What Is The Best Tequila 10 Tequilas You Will Love
If all you think when you hear Tequila is shots, then think again.
Tequila is so much more than waking up the next morning with a fuzzy head with a vague memory of shot glasses.
But before we answer the question What is the best Tequila? there is a lot to learn, and love about this potent spirit.
Throw away your salt and lime, and lets dive in.
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 Is Just For Shots: False
Tequila shots, with salt and a lime wedge, are part of our collective drinking unconscious. So much so, it feels like theres no other way to enjoy tequila.But expert bartenders say that you should allow the flavors of your tequila to open up, like a fine wine or scotch. Its much more common in Mexico to sip your tequila slowly the shot with lime and salt is primarily an American practice.
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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
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.
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Best Overall: Fuenteseca Cosecha 2018
Region: Jalisco, Mexico | ABV: 45.7% | Tasting Notes: Cinnamon, Olive, Brine
This tequila is a cult favorite among experts, as Yana Volfson, the beverage manager at Cosme and ATLA restaurants in New York, calls it beautiful. Enrique Fuenteseca, the farmer and distiller behind the bottle, chooses the ripest agave in his own estate, subjects the piñas to the autoclave-and-roller mill treatment, and lets the pot-distilled spirit rest in stainless steel tanks afterward for three years. The resulting blanco, says Grover Sanschagrin, is super heavy on the cinnamon, olive, and brine notesits just amazing. Perfect for tequila aficionados, the limited-production Fuenteseca Cosecha 2013 is a worthy collectible.
Best Overall: Tres Agaves Organic
World Market
Tres Agaves ticks all the right boxes for what you’re looking for in a Margarita mixer. Its not overly complicated, as it’s made with just four organic ingredients: agave nectar, lime juice, filtered water and vitamin C . Plus, the mixer is shelf-stable and has only 68 calories per serving. Give this mixer a try using some of the brand’s blanco, or any tequila you prefer.
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Just Add Tequila For The Perfect Fiesta
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Liquor / Chloe Jeong
To make , all you need are a few simple ingredients: high-quality tequila, fresh lime juice, and a citrus sweetener like triple sec, Cointreau, Grand Marnier, or even just a little agave syrup. Combine, shake and pour, its as easy as that. But, when you dont have the right ingredients or the time to whip up a drink, a good Margarita mixer can be incredibly helpful. There is a wide variety to choose from. Each has a distinctive flavor profile, from sour to spicy to fruity, offering something for every palate.
Here are the best Margarita mixes that are both delicious and affordable.
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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Best Under $: Los Arango Blanco
Region: Guanajuato, Mexico | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Vanilla, Agave, Herbs
Produced at Tequilera Corralejo in the state of Guanajuato, Jaliscos eastern neighbor, Los Arango Blanco is made with agave steamed relatively quickly in a high-pressure autoclave, then crushed with a roller mill, and distilled in a copper pot. Its one of the best blancos on the market, and at a great price, says Stevie Latona, bar manager at San Diegos Lionfish restaurant. Along with vanilla notes, the toasted agave and fresh herb flavors, he says, create a soft, smooth taste on the rocks or in a cocktail, its one of my go-tos.”
Region: Jalisco, Mexico | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Cherry, Mint, Pepper
A NOM is a number used to indicate the distillery in which the tequila is made. To produce this special bottle of ArteNOM, distiller Jake Lustig teamed up with the Camarenas, the family that owns and operates NOM 1579, Jaliscos Destileria el Pandillo. Brick-oven, steam-roasted agave is crushed by a special tahona called Frankenstein, jerry-rigged out of scavenged parts: a junkyard cylinder and an old train wheel axle. After copper pot distilling with a mix of rain and well water, its left to oxidize overnighta key process as oxygen accentuates the blancos fruity nature. Cherry and papaya notes mingle with mint and pepper in a spirit with a big, silky mouthfeel.
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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Opt For Silver Tequila
Stick with clear liquors like silver tequila to help avoid congeners, a compound created during alcohol fermentation thats been linked to more severe, longer-lasting hangovers.
That doesnt mean you can start pounding shots or go back for a third margarita. But silver or blanco tequila may make the next day less painful and be less taxing on your body.
Tequila Sunrise Drink Recipe
The Tequila Sunrise is an old classic drink recipe that sticks around because its so tasty. Its also surprisingly easy to pour for such a beautiful drink.
The Tequila Sunrise is a classic cocktail recipe blending grenadine with tequila and orange juice. Because the grenadine sinks to the bottom, it looks like a sunrise.
The flavor is orange and berry, with notes from whatever tequila you use. And its worth using a small batch grenadine for a fresher taste, since it comes across in this drink.
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What Is Joven Tequila
If youve ordered Tequila at a bar, youll probably have been asked Silver or Gold?
As we covered above, Silver Tequila is also known as Blanco.
Gold Tequila, like Jose Cuervo Especial Reposado, is another name for Joven Tequila.
Joven is Spanish for young, and this type is made by blending young Blanco Tequilas with Reposado.
There is another type of blend called Mixto.
Like the name might suggest, Mixto takes a mix of Tequila with sugars, syrups, and other ingredients.
This recreates the flavours of types like Reposado, but without having to wait for the spirit to age. Neat, huh?
Tequila Is The Intellectual Property Of Mexico: True
In fact, its illegal for other countries besides Mexico to sell tequila. In 1974, the Mexican government declared the term tequila the intellectual property of Mexico. Mexican law requires tequila to be produced only in certain regions of the country. Tequila sold outside Mexico is technically a mezcal or a mixto.
