Tequila is a spirit that has stood the test of time, trends, and culinary fashions, turning every moment into a memorable taste experience—but how do you know which tequila is the best? It is a beverage with a Protected Designation of Origin, which means that tequila can only be produced on agave plantations in certain regions of Mexico, including Jalisco, Michoacán, Tamaulipas, Nayarit, and Guanajuato. As of 2022, there are more than 1,377 registered Mexican tequila brands.
Choosing the best tequila can be a difficult task, as there are many factors (humidity, flor, altitude, variety) to consider when selecting the right bottle for every occasion, every situation, and every taste.
In this article, you’ll find a selection of Mexico’s best tequilas offering the best value for the money—tequilas that are considered excellent choices, the best tequilas at affordable prices, and, in our opinion, the best tequilas from Mexico.
The Best Tequila Brands, Our Opinion, and Their Prices
Compiling a list of the best tequila brands to buy is no easy task, as there are many high-quality brands with different characteristics and price points.
In general, the best tequilas in the world are, without a doubt, Mexican tequilas—and, more specifically, those produced in Jalisco, a city located northwest of Mexico City. This famous Mexican spirit comes in a range of prices depending on various factors, such as: the brand name, the number of years aged in barrels, the artisanal process used, the main ingredients, the barrels in which it is aged, the filtration process, and many others.
Our list of the best tequila brands might look something like this, although it will depend on the specific characteristics of each brand and your personal preferences: Gran Patrón, Casamigos, José Cuervo, Herradura, Casa Dragones, El Jimador, Sauza, Tres Generaciones (Sauza’s premium line), or even Don Julio.
Our opinion on the Don Julio brand
Perfect for any occasion—such as a gift, for example—Don Julio is more expensive than other brands, but it’s a safe bet. If you’re thinking of bringing gifts for your loved ones on your trip to Mexico, it’s an excellent choice. Its flavor will undoubtedly bring back happy memories of sharing a drink together during your stay.
The Don Julio Brand’s Varieties
Don Julio Blanco – Rating: 3.8 out of 5
Made from the finest blue agave plants using a traditional distillation process, Don Julio Blanco tequila is tequila in its most authentic form. It serves as the foundation for all of the brand’s other varieties. Commonly known as “silver” tequila, its fresh agave flavor and citrus notes make it an essential ingredient in a variety of innovative drinks, including margaritas.
Don Julio Reposado: Rating of 4.6 out of 5
Aged for eight months in American white oak barrels, Don Julio Reposado tequila has a golden amber color and offers a rich, smooth finish—the very essence of the perfect barrel-aged tequila.
Don Julio Añejo – Rating: 4.4 out of 5
With an intense, distinctive, and wonderfully complex flavor, it strikes the perfect balance between agave, wood, and notes of vanilla. We recommend enjoying it neat, in small sips, or simply on the rocks.
Don Julio 70th Anniversary Añejo
Don Julio 70 tequila combines the smoothness of a Blanco tequila with the complexity of an Añejo tequila to offer a truly unique experience. Aged for eighteen months in American white oak barrels and then carefully filtered to highlight its crisp agave flavor.
4.2/5
Don Julio 1942
Popular in cocktail bars, restaurants, and nightclubs, Don Julio 1942 tequila is the choice of connoisseurs around the world. The brand produces only small quantities, which are aged for at least two and a half years; Don Julio 1942 tequila is handcrafted in homage to the year Don Julio González began his journey in tequila production.
4.1/5
Don Julio Real
Made from the finest agave from the highlands of Mexico and masterfully aged for three to five years in American white oak barrels, Don Julio Real tequila is the crown jewel of the Don Julio brand. Don Julio Real is one of the few Extra-Añejo tequilas available on the market. Its rich aromas and flavor make this one-of-a-kind tequila the perfect choice for celebrations.
4.7/5
Don Julio Reposado Double Cask
Don Julio Reposado Double Cask tequila is aged in barrels previously used to produce Buchanan’s blended Scotch whiskey, which gives it an extraordinary depth of flavor with honeyed notes of agave and hints of tropical fruits and spices, along with a slight hint of peat and chocolatey malt notes.
3.8/5
Don Julio Reposado Private Cask
Don Julio Reposado Private Cask tequila has been aged for 10 months in a single barrel, hand-selected by our master distiller. The Private Cask edition has a nuanced flavor that varies from barrel to barrel. This tequila is bottled at 85.4 proof, for those who enjoy it in moderation.
