Welcome back! Today, I explore the world of tequila for those seeking to deepen their understanding spirits. Tequila has a bad rep from being seen as just a party shot, but once you understand how to drink tequila, a whole new world opens up. This guide has been designed to help you better understand this misunderstood spirit. We’ll look at how you should be drinking it, what tastes good with tequila and how you can pair tequila with food. I’ll even throw in some cocktail inspiration with a easy but delicious tequila spritz and tequila martini!
So, let’s get a move on and discover the secrets of this Mexican spirit.
What is Tequila?
Tequila is a distilled spirit made from the Blue Weber Agave plant, grown primarily in Jalisco, Mexico. Producers harvest the heart of the plant, the piña and cook it, ferment it, and distill it into the spirit we know today.
There are two legal categories:
- 100% Agave Tequila: the purest, highest‑quality expression
- Mixto Tequila: at least 51% agave sugars, with the rest from other sugars
If you want the best flavour (and the best drinking experience), always choose 100% agave
Understanding Styles and Leading Brands
The aging process categorises tequila and directly influences the recommended methods for how to drink it.
- Blanco, or silver, is unaged and bottled immediately after distillation, offering the purest expression of the agave. Blanco is best for: Palomas, Margaritas and tequila spritzes.
- Reposado is “rested” in oak barrels for two months to a year, giving it a pale color and a smoother, more complex profile. Reposado is best for: sipping, spirit‑forward cocktails, tequila martini cocktails.
- Añejo is “aged” for one to three years, developing notable oak characteristics, while Extra Añejo, aged for over three years, reaches a level of sophistication comparable to fine aged spirits. Añejo is best for: slow sipping, dessert pairings, and special occasions.
A Very Brief History
Tequila’s story begins in Jalisco, where Indigenous communities fermented agave long before distillation arrived in the 1500s. When Spanish settlers introduced copper stills, agave spirits evolved into what we now recognise as tequila. By the late 1800s, families like Cuervo and Sauza were producing tequila commercially, and the spirit quickly became tied to Mexican identity and craftsmanship. Today, tequila is protected by a Denomination of Origin, meaning it can only be made in specific regions of Mexico using Blue Weber Agave. It’s a spirit shaped by land, tradition, and generations of producers who continue to refine it.
If you want to get into the real nitty gritty of tequila, its history and how it is made then check out Diffords Guide to Tequila.
Big Tequila Brands
When exploring renowned tequila brands, several names consistently embody excellence.
- Patrón delivers consistent quality and offers a smooth, accessible profile across its range.
- Don Julio leads the premium category, with its Don Julio 1942 setting the benchmark for aged expressions.
- Herradura, boasting a rich history, showcases a classic, robust agave character.
- Casamigos captivates with its exceptionally smooth and approachable style.
These brands provide a reliable starting point for discovery, each interpreting the agave’s potential in a distinct way. Furthermore, they all remain readily available; any decent bar will stock at least one!
If you are on the hunt for something new be sure to visit Tequila Matchmakers Agave Database to discover your new favourite bottle.
How do you Drink Tequila
To sip tequila properly:
- Choose a Reposado, Añejo, or Extra Añejo.
- Use a snifter or wide‑rimmed glass to concentrate aromas.
- Take a small sip and let it rest on your tongue.
- Notice the layers: agave, spice, citrus, vanilla, oak.
Sipping tequila slowly reveals its complexity, and the glass you use has a lot to do with that. Check out my guide on how glassware shapes flavour.
How to Drink Tequila With Salt and Lime
If you are new to the bar scene or don’t yet have the palate to sip on straight tequila then fear not. A shot of tequila with salt and lime, often referred to as a Tequila Slammer, is still a great way to enjoy tequila and have fun. Here is the correct way to do a shot of tequila with salt and lime:
- Lick a pinch of salt from your hand.
- Shoot a small pour of Blanco tequila.
- Suck on a lime wedge to balance the heat.
This method softens harsher flavours, which is why it’s traditionally used with younger or lower‑quality tequilas.
How Do You Take a Shot of Tequila?
If your caught somewhere in-between wanting to sip on tequila and do a tequila slammer, then here is the classy way to take a shot:
- Use Blanco tequila
- Chill it lightly
- Pour 30–45 ml
- Drink in one smooth motion
- Follow with lime or sangrita (a spicy citrus chaser)
Lightly chilling the tequila makes it easier to drink quickly as the flavours will release at a slower rate.
