Best For Stirred Cocktails: Siembre Valles Reposado
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Especially in fall and winter, Mix likes this tequila from Siembra Valles in boozy, stirred drinks in the Old Fashioned realm. Its quite rich and caramelly, but with plenty of spice bringing almost a confectionary quality, like cinnamon crème brûlée, she says. There are notes of black pepper here, too, because this reposado is from Jalisco Valley, where the agave tastes bolder. Still, its more delicate than other Valley tequilas. It pulls and plays with itself, says Mix.
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Best Under $: Herradura Reposado Tequila
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A favorite go-to for Easterbrook, Herradura’s popular tequila, produced by a distillery known for its environmentally-friendly practices, launched the entire reposado category back in 1974. Today, it is easy to find and remains inexpensive.
With a super smooth mouthfeel and a pleasing cooked agave flavor, this tequila is overlaid by rich, creamy vanilla notes from a full 11 months spent in American oak. Its a very well-rounded reposado that you can sip neat, throw on rocks, or mix into an amazing cocktail, says Easterbrook. It hits all the points I like. Its not too sweet or too spicy its perfectly balanced.
What Is A Tequila Sunrise
No matter what time of year it is, you can enjoy a Tequila Sunrise. A Tequila Sunrise is similar to a Screwdriver, except that you also mix in grenadine .
Grenadine is a commonly used, non-alcoholic bar syrup, characterized by deep red color and a flavor that is both tart and sweet. It is popular as an ingredient in cocktails, both for its flavor and to give a reddish or pink tint to mixed drinks.
Heres how to make a Tequila Sunrise:
- Ice
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How To Enjoy Reposado Tequila
If youre looking to sit back and enjoy a quality reposado, you have a few options. Many can hold their own when it comes to mixing in tequila cocktails since they dont detract from other fruit flavors or syrups. In fact, they can even enhance or add sophistication to them. Try a reposado in a margarita or tequila ginger highball.
On the other hand, some reposados let the agave and sweet and spicy barrel flavors come through and are best for sipping neat or on the rocks.
When it comes to food, try a light reposado with your meal. If youre looking for a great dessert pairing, opt for a more aged bottle.
Making The Mexican Mule:
This tequila drink is very simple to put together. Here is your visual journey through the process. You can also watch my Video demonstration at the top of this post and in the sidebar of this article.
- Fill your cocktail shaker with ice.
- slice a lime in half
- squeeze the lime into your shaker.
- measure and pour in the tequila.
- measure and pour in the simple syrup.
- tightly cap your shaker.
- shake until the shaker is very cold.
- fill your glass with ice.
- strain the shaked ingredients into your glass.
- Top if off with ginger ale.
- Garnish with the lime wheel. Enjoy!
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Why I Love This Recipe
Much like my cooking philosophy, I believe that using fresh, fragrant ingredients will yield the best possible results when making a cocktail, and this reposado paloma is no different.
While the original version of Palomas were made with grapefruit flavored sodas, I much prefer the flavor of real juice. I call for fresh grapefruit juice and a real lime to make this cocktail extra refreshing.
My advice for anyone who wants to make tequila cocktails is to use 100% agave. This is a spirit that should be made entirely from the agave plant. I dont understand why people choose to make margaritas or palomas with cheap tequila. I promise you, its just not worth the hangover .
Treat yourself to an artisanal cocktail at home by making this reposado paloma with Exotico Tequila. Exoticos reposado has hints of vanilla, caramel and cinnamon that gives this paloma a very rich and smooth taste without a lot of bite. I promise that this is a bottle youll want to buy again and again!
And dont worry, friends. Even though this delicious reposado paloma could easily command a cool $12 to 15 at your local watering hole, making it at home means it will be much more affordable. So, sit and enjoy the setting sun a little longer tonight youll definitely want a second round of this tasty beverage!