3.9/5
Don Julio Reposado Double Cask Lagavulin Edition
This innovative limited-edition tequila draws inspiration from Don Julio’s creative spirit to take the art of tequila-making to new heights. This Don Julio Reposado Double Cask tequila is a unique expression of the traditional Reposado style, aged in barrels that previously held Lagavulin Islay Single Malt Scotch whiskey.
3.5/5
Our Opinion on the Herradura Brand
With nearly 150 years of experience in tequila distillation, this company was acquired by Brown-Forman in 2006, and the brand is now distributed worldwide. However, it has retained its original quality and flavor. Plus, if you visit Mexico, you can tour the distillery and the original gardens, located in the town of Amatitán on the Herradura Express.
The varieties of the Herradura brand
Silver Horseshoe
Herradura Silver has a mild agave flavor and subtle oak notes. The extended aging process gives it a light straw color and a unique, robust aroma of cooked agave, vanilla, and wood, leaving a sensation of sweetness and freshness on the palate.
4.1/5
Herradura Reposado
Herradura tequila introduced its Reposado to the world in 1974. After aging for 11 months, the Reposado offers notes of cooked agave, vanilla, and butter. This additional aging time in American white oak barrels gives it a smooth, velvety finish with a slight hint of spice.
3.5/5
Herradura Añejo
Combining modern and traditional distillation techniques, Herradura Añejo is aged in American white oak barrels for 25 months—13 months longer than required by industry standards. The result is a remarkably smooth, amber-colored spirit that melts on the tongue, leaving notes of cooked agave, toasted oak, and nuts.
3.6/5
Herradura Ultra Añejo
The Ultra Añejo features subtle notes of cooked agave, caramel, and honey, with hints of toasted almonds and a creamier finish.
4.3/5
Herradura Straight from the Still
Here, the barrel-aging process is omitted to preserve the authentic flavor of the tequila. Bottling directly from the still gives the tequila a crystal-clear color. The final result is a smooth and complex tequila with a long-lasting, subtly sweet finish, featuring notes of sweet agave, green pepper, citrus, and a hint of herbs and spices.
4.2/5
Herradura Double Barrel Aged
Herradura Double Barrel Reposado is the result of a new two-stage aging process. The first stage involves aging the tequila in white oak barrels for 11 months. It is then transferred to new barrels for an additional 30 days. This results in a tequila with notes of cooked agave, vanilla, allspice, cloves, and oak.
3.6/5
Supreme Selection Horseshoe
Aged for an incredible 49 months in American white oak barrels, Herradura Selección Suprema is our most premium ultra-aged tequila. This extended aging results in a tequila with an extremely intense dark amber color, featuring notes of cooked agave, spices, and flowers. Exceptionally smooth and complex, Selección Suprema has a long-lasting, subtly sweet finish.
4.2/5
Our opinion on the José Cuervo Tradicional brand
The history of this Mexican tequila began in 1758, when José Antonio de Cuervo received permission from the King of Spain to plant Mexican blue agave on his lands and produce tequila. Even before Mexico’s independence, he was already a tequila legend. The company founded a distillery in 1812, and today it is the oldest operating distillery in Latin America. Since then, millions of barrels of premium tequila have been produced at this distillery, and you can feel the centuries-old tradition in every drop.
Our pick: Arnaud loves the Margarita, and José Cuervo Especial Gold is his favorite tequila for making it.
The varieties of the José Cuervo Tradicional brand
José Cuervo Tradicional Silver
José Cuervo Tradicional Plata was created to establish a new tradition. It is the result of an exceptional artisanal process, which has earned it the “Best Plata” award at the Diosa Mayahuel Awards for two consecutive years. José Cuervo Plata is the ideal tequila for creating incredible recipes, as it stands out for its clarity and its spicy flavor with citrus notes and the characteristic tones of natural agave.
3.3/5
José Cuervo Tradicional Reposado
Jose Cuervo Reposado pays tribute to the legacy of the first tequila producers, who have shaped history since 1795. Considered one of Mexico’s finest tequilas, this reposado spends an average of 6 months in white oak barrels and offers an aroma of cooked agave, with fruity and herbaceous notes, as well as hints of olive.
3.6/5
José Cuervo Tradicional Añejo
The Tradicional Añejo is aged in charred American oak for at least one year and then finished in single-malt Irish whiskey barrels, giving it a rich, complex flavor and a remarkably smooth finish.
3.3/5
José Cuervo Tradicional Especial Silver
La Rojeña’s master distillers have crafted this unique and well-balanced blend, Tradicional Especial Silver, to highlight the nuances of agave, caramel, and fresh herbs in its flavor profile.
