How to Drink Tequila: All You Need to Know
Written by Emma C | Updated March 2024
Discover the enchanting world of tequila with Taster's Club. Whether you're a seasoned aficionado or just embarking on your tequila adventure, we're here to guide you through every sip. The art of enjoying tequila is influenced by factors like the distillation process, aging, and the unique regions where its agave flourishes. Engage all your senses as you explore the vibrant colors, complex aromas, and rich flavors of this cherished spirit. Remember, tequila isn't just a drink—it's an invitation to laughter, a partner in thrilling escapades, and the magic that makes ordinary moments extraordinary. Here's to new experiences and unforgettable memories! Salud!
Embark on a tantalizing curated journey at Taster's Club Tequila Clubs - Discover the essence of Mexico and beyond, sip by sip!
Elevate your tequila experience with Taster's Club Tequila Club, offering two exciting journeys. They can indulge in carefully selected blancos, reposados, and añejos for savoring neat or enhancing their favorite cocktails. Alternatively, they can savor hand-picked aged expressions like Reposados and Extra Anejos, each presenting a unique and complex flavor profile at its finest.
1. Drinking Tequila Neat
What does drinking tequila “neat” mean?
Drinking tequila neat means absolutely nothing is added – no muss, no fuss. This method of enjoying the spirit helps to capture its intricate nuances in aroma and flavor notes. You can notice subtleties in each sip that you might easily miss otherwise.
2. Drinking Tequila On The Rocks
Another wonderful way to enjoy tequila’s full flavors is over 1-2 clear ice cubes or some crushed ice in a lowball or double rocks glass. The bit of water from the ice helps to mellow out the spirit’s aromas, letting you appreciate its other nuances and details. A few drops of water achieves the same thing if you’re not up for ice.
3. Drinking Tequila With Fruit
Some people love the quintessential salt and lime with their shot of tequila, while others feel it masks or detracts from the flavor. If you’re in the first camp, you can take it beyond lime and venture into other citrus flavors. For example, pineapple will bring out sweeter notes, while orange or grapefruit will result in a crisper, more refreshing drink.
4. Drinking Tequila In A Margarita
To add a bit of fun and authenticity to your drinking experience, you can’t go wrong with the classic margarita, complete with a salted rim to balance the drink’s sweetness and let the agave notes come through. We suggest avoiding the frozen varieties, which can mask the tequila taste in favor of sugar. You’re best to opt for real ingredients to fully savor tequila’s flavor.
5. Drinking Tequila In Classic Cocktails
So many different cocktail types taste amazing and enhance your drinking experience when you swap out the typical spirit with the smooth, refreshing flavors of tequila. Here are some of our favorite classic cocktails with tequila. Here are some of our favorite tequila cocktails:
Tequila Negroni
Instead of gin, try the Tequila Negroni. We've taken this classic gin cocktail and substituted it with a blanco or silver tequila, which rounds out the slightly bitter taste of a Negroni for a smooth, delicious drinking experience. Garnish with an orange peel.
Mojito de Flor
Swap out the rum with tequila with this pretty Mojito de Flor: A popular cocktail with global appeal, the Mojito lives up to the magic of its namesake. What began as a medicinal drink to ward off illness, the Mojito found its popularity after associations with pirates, Ernest Hemingway, and the James Bond film franchise.
Mexican Blue Hurricane
Keep the tropical look but lighten up the sweetness by using tequila instead with a Mexican Blue Hurricane. Can you pronounce “curacao”? (Try cure-ah-sow). It's what gives the traditional Blue Hawaiian cocktail that ocean-blue tint and adds a unique bitter, orange flavor. We've taken this sweet cocktail and substituted rum with tequila for a more refreshing, lower-calorie take.
As you can see, there are several ways to drink tequila, and every tequila lover has their favorite method and maker. In time, you will too. The best part is the journey of getting there, exploring the different types of tequila and seeing what you love. There is no one or right way, no matter what anyone says about how to drink tequila. Just experiment, have fun, and don't be nervous. Want some bottle ideas? For the best tequilas to get started with – however you choose to drink it – check out our top 10 tequilas.