Bottom Shelf Tequila Reposado
1. Herradura Reposado Tequila
Herradura is one of the harbingers of reposado, introducing their first rendition in 1974. The expression set the standard for the reposado category, with its enticing, aroma, and well-rounded, balanced palate.
Their Reposado Tequila is also aged for a full eleven months, which is nine months more than the standard time for reposado. In addition to its complex profile, the aging gives it a deep and unique copper color.
The nose is rich with delightful spices, followed by a palate full of butter, vanilla, and agave. Its an exhilarating balance of sweet and spicy.
2. Partida Reposado Tequila
Partida Reposado Tequila is among the highest-rated reposados, earning the Best Reposado Tequila award at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge. Its aged for a solid six months in ex-bourbon oak barrels.
The aroma is complex, with notes of cooked agave, vanilla, butter, caramel, bourbon, almond, and hazelnut, each individually noticeable. The palate follows with the same flavors, offering an amazing mix of sweet and nutty.
The mouthfeel is silky with an incredibly smooth finish. These things make it great as a slow sipper, with many flavors to savor. Itll also bring any tequila cocktail to the next level.
3. El Espolon Reposado Tequila
The tequila is then twice distilled for about five and a half hours, which is two hours longer than the average reposado. Its then aged for three to five months in new Amerian oak barrels that are lightly charred.
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Joven Or Gold Tequila
Gold tequilas were widely distributed in the US during the last few decades of the 20th century.
Unaged, gold tequilas are usually mixtos, colored and flavored with caramel, oak extract, glycerin, syrup, and other additives.
In other words: theyre sugary. Gold tequilas are the prime culprit behind those nasty tequila hangovers.
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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Should You Add Other Liquors To Your Margarita
Triple sec, Cointreau, and Grand Marnier can be used to add a sophisticated orange sweetener to margaritas. They also add a smooth balance to the lime.
For more a natural agave flavor, simply use an agave syrup. A natural sweetener, the syrup heightens the agave flavor, while adding complexity that other sweeteners diminish.
Wieso Sollte Ich Mir Einen Tequila Sunrise Mixen
Bei aller Stones-Liebe bleibt der Drink in seiner Standard-Version erstmal schwierig. An der grundsätzlichen Genuss-Problematik ändert es meist auch nicht viel, wenn man auf höherwertigen Tequila umsteigt: Der Orangensaft und die pappsüße Grenadine sind derart vordergründig, dass man die feinen Aromen eines guten Tequila kaum herausschmeckt. Trotzdem solltet ihr einen noch möglichst günstigen 100%-Agave-Tequila nehmen: Damit schmeckt der Tequila Sunrise nicht mehr nach Saft mit Nagellackentferner, sondern nach Saft mit einem Hauch Exotik und würziger Agave. Topanito Tequila ist hier in Sachen Preis-Leistung ziemlich unerreicht, m besten der 50%-ige, der nicht nur mehr Alkohol, sondern auch noch mehr Geschmack mitbringt. Ein noch nuancierterer Tequila würde in diesem Drink seine Facetten verlieren. Jedenfalls: Mit einem guten Tequila wird die Nummer dann ungelogen schon ganz lecker. Damit aus dem Ding dann aber auch ein ernstzunehmender Drink wird, muss man zum einen den Saft reduzieren allein schon, damit man wieder bemerkt, dass man Alkohol trinkt und zum anderen auf Tetrapacks verzichten:
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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:
Recipe Tips And Variations:
- Glassware: The more dynamic, the better. Tall glasses really show off the sunrise.
- Tequila Sunset: Some variations use grapefruit juice instead of orange juice. Other recipes call for raspberry Chambord, crème de cacao, or even blackberry brandy drizzled over the drink instead grenadine, giving the drink a darker, purplish hue that resembles a sunset.
- Tequila Screwdriver: Make it with tequila, orange juice, and a pinch of salt .
- Grenadine substitute: Feel free to experiment with a drizzle of pomegranate molasses, a splash of cranberry juice, or raspberry syrup instead.
