tasting Notes: Citrus, Spice, Brown butter
Like any fine spirit served neat, a good sipping tequila should be smooth, velvety, and nonabrasivebut, simultaneously, should still taste like tequila, rather than trying to mimic the characteristics of whiskey, or vodka, or anything else.
The añejo from El Tesoro is a classically-styled tequila that checks all those boxes: it’s soft and silky, a result of two to three years of aging in American oak ex-bourbon barrels, but it’s not as flush with caramel or vanilla as certain añejos that receive a more heavy-handed aging treatment. Consequently, the flavor of the agave really comes throughno surprise for a brand that prides itself on traditional production methods, from crushing the agave with a volcanic stone tahona to fermenting in open wooden vats with ambient yeasts. The El Tesoro añejo is an ideal choice the next time you’re craving the vibrancy of raw agave character without wanting to bother with ice or with lime.
Region: Jalisco, Mexico | ABV: 46% | Tasting Notes: Cinnamon, Olives, Grapefruit peel
Tequila Goes In More Than Just Margaritas Find Out What To Mix With Tequila From Juices To Syrups And More
Everybody knows tequila! Its the smooth liquor we all love in an icy margarita. However, tequila is much more than that! This capable liquor has a versatility that rivals vodka, which is why it works as well in fruity drinks as it does in;carnitas or fruit salads.
But those are just the tip of the iceberg! Get a bunch more mixer ideas ahead.
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The Beauty Of The Tequila Sunrise
This classic drink recipe gets its name from how it looks. It has that beautiful visual effect from the grenadine dropping to the bottom then slowly rising. That gives it a red layer at the bottom that slowly blends into an orange layer.
That makes this a really cool-looking cocktail that always looks impressive. And yet, getting this sunrise effect is easier than you might imagine.
The way to get that look is to pour the grenadine last. You pour it right down the center, and slowly. This method of dropping the grenadine in slowly is actually the easiest way to get the visual effect of a layered cocktail.
If you find it hard to pour slowly, you probably need to use a over the bottle. This is especially true when a bottle is full and the lack of air inside makes the liquid tend to chug out instead of pouring smoothly.
Pour spouts are such a help whether youre layering cocktails or just want to reduce mess. They can help keep liquid from dribbling down the side of the bottle.
Skip The Salt And Lime
When drinking tequila, I want to be able to experience the actual taste, he says. Usually, tequilas dominant flavor profile extends to the honey-like notes of cooked agave, accented by zingy citrus or pepper. Save the lime and salt for making Margaritas, Palomas or other cocktails, and sip neat tequila unadorned.
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Republic Spirit Jalapeno Lime
MOST CREATIVE
Not every mixer needs to be simplistic in flavor. In fact, the Republic Spirit Jalapeno Lime mixer combines two of the best flavors to pair with tequila. Bottled in Michigan using fresh jalapeno and lime juice, this magical liquid is refreshing at first sip with a spicy kick on the back end. Its just the right amount of heat to compliment and mask the face-scrunching harshness of tequila. Grab a bottle of this jalapeno mixer or try Republic Spirits other mixer flavors, which include prickly pear and grapefruit lime.
Best For Margaritas: Casa Dragones Blanco
Region: Jalisco, Mexico | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Herbaceous, Green peppercorn, Anise
Instead of sipping this high-end tequila, Volfson recommends trying it in a margarita. A margarita is about the relationship of three ingredients: tequila, triple sec, and limes,” she says. This tequila from Maestra Tequilera Bertha González Nieves gives off flavors of soft herbaceousness and grassy garden crispness, green peppercorn and fennel seed, cardamom, anise seed, and a bit of juiciness, which Volfson feels mingle well with the bright cirtus character of the triple sec and lime juice.
“The layers of orange blossom in Casa Dragones, along with the orange in the triple sec, brings together the drinks fruitinessthe recipe doesnt need as much lime juice as others, so it showcases the spirits with each other. Yana Volfson, beverage manager at Cosme and ATLA restaurants in New York
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Does All Tequila Have To Be Made In The Town Of Tequila
No, but there is a strong historical connection between the spirit known as tequila and the town from which it takes its name. Located about sixty kilometers from Guadalajara in the state of Jalisco, Santiago de Tequila is where much of the original distillation of the blue Weber agave plant took place, and centuries-old distilleries are still in operation there today. The town is also the location of the Museo Nacional de Tequila , and is the hub of most of Jalisco’s tequila-based tourism.
What’s The Difference Between A Tequila Sunrise And A Tequila Sunset
Quite often, tequila sunset is just another name for a tequila sunrise. Then again, it can be an entirely different recipe. Some use grapefruit juice instead of orange, while others use a blend of pineapple and orange. In all of those, though, the grenadine is at the bottom, just like in a sunrise.
For the opposite effect that places a red layer at the top of the drink , you’ll need to use a lighter ingredient than straight grenadine. One option is to mix a little soda with grenadine before adding it to the tequila mix. Blackberry brandy is commonly used as a substitute for grenadine in a tequila sunset, and most brands should be light enough to float on top. Other red liquors may work as well, depending on their specific gravity. You could even use dark rum; mix it with food coloring if you really want the red layer. With all of these tequila sunset options, pour the top layer over the back of a barspoon so it floats.
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Take A Sip Of This Iconic Mexican Spirit
Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the bestproducts; youcan learn more about ourreview process here.We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.
