Whether you prefer a refreshing margarita, shots, or sipping it straight, tequila is a versatile star in any liquor collection. The market offers diverse options, ranging from bottles crafted by small family distilleries to those endorsed by major brands and celebrities.
Originating in Mexico, tequila is a distinctive spirit made from the fermented and distilled juice of the blue agave plant. Explore its five main types, each with unique characteristics and production methods.
Blanco tequila, the youngest variety, undergoes a brief aging period, often up to two months in stainless steel tanks. While some brands choose to age it longer, many bottle their blanco tequila immediately after distillation.
This process results in a clear spirit that is remarkably agave-forward, with a sharp and peppery profile and a distinct bite. The bold flavor may be intense for newcomers to tequila, yet it particularly excels in vibrant, citrusy cocktails.
How to drink?
Drinking blanco tequila is a delightful experience that can be enjoyed in various ways. Here are some suggestions on how to savor this vibrant spirit:
Sip Neat: Pour a small amount of blanco tequila into a quality glass, then savor the pristine, unaged agave notes with deliberate sips.
Chilled Shots: Chill your blanco tequila in the freezer for a refreshing shot or savor its nuanced flavors neat or over ice.
Tequila Tasting Flight: Explore the nuances of various blanco tequilas by organizing a tasting flight.
Salt and Citrus: Embrace tradition by savoring blanco tequila with a dash of salt and a citrus wedge.
Craft timeless cocktails such as Margaritas or Palomas that perfectly complement the agave-forward profile of blanco tequila. Below, you'll find the recipes for these beloved classics.
Classic Margarita:
2 oz blanco tequila
1 oz fresh lime juice
3/4 oz agave syrup
Salt for rimming the glass
Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a salt-rimmed glass.
Paloma:
2 oz blanco tequila
1/2 oz fresh lime juice
Grapefruit soda
Grapefruit wedge for garnish
Ice
Mix tequila and lime juice in a glass with ice. Top with grapefruit soda, stir, and garnish with a wedge.
Reposado, translating to "rested," signifies the aging period after distillation. Aged for two months to a year in oak barrels or stainless-steel vats, reposado is often matured in barrels that once housed American whiskey.
This process, along with the duration, results in a smooth, almost caramel-like flavor and a delicate golden hue. Widely favored in Mexico, reposado embodies the fullness of blue agave flavors with subtle barrel notes, offering a palate-friendly finish compared to a sharper blanco.
How to drink?
Savor reposado tequila responsibly, whether neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails, as its versatility caters to diverse preferences. Here are various ways to enjoy it:
Neat or On the Rocks: Sip reposado neat to savor its nuanced flavors or serve it over ice for a slightly chilled and diluted experience.
Reposado Cocktails: For a smoother mixed drink with a warm flavor profile, swap reposado into any cocktail recipe that calls for a blanco.
Sipping with Citrus: Enjoy it with a twist of orange or a wedge of lime to complement its flavors.
Salt and Cinnamon: For a traditional touch, pair reposado with a pinch of salt and a dash of cinnamon.
Reposado tequila cocktails elevate your drinking experience, adding sophistication and depth. Ready to indulge in the distinctive charms of reposado tequila? These cocktails are sure to impress.
Cadillac Margarita
2 oz reposado tequila
1 oz Grand Marnier or orange liqueur
1 oz fresh lime juice
1/2 oz simple syrup (adjust to taste)
Salt (for rimming the glass)
Ice
Strain the mixture into the salt-rimmed glass over fresh ice
Reposado Old Fashioned Cocktail
2 oz reposado tequila
1/4 oz agave syrup (adjust to taste)
2-3 dashes of Angostura bitters
Orange or grapefruit twist, for garnish
Large ice cube
Explore more must-try reposado cocktails such as the Reposado Paloma, Tequila Sour, Puesta de Sol (Sunset) Cocktail, Pear Nectar with Reposado Tequila, Aperol and Elderflower Margarita, and the Spanish Daisy, among others.
Añejo, translating to "old" in Spanish, perfectly encapsulates this tequila type. Aged for a minimum of one year and up to three in oak barrels (limited to 600 liters), añejo develops a rich flavor by allowing more spirit-wood interaction.
Unlike reposado, the barrel size is restricted, enhancing the tequila's depth. The result is a dark, caramel-hued spirit with notes reminiscent of other oak-aged spirits.
How to drink?
Aged tequilas are crafted to be savored on their own. Consider this: would you blend your Willett purple top with coke? The same principle holds true for tequila. Nevertheless, a touch of water or ice has never been known to spoil the experience.