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How Do You Use Reposado Tequila
Use in Cocktails
Reposado adds the oak and vanilla from the time it has spent in barrels, so it is better used in heavier cocktails, although it will perform very well in a Margarita as well. And anejo tequila is often employed as a whiskey substitute in drinks like a Tequila Old Fashioned or Tequila Manhattan.
Intermediate: Grapefruit & Rosemary
Reposado tequila makes a delicious margarita. But its great in more complex drinks, too, like this shaken cocktail with grapefruit and Aperol and a big rosemary garnish that brings out some of the spirits herbaceous qualities. Warning: These go down easy.
Instructions: To a cocktail shaker with ice, add 1 1/2 ounces of reposado tequila, 3/4 ounce of grapefruit juice, 1/4 ounce fresh lime juice, 3/4 ounce of Aperol, 1/4 ounce of agave syrup , and 1 dash of orange bitters. Shake it all up and strain into a rocks glass with fresh ice. Garnish with a grapefruit slice and a big sprig of rosemary.
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What The Heck Is Mezcal
Remember when I said that REAL tequila is made from BLUE agave and only in very specific regions? Well, when those guidelines are not followed, what you have is mezcal . Made from the more common Maguey plant , mezcal has a smoky and MUCH harsher taste to it. It is not a strict rule, but generally speaking, mezcal is considered lower-quality and less refined than tequila.
How To Make A Fresh Grapefruit Paloma
Rub a wedge of lime around the rim of the glass and the dip the outside of the rim of the glass in coarse salt or Tajín.
Add the tequila, grapefruit juice, and lime juice to a cocktail shaker. If you like your cocktails on the sweeter side, feel free to add agave nectar. Fill cocktail shaker with ice.
Shake well strain into two ice-filled, salt-rimmed rocks glasses. Top with club soda. Garnish with grapefruit and lime slices. Enjoy!
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Vuelo Del Aviador Gran Reserva Reposado
Vuelo Del Aviador Gran Reserva Reposado is aged in Napa Valley red wine barrels both American and French oak for nine months. Offering a complex and rich finish much like a fine brandy, this reposado comes with cherry oak, anise, toasted agave, and vanilla scents and tastes of apples and honey. It gets spicier and drier as the oak notes linger in your mouth.
Three Questions Youve Asked About Tequila
Tequila is such a versatile drink, whether sipped or mixed into a cocktail, so were going to answer three common questions youve asked about tequila, go over some basic tequila terminology, and some pro tips with a few fun facts to get you on your way to being a master tequila mixer.
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Best For Sipping: G4 Tequila Reposado
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Both long-time tequila fans and those who are new to the category will love this reposado from Destileria el Pandillo, where the fourth-generation Camarena family uses a special tahona, or millstone, made from recycled metal parts to break down the agave. Their innovative ways dont stop there they also distill their tequila using a blend of neutral rainwater and mineral-laden spring water for an approachable yet structured spirit.
Aged in both American and French oak, G4 Tequila’s reposado offers buttery, orange flavors but with a mineral-driven backbone and a cinnamon finish. Sip it neat and enjoy the craftsmanship.
It Begins With Production
To qualify as tequila, the spirit must be distilled in one of five regions in Mexico, the best known of which is Jalisco. Technically, tequila is a form of mezcal, but it does not have the smoky flavor commonly associated with that spirit.
Like mezcal, tequila is agave-based. It can be either mixto , or the much higher-quality, 100 percent agave version. Bribon Tequila is made from seven to 10 year old agave that has been cooked for 18 hours at the distillery. The juice from the shredded agave is fermented using Don Robertos proprietary strain of yeast. Finally, the liquid is distilled twice in both pot and column stills.
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To Salt Or Not To Salt
Some mixologists say salt opens up the taste buds and the palate, aiding in the tasting experience. Others say salt neutralizes the sweetness of the cocktail. We at RAVE say salt accompanies the agave and lime flavors nicely, while enhancing the overall margarita experience.