Liquor / Chloe Jeong
Every spirit has its “moment”sometimes more than onceand just like whiskey in the pre-prohibition era, rum in the midcentury tiki craze, and vodka in the swingin’ sixties and seventies, tequila is currently the darling of the spirits world. Nutrition consultants saddle it with various health claims , and it seems like every day that yet another celebrity is launching a new tequila brand. However, to longtime aficionados like Grover and Scarlet Sanschagrin, the Jalisco-based founders of the website Tequila Matchmaker, there’s something to be said for the old, artisan production methods and for the flavors they yield: herbs, spices, and the briny, bittersweet signature of agave.
But the sheer volume of tequila brands currently competing for shelf space means that there’s truly a bottle out there for every consumer. The Consejo Regulador del Tequila, the spirits regulatory body, lists 1,754 tequilas currently in productionand these include bottles labeled blanco , reposado , añejo , and several other increasingly esoteric categories. Whether you like your tequila neat or mixed with cocktails, here are the best tequilas available today.
A Complete Well Drinks List And Guide
Vodka soda.
Gin and tonic.
On any given day at any liquor-licensed restaurant, youll hear these drinks ordered again and again.
Though your well drinks list may be simple, these basic beverage ingredients are the unsung heroes of the bar. Theyre not listed on the menu, but theyre always in high demand. Theyre quick to make and have high profit margins. If well drinks are great for business with little effort, imagine what they could mean for business with some creativity.
Were here to shine the light on the importance of well drinks to help you maximize their potential at your bar or restaurant. In this well drink guide youll learn:
- What is a well drink
- The benefits of serving well drinks at your restaurant or bar
- How to maximize your well drinks list;
- Recipes for 19 classic well drinks
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Ways To Drink Tequila
In Mexico, tequila is a sophisticated alcohol. Its most common home is in the notable, yet cool and refreshing, margarita. This Cinco de Mayo take;a vacation from the iconic salt-rimmed beverage and quench your thirst with a special tequila drink. On your next swim-up-bar retreat, try one of these quenching tequila drinks.
PalomaSpainish for dove, one will feel as sacred as a dove after drinking this grapefruit-flavored drink. This drink is best served with a high-class brand such as Don Julio Tequila. Mix together the following ingredients. -1 oz. Don Julio Tequila-2.5 oz. Grapefruit Juice-1 tablespoon sugar -Splash of seltzer
Place all the ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake and pour into a glass. Add the lime juice and give it a final mix before serving.
Tequila Sparkler This drink is for the ladies. The mimosa-inspired beverage skips the OJ and replaces it with tequila. Enjoy a tequila sparkler at brunch or a summertime celebration. Mix together the following ingredients. -¾ oz. high quality tequila-2.5 oz. champagne-1 strawberry -Splash of simple syrup
Mexican Mule This Moscow-mule-inspired beverage is best served in a copper cup. This drink replaces the original drinks vodka with tequila. Mix together the following ingredients. -1.5 oz. tequila-Orange slice for garnish
What Tequila Is Best For Sipping
Here are the best sipping tequilas our experts recommend to drink right now.
- Best Overall: Tequila Ocho Plata.
- Best Blanco: Don Fulano Blanco.
- Best Reposado: Siete Leguas Reposado.
- Best Añejo: Don Julio Añejo.
- Best Extra Añejo: Gran Patrón Burdeos.
- Best Valley: Fortaleza Blanco.
- Best Highlands: El Tesoro Reposado.
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How To Maximize Your Well Drink List
Give your well drinks some TLC to turn them into money-making machines. Here are four ways to make the most of your well drinks list.
1. Give your well drinks special names. A vodka tonic could be Spiked Soda while a Tequila Sunrise could be Cancun in a Cup. Rebrand your well drinks with memorable names to make them seem like more than well drinks. This means that you can get away with charging more for them while still keeping prices below premium craft cocktails on your menu.
2. Dress them up. A drink in a plastic cup isnt as memorable! Make your well drinks stand out by giving them garnishes like mint leaves and citrus wedges, pouring them into special glasses , or using fresh squeezed juices. Make sure to hire a barback to assist bartenders and keep garnish ingredients fresh no one likes wilted herbs in their drinks!
3. Happier hour. Pair your well drinks list with premium food items during happy hour to upsell more expensive items on your menu. For example, your restaurant may charge $8 for a well drink and $15 for a premium sushi roll. The premium rolls have high profit margins for your business, but theyre rarely ordered because your customers choose cheaper options. During happy hour, you could pair a well drink with a premium sushi roll and offer both for a discount ;both for $20 instead of $23. This kind of promotion gets customers to try more expensive items on your menu in the hopes that theyll want to pay full price next time.
When To Serve The Tequila Sunrise
This cocktail is terrific by the poolside. Its also great for a night of dancing. And it makes a great drink to have at the end of a long day, before the evening begins.
Its even great for brunch. Not too strong, with an easygoing fruity flavor that goes with most any brunch foods.
It is a terrific choice for barbecue cocktails because its light, refreshing and cold. You can serve it at any party, too.
You might think of the Tequila Sunrise as a very long drink. Thats true, but it only has twice as much fruit juice as alcohol, so its still a good stiff drink.
If you want, you can add more orange juice to make it a longer drink for sipping. Its made to be poured over ice, which will water it down after a few minutes.
If you want to keep the flavors intense, you can chill all the ingredients in advance and even the glass, too and skip the ice. Youll get a nice cold drink this way. And you might want to pour it into a smaller rocks glass.
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