On a related note, enjoying añejo tequila is a matter of personal preference, with individuals relishing it in various ways. Keep in mind that the enjoyment of tequila is a personal journey, and there's no strict rule on how to indulge in it.
While añejo tequila is often enjoyed neat to savor its aged complexity, it can also be used in cocktails to bring a rich and nuanced flavor profile. Here are a few añejo tequila cocktails for you to try:
Thai Basil Grapefruit Cocktail
5 Thai basil leaves
0.5 oz of lime juice
1.5 oz Añejo tequila
0.5 oz of green chartreuse
San Pellegrino - Pompelmo (grapefruit) flavor
Añejo Mash
1.5 oz of añejo tequila
0.5 oz of Grand Marnier
0.75 oz of agave syrup
6 fresh mint leaves
4 lemon wedges
Crushed ice
Discover additional añejo tequila cocktails, such as the Añejo Margarita, Añejo Tequila Sunrise, and Añejo Tequila Manhattan.
Extra añejo tequila undergoes a minimum three-year aging process, often maturing in multiple barrel types with a maximum capacity of 600 liters before bottling. Recognized as ultra-premium, its pricing mirrors the exceptional quality.
This "extra-aged" spirit, having an extended contact time with wood, boasts the most robust aromas and a deep amber hue unparalleled in other tequila varieties. Its flavor complexity draws parallels to aged whiskey and cognac.
How to drink?
Extra añejo tequila transcends the ordinary; it's far from suited for a margarita. A splurge-worthy, special-occasion sipper, this tequila is often enjoyed neat to relish its intricate flavors. While sipping straight is the norm, it can also be incorporated into cocktails for added depth and complexity.
Despite its higher price tag compared to other tequilas, the elevated drinking experience it delivers is well worth every penny.
Embrace the wild side with extra añejo – a bold choice that adds a creative twist to your happy hour. Whether sipped straight or mixed in one of these two must-try extra añejo cocktail recipes, it promises a unique and adventurous drinking experience.
Extra Añejo Manhattan
Ice
2 oz extra añejo tequila
1/2 oz sweet vermouth
1/4 oz Licor 43 (A citrus-and-vanilla-flavored Spanish liqueur)
Experience the pinnacle of VIP club sophistication with cristalino tequila—a cutting-edge classification that has taken the elite scene by storm. Through a meticulous process, aged tequila undergoes charcoal filtration to eliminate tannins, resulting in a beverage that purportedly offers a luxuriously softened mouthfeel.
Unquestionably, this technique not only eradicates the rich color but also seamlessly reverts aged tequila to a crystal-clear brilliance akin to the pure elegance of a blanco.
How to drink?
Savoring cristalino tequila is a delightful journey that invites you to fully appreciate its distinctive qualities. While this tequila is best savored neat, the versatility of enjoyment extends to various other enticing options, including:
Chilled Shots: For a refreshing twist, chill the cristalino tequila in the freezer and serve it in small, chilled shots.
On the Rocks: Serve cristalino tequila over ice to mellow the flavors and create a cool, refreshing sipper.
Cristalino Tequila Cocktails: You can also use it in cocktails to explore its versatility. Consider using it in classic tequila cocktails like the Margarita or Tequila Sunrise.
Sipping Ritual: Engage in a mindful sipping ritual. Take the time to observe the color, inhale the aromas, and sip slowly, allowing the flavors to unfold on your palate.
Experiment with Garnishes: A twist of citrus, such as orange or grapefruit, can complement the spirit's flavor profile.
Here are a few cristalino tequila cocktail recipes for you to try:
Cristalino Paloma:
2 oz cristalino tequila
1 oz fresh grapefruit juice
1/2 oz fresh lime juice
1/2 oz agave syrup
Club soda
Grapefruit slice for garnish
Salt for rimming (optional)
Cristalino Tequila Sunrise:
2 oz cristalino tequila
4 oz orange juice
1/2 oz Grenadine
Orange slice and cherry for garnish
Author
Editor
Deepa Pudasaini
Deepa Pudasaini is a food and beverage writer with a curious palate and a love for all things flavorful. She’s just as excited about discovering a new local brew as she is about telling the story behind a family-run kitchen. With a background in hospitality and a down-to-earth voice, Deepa writes about what we eat and drink in a way that’s relatable, thoughtful, and always a little bit adventurous.
For her, it’s not just about taste—it’s about the people, the craft, and the joy that good food and drink bring to our lives.
