How To Drink Tequila
People drink tequila in all sorts of ways, and youll definitely find this varies between the US and Mexico. For a more authentic tequila experience, opt for a pure 100% agave Reposado, Añejo or Extra/Ultra Añejo tequila as opposed to mixto, which is made with sugar. Savor and truly appreciate it by sipping it slowly.
But, if you dont have much experience with tequila, you can always try the American method with lime and salt first. The smaller, brighter limes work best since theyre juicer and sweeter than the larger variety. Take a sip or two, dip a lime wedge into some salt and suck just a little bit so as not to overpower the flavor.
Of course, tequila also makes a great feature of many go-to cocktails, like the margarita, el diablo, or Paloma. The bottom line is you cant go wrong just follow your tastebuds.
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The Paloma has come up in the world.
Until recently, the simple highballmade of tequila, lime juice and grapefruit soda, or, alternatively, fresh grapefruit juice and sparkling waterwas known mainly in its native Mexico, where it has long been a staple refresher for locals and visitors alike.
But American interest in Mexican drinking culture has skyrocketed over the past decade. And tagging along on the trip across the border, along with countless new tequila and mezcal brands, has been the Paloma. Today, the drink is a common sight on drink menus and a regular order at bars, particularly in the summer. It hasnt quite the profile of its cousin, the Margarita, but its catching up.
The Paloma has gained a little more attention, said Ivy Mix, an owner of Brooklyn bar Leyenda and author of Spirits of Latin America. People actually know what it is now! At Leyenda, the Paloma, served on draft, has become one of the bars four bestsellers, with close to 40 served daily.
Mix was part of a recent blind tasting of 10 Palomas collected from prominent bartenders around the United States. Joining her on the judging panel were Lynnette Marrero, bar director for Llama Inn and Llama San and a co-founder, with Mix, of Speed Rack and PUNCH editors Chloe Frechette and Talia Baiocchi.
Thats the craft cocktail phenomenon, said Frechette. We have to overthink everything.
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.
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Our Top Choice Is The Fuenteseca Cosecha 2018
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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.
Our top pick is cult favorite Fuenteseca Cosecha 2018 based on its ripe agave base, artisanal production methods, and rich concentration of flavors.
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.
Best Tequilas For A Paloma Cocktail
The Paloma is a highball style cocktail, a simple mix where a spirit is served in a tall glass with a mixer. Hailing from Mexico, it pairs tequila with grapefruit soda and lime juice. Its a thirst-quenching refresher of a drink, best served in a glass filled to the top with ice.
The exact origins of the Paloma arent known, though it may be named after a popular Mexican folk song La Paloma. The recipe also has several variations, though the classic version also known as the Simple Paloma is attributed to Don Javier Delgado Corona, owner of La Capilla bar in Tequila.
The leading grapefruit soda brand used in Mexico is the brilliantly named Squirt, however if you prefer a sharp bitterness to your grapefruit drinks, you might find the sugary flavours of this brand rather bland.
In the UK, Ting used to be the most ubiquitous brand, but newer specialist sodas are also well worth seeking out. Both Two Keys Pink Grapefruit Mixer and Three Cents Pink Grapefruit Soda are premium, lip-smacking drinks that work brilliantly in a Paloma.
The Paloma can also be made with grapefruit juice and served with or without a salt rim. If you want total control over the piquancy of your drink, try creating your own grapefruit soda.
Start with respective measures of 50ml tequila, 25ml fresh grapefruit juice, 12.5ml lime juice, 5ml agave syrup and enough soda to top the drink off, and adjust accordingly from there. Or follow the suggested recipe below.
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Serve Your Paloma In A Highball Glass
No matter what you have seen done at a bar using anything other than a highball glass for your Paloma is a big no-no. If you use a smaller glasslike a rocks glassyoure going to be more inclined to use less soda, says Chavez. Even if you add too much soda when using a highball glass, the worst that is going to happen is that the drink is too refreshing and you drink it faster.
Is 1800 Tequila Considered Top Shelf
Yes, 1800 Tequila is considered top shelf. It is a premium tequila made from 100% blue agave. The agave is grown in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico and is distilled in small batches using traditional methods. 1800 Tequila has a smooth, mellow flavor with notes of vanilla, caramel and oak. It is perfect for sipping neat or enjoying in a cocktail.
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Is Dark Tequila Better Than Clear
No, dark tequila is not better than clear tequila. They are both made from the same type of agave plant, butdark tequila is aged for a longer period of time in oak barrels. This aging process gives dark tequila a richer flavor, but it also makes the drink more expensive. If you are looking for a cheaper option, clear tequila is the way to go.
May 22nd Is World Paloma Day
The holiday that pays homage to the delicious, thirst-quenching Paloma that proudly represents Mexico as its national tipple. Made with grapefruit soda, tequila, and a splash of lime, the highball style cocktail has become increasingly popular in the United States ever since the day was established back in 2019.
The precise origins of the Paloma are muddled, but it is rumored to be named after a popular Mexican folk song called La Paloma. The classic recipe includes one part tequila, three parts grapefruit soda, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. For the simple Palomas creation, many accredit owner of La Capilla bar in the town of Tequila, Jalisco, Don Javier Delgado Corona. Because Don received absolute credibility for the invention of another soda-based tequila cocktail, the Batanga, the theory does not seem so far-fetched.
To celebrate World Paloma, Chilleds expert bartenders from the Chilled 100 Group have composed a list the best tequilas to choose for a perfect Paloma! Sip on!
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Don Julio Reposado Or Aejo
A popular and readily available tequila brand in most markets, Don Julio claims a reputation as the first luxury tequila. Its smooth, well-integrated flavors make it well-worth a slightly higher price tag, and these taste profiles also make Don Julios Reposado and Añejo tequilas excellent fits for a Paloma.