When salting a margarita glass, first swipe a lime around the edge of the glass. That way the salt sticks.
Best Overall: Siete Leguas Tequila Reposado
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Mix calls this one the bartenders choice. Easy on the wallet and the palate, Siete Leguas reposado hits the sweet spot of age, she says. Its not the youngest and not the oldest, but its consistently great for cocktails as well as sipping neat.
Youll taste a marked mineralitysoapstone or whetstonefollowed by orange zest and the subtle flavor of vanilla that the barrel imparts. Theres also clove and other baking spices that tie into the minerality, along with the richness of the agave coming through, says Mix, which is just what you want from a reposado. You should get that agave flavor at the end, like, Oh, yeah, Im drinking tequila.
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Cocktails That Will Restore Your Faith In Tequila
Its not all shots and margaritas, you know. Celebrate National Tequila Day on July 24 with 100% agave el Jimador tequila.
2 oz el Jimador Silver tequila
3 splashes Worcestershire sauce
½ oz fresh lime juice
4 oz tomato juice
Olives, for garnish
Lime wedge, for garnish
Steps: Combine all ingredients in shaker except for garnishes. Strain into ice-filled glass, then garnish with celery, olives, and lime wedge.
Youll need:
2 oz el Jimador Reposado tequila
5 oz cola
1 oz lime juice
Lime wedge, for garnish
Steps: Rim highball glass with salt, then add ice. Stir in tequila, cola, and lime juice, and garnish with lime wedge.
Youll need:
Handful of fresh mint leaves
2 oz el Jimador Reposado or Añejo tequila
1 oz lime juice
1 lime, quartered
Sprigs of mint, for garnish
Steps: Place ice cubes, mint leaves, tequila, lime juice, and lemon juice in blender. Squeeze juice from limes and divide limes between each glass. Blend until well combined. Divide between glasses and top with sprigs of mint.
Youll need:
1 ½ oz el Jimador Reposado tequila
1 splash grenadine
3 oz blood orange juice
1 oz orange juice, to top
Steps: Pour ingredients together over ice. For extra style points, grind blood-orange pulp and add to the bottom of glass before ice. Top with orange juice.
Youll need:
1 ½ oz el Jimador Reposado tequila
1 oz raspberry puree
2 oz el Jimador Silver tequila
1 oz grapefruit juice
What Should I Mix With Tequila 6 Cocktails To Try
Before you start mixing drinks, be sure you have the proper tools and cocktail glasses for any home mixologist. Check out our article onthe most important drink mixing tools for a home mixologist.
Whether you go for reposado tequila, an anejo tequila, or a smoky mezcal, we have a number of cocktail recipes for you to make right at home. Lets jump right into tequila cocktails and recipes.
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Eiswrfel Oder Crushed Ice Im Tequila Sunrise
Das hat sich gereimt. Trotzdem: Das Sofort-Schmelz-Eis aus den Wir-machen-alles-wie-immer-nur-in-exotischer-90ern noch heute seinen Weg in so viele Gläser des Tequila Sunrise findet, ist ein mittelschweres Unding und bringt dem Drink absolut nichts, außer dass er in Minuten verwässert. Wir raten euch: nehmt Eiswürfel! Nicht falsch verstehen: Crushed Ice und der Effekt, den es auf manchen Drink hat, das hat seine Daseinsberechtigung. Nur eben nicht hier.
Und auch, wenn die meisten Rezepte raten, den Cocktail im Glas zu bauen: Shaked ihn und benutzt im Glas selbst frisches Eis, für Kühlung auf Crushed-Ice-Niveau aber ohne Crushed-Ice-Nachteile. Ein Tequila Sunrise hat außerdem vergleichsweise viel Volumen, der Gast hängt also sehr wahrscheinlich eine Weile am Glas. Damit sein Drink in der Zeit nicht verwässert, ist der Eiswechsel enorm hilfreich.