Yahoo Finance From Tequila Cocktails To Tequila Slammers, Here's Why We Love Tequila
Tequila is a wonderful thing. Tequila slammers are great, tequila cocktails are the bomb, but if your tequila is really good, how about just sipping on it to taste all that flavoursome Agave flavour?
We all know we love drinking this Mexican spirit, but how much do we actually know about tequila? We spoke to Prospero's Master Distiller, Stella Anguiano, who gave us an insight into this delicious spirit.
So, mix yourself a Tequila Sunrise and let's learn the basics of tequila, shall we?
What is tequila?
Tequila is a distilled spirit, and more specifically, it's a type of mezcal, just like scotch and bourbon are types of whiskey. It originates from Mexico's town of Tequila (of course) in Jalisco, where 99% of tequila is still made to this day. But you can also get tequila made in Guanajuato, Michoacan, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas.
What is tequila made from?
Tequila is made from the juice of the Weber blue agave plant (Agave Tequilana). It's a member of the lily family, and it looks like a giant aloe vera with spiked barbs on the tips.
The origin of tequila
Tequila is believed to have been around since the 16th century. It all started when the Spanish conquistadors finished their brandy supply, so realised they'd have to make their own alcohol using the abundance of Agave fields.
What to look for in a good tequila
According to Mexican law, all tequilas must contain at least 51% Weber blue agave. The best tequila contains "100% Weber blue agave", and you'll be able to clearly see that on the label if that's the case. But also, an agave aroma (top notes of Kaffir lime, lemon zest, apple and blackcurrant followed by notes of lily of the valley and rose) is probably one of the most important factors to look for in a good tequila.
Does an expensive tequila necessarily mean a better tequila?
More expensive doesn't always mean better when it comes to tequila. It’s really all about the quality of the ingredients and how it’s made.
What's the difference between Blanco, Reposado and Añejo tequilas?
The ageing in oak barrels is what differentiates the expressions of tequila from one another. Blanco is tequila in its purest form. It’s the freshly distilled spirit without any oak ageing at all. Reposado tequila is aged for between two months and a year, while Añejo is aged for between one year and three years. Añejo tequila is more of a sipping tequila and will have lovely flavours of agave as well as hints of vanilla. And Extra Añejo means it's been aged for even longer.
Is Tequila Rose actually tequila?
Yes, sort-of. Tequila Rose is a Mexican cream liqueur that's a mixture of strawberry cream liqueur and tequila. The tequila is very subtle and really only gives a spirit flavour to the liqueur.
The best way to drink tequila
Sipping tequila straight is the best way way to do it. That way you get to taste it in its purest form. Well, as long as it's a nice tequila...
Tequila cocktails can be great fun too.
Tequila cocktails
If you love tequila and you love cocktails, why not try one of these:
How did the tequila slammer tradition start?
Traditionally, salt and lime was used to cover the strong and rough taste of bad tequilas from previous generations. Nowadays, the tequilas being produced are softer and smoother, so the use of salt and lime is not necessarily needed.
How to store tequila
Tequila doesn't need special treatment when it comes to storage, but as with most alcohol - especially spirits - try to keep it somewhere cool.
The best tequila glasses
There are a few different options when it comes to tequila glasses. A caballito (shot glass), it is the most traditional one. However, if you want to get the best aromas from it, you want to use a Riedel tequila glass.
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