Fantastic Tequila & Gorgeous Taste

Tequila is a?distilled spirit?made from the agave plant. The liquor can only be produced in designated areas of Mexico. Today, it is one of the most popular liquors in the world, though it's most often consumed in Mexico and the U.S. While tequila is the essential ingredient in?margaritas?and tequila shots are very popular, there are many other cocktail recipes in which it can be mixed.

What Is Tequila Made From?

Tequila is made by distilling the fermented juices of the Weber blue agave plant (Agave tequilana). A member of the lily family, it looks like a giant aloe vera with spiked barbs on the tips. After seven to 10 years of growth, the?agave?plant is ready to be harvested.

Underground, the plant produces a large bulb called a?pi?a, which looks?similar to a white pineapple. The agave's leaves are removed and the pi?as are quartered and slowly baked in steam or brick ovens until the starches are converted to sugars. The baked agave is crushed to extract the sweet juice, which is then fermented with yeast to convert the sugar into alcohol.

In 1978, the tequila industry initiated a set of strict Appellation of Origin standards. These regulate where and how tequila can be made, what is on the label, the style (or type) of tequila, and what can legally take the name "tequila."?NOM-006-SCFI-2012 defines these rules and it is overseen by the Consejo Regulador del Tequila (CRT, or Tequila Regulatory Council).

Tequila can only be produced, bottled, and inspected within certain municipalities of five Mexican states: Jalisco, Nayarit, Guanajuato, Michoacan, and Tamaulipas. Jalisco is home to the town of Tequila and is where the majority of modern tequila production takes place.

According to Mexican law, all tequila must contain at least 51 percent Weber blue agave. The?best tequila?is "100% Weber blue agave" and will be clearly marked on the bottle. Today, the majority of tequila is "Tequila 100% de Agave." Tequila that is not labeled 100 percent agave is called?mixto, meaning it is mixed with different agave varieties or includes other ingredients. It's often blended with sugar and water during distillation and may include additives.

Tequila is distilled in either pot or column stills until it reaches around 110 proof. Before bottling, the distillate is cut with water to obtain the bottling strength. Tequilas are usually?38 to 40 percent alcohol by volume?(ABV, 76 to 80 proof) but may not be stronger than 50 percent ABV (100 proof).

There are five?typos?(types) of tequila, based on standards set by the CRT according to how they're finished. Some tequilas are unaged and clear (blanco tequila). Others take on a brown color from one of two possible sources: caramel or other additives (gold tequila) or?barrel aging?(reposado and a?ejo tequilas).

In 2021, it became permissible to label flavored tequilas (e.g., cinnamon, citrus, lime, etc.) "tequila;" prior to that, they were "tequila products." However, 100 percent agave tequilas cannot be flavored.

What Does Tequila Taste Like?

The taste of tequila will vary depending on where the agave was grown as well as the type of tequila. Blanco tequilas offer the purest taste, with an earthy, semi-sweet flavor that is distinctly agave. Tequila made in the lowlands is fruitier and earthier while tequila from the highlands is greener and brighter. With barrel aging, tequila begins to take on oaky flavors of varying degrees.

Types

Blanco Tequila (Tipo 1):?Blanco (or silver, white) tequila is a clear spirit. These tequilas are rested no more than 60 days in stainless steel tanks if they are aged at all. In general, it's a quality, affordable, all-purpose tequila to keep in stock.

Joven Tequila (Tipo 2):?Joven?(young) or?oro?(gold) tequilas are often unaged tequilas. Unlike the other styles, they are typically not 100 percent agave, but instead a mixto. These tequilas may be colored and flavored with caramel, oak extract, glycerin, syrup, and other additives. It was the most widely distributed type in the U.S. during the late 1900s and has been almost entirely replaced by the other types today because of the difference in quality.

Reposado Tequila (Tipo 3):?Reposado?(rested) tequilas are aged in wood casks for a minimum of two months; many from three to nine months. The barrels mellow the flavors of a blanco and impart a soft oak flavor while giving the tequila a light straw color. Many distilleries age their tequilas in used bourbon barrels, which adds another dimension to the finished taste. Reposado tequilas are the middle ground of the three main types of tequila today.

A?ejo Tequila (Tipo 4):?A?ejo?(old) tequila is aged, often in white French oak or used?bourbon barrels,?for a minimum of one year to produce a dark, very robust spirit. Most a?ejos are aged between 18 months and three years. These tend to be very smooth with a nice balance of agave and oak flavors accented by butterscotch and caramel undertones.

Extra-A?ejo Tequila (Tipo 5):?The change in the tequila market of recent decades led to the creation of the fifth type of tequila in 2006, which is labeled?extra-a?ejo?or?muy a?ejo?(extra-old). These tequilas spend over three years in barrels and have a profile that rivals some of the?oldest whiskeys?you can find.

How to Drink Tequila

Tequila is very versatile and you can drink it in many ways. It's commonly enjoyed as a?shot, either straight, with a lemon and salt or with mixers. Tequila cocktails are diverse, ranging from shaken martini-like drinks to refreshing soda or juice highballs. Fruity margaritas (blended or shaken) are very popular and tequila's the perfect match for spicy cocktails. You can even find sweet or creamy tequila recipes.?Aged tequilas?are often sipped straight, whether that's chilled or on the rocks. Tequila is a great pairing for Mexican and Tex-Mex food and tequila cocktails make a nice addition to barbecues and summer parties.

Cocktail Recipes

While tequila cocktails are very diverse, there are a few essential recipes that should be included in everyone's tequila experience:

• Chimayo
• Margarita cocktail
• Paloma
• Sangrita
• Tequila sunrise

Popular Brands

The tequila market is continually expanding, though there are a few well-known names that remain popular. The majority of?tequila brands?offer a blanco, reposado, and a?ejo tequila in their portfolio. You can typically expect to pay $10 more when upgrading to the next level.

• 1800 Tequila
• Don Julio
• Jose Cuervo
• Herradura
• Hornitos
• Patrón?
• Sauza