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Best Simple: Powell & Mahoney Classic Margarita
Courtesy of Amazon
Simplicity and few ingredients usually make for the best Margarita mix, as exemplified in Powell & Mahoneys Classic Margarita mixer. The only ingredients are non-GMO ones like lime juice, cane sugar and organic agave syrup. And, while youre at it, why not try some organic-certified tequila when using this to make a Margarita?
Best For Palomas: Siembra Valles High Proof
Courtesy of TequilaConnection
Region: Jalisco, Mexico | ABV: 46% | Tasting Notes: Licorice, Black pepper, Freshly-cut grass
Siembra Valles boasts a formidable line of classically-produced tequilas, but their high-proof offering is particularly excellent in cocktailsespecially citrus-forward drinks like the paloma. This boldly-flavored tequila is produced very traditionally, with the agave cooked in brick ovens, the crushing being done via tahona, and the fermentation taking place with the bagasse , which adds richness and complexity. Finally, double-distillation in copper stills yields a delicious spirit that’s bottled at a robust 46 percent ABV. Use this in your next paloma, and you’ll be able to look forward to assertive notes of black pepper, citrus, licorice, and freshly-cut grass intermingling perfectly with the grapefruit and lime in your glass.
Region: Jalisco, Mexico | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Pine, Lavender, Vanilla
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The Best Tequila Cocktails
If you love tequila cocktails, then you cant miss these recipes. Were also covering the origins of tequila, the different types, and more!
What is tequila? Is it exquisite nectar blessed to us from the heavens? Or is it a distilled spirit harvested from the blue agave plant?
Our bets are on the latter, however if the tequila gods descended to the Earth and presented to us their finest tequila cocktails to boot, we wouldnt be surprised.
Because if there was anything wed have in common, it would be our love for the precious blue agave plant in all its intoxicating glory!
Why Do People Love This Drink
The popularity of this drink comes from how beautiful it is when you serve it, how good it tastes, and how easy it is to make.
Thats like the trifecta of cocktail recipes. When it looks as good as it tastes, but it doesnt take a professional bartender to make it pretty, thats a great drink. Specifically:
- The sunrise effect is memorable and gorgeous. You dont even need a fruit garnish, although that makes it even prettier.
- The taste is orange and berry, with some agave notes from the tequila in the background. Who doesnt love orange and berry?
- The process of making it is just pouring ingredients into a glass of ice. No stirring or shaking.
The long-standing appeal of orange juice drinks is actually the juice as much as the alcohol. It hydrates your body and provides Vitamin C to prevent or reduce hangover effects. But you still get your alcohol kick, too.
Other orange juice based drinks include the Screwdriver, the Orange Blossom and the Harvey Wallbanger.
The Tequila Sunrise is a great choice to serve guests who are just social drinkers. Its delicious and theres a high ratio of mixers to spirits in this one.
But its equally popular with more dedicated drinkers. That orange and berry flavor is a very likable combination, even for people who dont love tequila.
If you have a guest who really doesnt like tequila, you can always serve them the Vodka Sunrise. Its virtually the same drink, only with the less flavorful vodka in place of the tequila.
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Whats The Proper Way To Taste Tequila
Shooting tequila with lime and salt is a hard habit to break. But in truth, thats no way to appreciate this complex and nuanced spirit. To drink tequila like a real connoisseur, follow these simple guidelines.
- After pouring about 1 ounce of tequila in a brandy snifter, hold the snifter at the base . Appreciate the color of the tequila by raising the snifter to eye level.
- Swirl the tequila gently to the left for about 1 minute. Does the tequila cling to the side of the glass before falling slowly to form whats called the string of pearls effect?
- After taking a small sip, keep the tequila between your lips and tip of your tongue for about 10 seconds. Swish the tequila around the inside of your mouth before swallowing. Let the flavors come to you.
Whats most important is to find out which tequila you like best. That way, whether you mix tequila into a margarita or drink it straight, youll always be satisfied. When sampling tequila, pay attention to what kind of tequila youre trying. Here are the primary kinds of tequila:
Where And How Is The Best Tequila Made
There are a lot of specific rules and guidelines governing where, how, and from what tequila is made. Heres what you need to know:
- Most tequila is 38% to 40% ABV serious business. Drink with caution.
- Tequila is a type of mezcal. The regions of production of the two drinks are overlapping. The distinction is that tequila must use only blue agave rather than any type of agave.
- More than 300 million blue agave plants are harvested each year.
- Tequila was first exported to the United States in the late 19th century.
- Tequila is made primarily in areas near and around the city of wait for it Tequila, Mexico. Its also made northwest of Guadalajara, and in the Jaliscan Highlands of the central western Mexican state of Jalisco.
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What Is The Easiest Tequila Cocktail To Make
The Tequila Sunrise. Its the first combination on our list above and all you need is your favorite brand of tequila, some orange juice, and a bottle of Grenadine.
Also sharing a very simple tequila cocktail recipe below. Similar to our strawberry tequila sodas, this one is made with grapefruit soda.
Also check out our dirty martini made with tequila! Its SO good!
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What Kind Of Soda To Mix With Tequila
You can use Club Soda, Seltzer or Sparkling Mineral Water. I usually make my own bubbly water with my SodaStream but each option will work in this recipe and be a 0 calorie mixer.
The key is to not use a sweet mixer. Tonic Water, Sprite or Seven-Up will increase your caloric intake. You want the crispness of the sparkling water without the added sugar or calories of a sweet mixer.
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