Pairing Tequila With Food
Tequila is one of the most food‑friendly spirits out there. Because it’s made from agave, a plant full of natural sweetness, minerality, and bright green notes. It can pair beautifully with dishes that echo those same flavours.
Best Foods to Pair With Tequila
Blanco Tequila Fresh, citrusy, and vegetal.
Perfect with:
- Ceviche or prawn tacos
- Lime‑driven salads
- Grilled fish
- Spicy dishes (think jalapeño, chili, salsa verde)
Reposado Tequila Soft oak, vanilla, and warm spice.
Perfect with:
- Carnitas tacos
- Grilled chicken or pork
- Roasted vegetables
- Tapas (patatas bravas, chorizo, croquettes)
Añejo & Extra Añejo Tequila Rich, smooth, and whisky‑like.
Perfect with:
- Dark chocolate
- Caramel desserts
- Slow‑cooked meats
- A cheese board (especially aged cheddar or manchego)
Why Tequila Works So Well with Food
Pairing tequila with food is easy because of tequila’s natural acidity and herbal notes cut through richness, brighten spice, and lift citrus‑heavy dishes. Reposado and Añejo bring warmth and depth, making them perfect for heartier meals or dessert pairings.
Quick Pairing Ideas
- Blanco + ceviche → clean, bright, refreshing
- Reposado + carnitas → smoky meets savoury
- Añejo + dark chocolate → rich, silky, indulgent
A tapas and tequila night is a great theme for a dinner party too! You can use this guide as a reference and show off all your tequila knowledge to your friends while enjoying some great food.
Tequila Cocktails to try
While sipping neat is the ultimate test of quality, the mixological potential of this spirit is vast. Creating good tequila drinks requires balancing the unique character of the spirit with complementary ingredients. The following recipes are some fun ways to enjoy tequila that aren’t just Margarita variations.
Tequila Spritz
A tequila spritz is a simple mix of Blanco tequila, sparkling water, and citrus. It’s clean, low‑effort, and lets the agave shine without overpowering it.
How to make it:
- 60 ml Blanco tequila
- Top with soda water
- Add a squeeze of fresh lime
- Serve over ice
This is a great if you want something lighter than a Margarita.
Aperol & Tequila Spritz
Aperol brings soft bitterness and orange notes that pair beautifully with tequila’s citrus and pepper.
How to make it:
- 30 ml Blanco tequila
- 30 ml Aperol
- Top with soda
- Add a squeeze of fresh orange
It’s sunshine in a glass. Bright, bittersweet, and incredibly drinkable.
Campari Tequila Cocktail
Campari’s bitterness + tequila’s vegetal spice = a modern Negroni riff
How to make it:
- 30 ml Blanco or Reposado tequila
- 30 ml Campari
- 30 ml sweet vermouth
- Stir and serve over ice
This is essentially a Tequila Negroni, and it’s a brilliant way to introduce agave spirits to whisky or gin drinkers.
Amaretto & Tequila Digestif
This combo works because amaretto softens tequila’s edges without hiding its character.
How to make it:
- 45 ml Reposado tequila
- 30 ml amaretto
- Dash of orange bitters
- Serve over ice
It’s smooth, nutty, and perfect for slow sipping.
Tequila Martini Cocktails
A tequila martini cocktail swaps gin or vodka for Reposado tequila, giving you a silky, aromatic drink with subtle oak and vanilla.
How to make it:
- 60 ml Reposado tequila
- 10 ml dry vermouth
- 1 dash orange bitters
- Stir and strain into a chilled coupe
Garnish with a lemon or orange twist for brightness.
Limoncello & Tequila Sipper
Limoncello adds sweetness and lemon zest that brighten Blanco tequila beautifully.
How to make it:
- 45 ml Blanco tequila
- 30 ml limoncello
- Shake with ice and strain
It’s vibrant, citrusy, and perfect for summer.
FAQ
Tequila is one of the most expressive spirits in the world, bright, earthy, spicy, and full of character. Once you understand how to drink tequila, how to pair tequila with food, and how to mix it into simple modern cocktails, it becomes a spirit you can return to again and again.
Whether you’re exploring Blanco for the first time or diving deeper into aged expressions, tequila rewards curiosity. Try new bottles, experiment with pairings, and play with cocktails that highlight agave’s natural flavour. The more you taste, the more you’ll discover.
If you’re ready to keep building your bartending confidence, I’ve linked a few guides below that pair perfectly with this one. They’ll help you expand your skills, understand your spirits, and mix drinks with intention, wherever you are in the world.