The Paloma cocktail has been a favorite of mine in recent years, since its a little more refreshing and less sugary than the sour margarita alternative. I prefer to use Don Julio Reposado or Añejo for their vanilla notes, which I find complement the grapefruit and a nice substitute for the sugar you would add a silver tequila, explains head bartender Bradley Carnation of Scarpetta in New York City.
Doa Vega Mezcal Espadn
Head bartender Miguel Garcia of La Contenta Oeste in New York City favors Doña Vega Mezcal Espadín in his Palomas, explaining that I love using Doña Vega Mezcal Espadín because it gives the perfect amount of smokiness and texture to this traditional cocktail. Palomas are a classic, but using Doña Vega gives a more modern twist, highlighting the marriage between smokiness and tartness.
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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
Did You Make This Recipe
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If Tequila isnt your thing, then try our Frozen Negroni which is a twist on the classic Negroni cocktail.
Not a fan of grapefruit? I highly recommend trying our fan-favorite Raspberry Lemonade Moscato Slush. This is a quick, simple-to-make wine slush that doesnt require any prep or freezer time.
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How Is Tequila Made
Tequila is made from Blue Weber agave, a large succulent plant. Its bulb, or piña, gets baked and juiced. Then, the juice is fermented with yeast in barrels .
To be considered tequila, the spirit needs to be distilled with at least 51% agave and no more than 49% sugar. It gets bottled between 35% to 55% ABV , and it must be sold with at least 40% ABV in the US.
Paloma: History & Legends Of The Popular Mexican Cocktail
Etymologically, the word paloma means dove in Spanish. This bird is often associated with peace. The origin of this cocktail remains unknown until today. However, even if no one can say who is the worthy inventor of this delicious Mexican beverage, some sources attribute its creation to Don Javier Delgado Coroba. This man was the owner of a legendary bar named La Capilla in the city of Tequila in the Jalisco state of Mexico.
But as the old adage says, there is no smoke without fire! Because it is the same Don Javier Delgado Coroba who would be at the origin of another popular cocktail based on soda and tequila. Have you heard of bartanga? It is a cocktail made of Coca-Cola, tequila and lime juice.
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Build The Drink In The Glass
While some bartenders argue that shaking your juice, sugar and spirits together when making a Paloma results in a better cocktail, Chavez believes otherwise. Shaking might chill the drink faster, but you want this to be a drink that you can make quickly, he says. Its important that the drink stays simple.
Chavez suggests that you add all the ingredients to the glass, top with ice and then add soda. Stir at the end just to incorporate and to make sure that the drink is evenly mixed.
Mango And Ginger Kombucha Mule With Tequila
The Spruce / S& C Design Studios
Kombucha is an excellent cocktail mixer. With its slightly acidic taste and gentle fizz, kombucha can easily replace soda in mixed drinks. In this tequila kombucha mule recipe, ginger-flavored kombucha replaces the Moscow mule’s ginger beer to create a lively drink that’s both familiar and intriguingly different.
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Los Javis Mezcal Espadin
Heritage tequila and mezcal brands are often a savvy buy, as theyve managed to stand the test of time and continue to produce excellent agave spirits well suited to cocktails. Food & beverage director Chris Simmons of The Farmer and the Seahorse in San Diego prefers to use Los Javis Mezcal Espadin in Palomas, because its a small, family-owned and operated business with three generations of Javiers as the brands namesake. This value-driven mezcal offers the Paloma a perfectly smoked, mineral-forward, and full-flavored . While grapefruit remains the star of this classic , Los Javis Espadin brings an extra layer of complexity and intrigue to this fan-favorite cocktail.
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Always Use Fresh Lime Juice
No matter what tequila or mezcal you use at the base of your Paloma, it is absolutely necessary that you add a touch of fresh lime juice to the drink. You need lime to brighten the drink and give it that kick of acid that it needs, says Chavez. It is also important that you dont add too much lime or the drink will become unbalanced and too acidic. He found that the sweet spot for fresh lime juice is around half an ounce.
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How To Make A Paloma Recipe With Tequila
The Paloma is an incredibly easy to make option for hot days or even social events. Follow these simple instructions to give yourself a gift!
How strong is the Paloma alcohol? How weak or strong your Paloma ends up largely depends on how much soda you pour. Start with a small amount and gradually adjust to your liking.
Do you want to try an authentic classic tequila? Our easy Altos Paloma cocktail is perfect for celebrating a beautiful sunny afternoon, chilled evening or your next dinner party. Learn how to make it!
The Paloma Is A Popular Mexican Cocktail Starring Smooth Tequila And Sweet
When you think of Mexican cocktails, you likely envision classic lime margaritas. However, the Paloma, which is Spanish for dove, might even be more popular than the margarita in Mexico. Made with tequila, grapefruit soda and lime juice, the Paloma boasts a sweet and zesty flavor with a smooth finish. Best of allits a snap to make.
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What Kind Of Glass Do I Serve A Paloma Cocktail In
Highball glasses are best for these Spicy Palomas because you can float the soda on top without worrying about spills. Also, it gives you enough room for ice and stirring the base into the soda since its a soda cocktail.
You can also use a double old-fashioned glass, but youll have more cocktail mix leftover from this recipe. I mean, not that theres anything wrong with having 4 cocktails instead of 2.
While were on the subject of serving the palomas, use nugget ice if you can. It chills the cocktail thoroughly and dilutes it while you drink. I find this is a good idea since its potent. If youre not into diluting your drinks , you can use larger ice cubes.