How do you drink tequila? When asked this question, many people probably think of all-night parties where you washed down the tequila with salt and lemon to make it drinkable. A real Mexican, however, would only shake his head...

How do you drink tequila? When asked this question, many people probably think of all-night parties where you washed down the tequila with salt and lemon to make it drinkable. A real Mexican, however, would only shake his head at this sight.

There are far more stylish ways of enjoying the Mexican agave spirit and thus giving tequila a little more appreciation. After all, a drink whose production involves so much effort also deserves a certain amount of recognition.

Read here what tequila actually is and how it can best be enjoyed.

Tequila – a Mexican history of production

Tequila is one of the most strictly regulated spirits around. Its production is very complex and can almost only take place in Mexico. This is because it is the home of the agave plant from which tequila is made. The long fleshy leaves are its trademark.

But what makes the production so complicated? For one thing, the growth of the agaves plays a major role here. The tall flower stems have to be cut off in time to give the plant its perfect sugar content. This can take up to several decades and the harvest is done by hand.

When the time has come, a very traditional production process takes place: the agave hearts are crushed and boiled and then roasted for several days in large stone ovens. Then the juice has to be pressed out. A traditional stone wheel pulled by a donkey is often used for this purpose. Finally, the juice is mashed and distilled.

The elaborate production history shows that tequila is a venerable drink that should be enjoyed as such. But what is the best way to drink it? We have collected the various drinking rituals for you:

The party classic

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with drinking a tequila with lemon and salt. Generally speaking, there is no right or wrong way to drink. In this classic party variation, a little lemon juice is drizzled on the back of the hand and the wet spot is then sprinkled with salt. This is licked off and the tequila shot is downed directly afterwards. Then bite into the slice of lemon to get rid of the taste. This method is widespread, especially in Europe, and is mainly good for Tequila Silver.

There is a similar ritual for Tequila Gold. Here, however, a slice of orange is sprinkled with cinnamon to match the flavour and served with the tequila. The drinking principle is then similar. Down the tequila and quickly bite into the orange slice. That’s it!

But if you really want to taste and enjoy tequila, you should stick to the more traditional ways of enjoying it. But how would a true Mexican enjoy his tequila?

Traditional like in Mexico

With salt and lime

Very similar to European drinking rituals, in Mexico a tequila is often drunk together with salt and lime. But with one very important difference. Because here it’s not about masking the taste with the lime and downing the tequila quickly. In this version, the focus is on enjoyment.

The salt is sprinkled on the lime and then bitten off. The salty, fruity bite is chewed a little until it lets out its full aromas. Only then is a sip of tequila slowly taken. The resulting fruity and spicy aroma is the perfect refreshment on hot days.

Pure

If you want to experience the pure taste of a tequila, you should try it neat at least once. This is best done at room temperature, as this allows the entire aroma to unfold. Especially with a high-quality tequila, it is worth it for the taste. Traditionally, tequila is drunk from caballito glasses.

Bandera

Bandera stands for flag and is another traditional Mexican way of enjoying tequila. In this version, Tequila Blanco, lime juice and Sangrita are poured into three different glasses. So you have glasses in three different colours: red, white, green – the national colours of Mexico. When drinking, you take a sip from each glass in turn. So this method is not only something for the taste buds, but also for the eye.

Cantario

Cantario is mainly drunk in Jalisco, the place for tequila in general. This drinking variant is characterised by a refreshing and summery fruit mixture. Here, the tequila is served together with oranges, grapefruits, limes, salt and chilli. Of course, ice is also a must for the perfect way to cool down when the Mexican sun is blazing.

Pajarete

Pajarete is a completely different way of drinking tequila. This type of drink is particularly popular at the beginning of work in the fields. Cane sugar, cocoa powder and coffee powder are added to the glass. But what really makes it taste good is the warm, freshly milked milk mixed with syrup or caramel. The perfect pick-me-up that makes you feel warm and cosy in the morning.

Tequila Submarine

If you’ve ever been to a Mexican bar, you may have seen the term Tequila Submarine on the drinks menu and wondered what it meant. This is another typical Mexican drink that is definitely worth ordering. Because in an illustrative performance, a tequila shot is elegantly tipped out in dark beer. Tequila Submarine is also worth trying for the good taste.

As a Cocktail

Tequila can also be used to create delicious cocktails. Probably the best known is the Tequila Sunrise. With its red-orange hues, it is reminiscent of a sunset after a wonderfully warm summer day. The perfect cocktail to round off the evening. Here is the recipe:

And what is your preferred way to drink tequila? Do you stick to the party version or do you prefer fruity cocktails? Maybe you’d like to try it the Mexican way? We’re sure you’ll enjoy one of the versions.

The post How do you drink tequila? appeared first on Urban Drinks UK Blog.

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