3.6/5
José Cuervo Tradicional Especial Gold
Legend has it that Cuervo Gold was used to make the first margarita in history. Cuervo Gold is a blend of reposado tequila and young tequilas. The result is a well-balanced and smooth tequila, ideal for making the perfect margarita, whether frozen or on the rocks.
3.3/5
José Cuervo Tradicional Reserva de la Familia
This tequila is part of the elite selection of the Cuervo family’s private collection. Each bottle is crafted exclusively from blue agave harvested at its peak of maturity—after seven to twelve years of growth in the field—and aged in French and American oak barrels for a minimum of three years.
3.6/5
José Cuervo Tradicional Anniversary
An ultra-aged tequila, made from 100% blue agave, crafted from a perfect selection of raw materials to celebrate the tradition and history of José Cuervo. The agaves used in its production are harvested at their peak of ripeness and come from a single field. The tequila is aged in French and American oak barrels.
3.9/5
Our Opinion on the Patrón Brand
The varieties of the Patrón brand
Silver Pattern
El Patrón Silver is the perfect ultra-premium tequila. Crafted exclusively from the finest 100% Weber blue agave, it is handcrafted in small batches to ensure a smooth, delicate, and easy-to-mix profile. This clear, crystalline tequila, with aromas of fresh agave and citrus notes, is a favorite among tequila connoisseurs around the world.
3.9/5
Resting Pattern
It’s a great choice for tequila connoisseurs looking for a bit more complexity and smoothness in the flavor. Aged in barrels for more than two months, it combines the fresh, clean flavor of the Silver version with the woody notes of the Añejo. It’s excellent for sipping on its own or in a premium cocktail. Like the brand’s other offerings, the bottles are made from recycled glass and hand-numbered.
3.9/5
Añejo Patrón
This is a delicate blend of tequilas aged in a unique way. The tequila is aged in small white barrels for at least 12 months. Just as in winemaking, each vintage is carefully blended to produce a smooth and distinctive flavor.
3.6/5
Roca Patrón Silver
This is an ultra-premium, handcrafted version, produced in small batches using the traditional stone-mill process in its entirety. This sophisticated spirit has been specifically refined to 90 degrees to create a fresh, robust flavor with complex notes of sweet agave.
3.9/5
Roca Patrón Aged
This spirit is also available through the “tahona” process. After distillation, the spirit is aged for five months in American bourbon barrels and specifically refined to 84 degrees to create complex, balanced notes with flavors of oak and sweet agave.
3.6/5
Roca Patrón Añejo
Always an ultra-premium, handcrafted spirit, produced in small batches. After distillation using the “Tahona Mill” process, it is aged for fourteen months in American bourbon barrels and specifically refined to 88 degrees to create complex, balanced notes with a smooth, slightly earthy flavor.
3.9/5
Great Patron Smoky
It adheres to traditional production methods that date back hundreds of years. To create that characteristic smoky flavor, the heart of the agave—the piña—is roasted in underground stone pits at the distillery. The cooked agave is then slowly ground with a volcanic stone millstone, before the agave juice and fibers are placed together in pinewood fermenters and subsequently distilled in small-capacity copper stills.
3.9/5
Gran Patrón Platinum
Like all of the brand’s beverages, it is made from the highest-quality Weber blue agave plants, grown in the highlands of Jalisco. The agaves used in this unique drink are hand-selected for their high sugar content. The liquor is distilled three times and then aged in tanks, giving it an extraordinarily smooth and full-bodied flavor. It features citrus notes and a light oak finish.
3.9/5
Great Stone Pattern
This extraordinary extra añejo is produced entirely using the tahona process. After distillation, it is meticulously aged for more than three years in new American and French oak barrels, giving it an intense mahogany color and a smooth, subtle aroma of fruit, fresh mushrooms, light citrus, and toasted oak.
3.9/5
Large Bordeaux Pattern
This handcrafted luxury aged tequila is made from the finest 100% Weber blue agave from Jalisco. It is produced in a combination of new American and French oak barrels and aged for a minimum of 12 months. It is then redistilled before being transferred to vintage Bordeaux barrels sourced from the finest French châteaux (Burdeos means Bordeaux in Spanish). Its flavor features notes of oak, a subtle hint of agave, vanilla, and raisins.
3.9/5
Xo Café Recipe
Xo Café is an extraordinary blend of ultra-premium silver tequila and the pure, natural essence of fine coffee. The flavor is dry, not sweet like that of most low-water-content coffee liqueurs. Xo Café is excellent on its own, as an ingredient in a high-quality cocktail, or as a unique and delicious topping for desserts.
3.9/5
Citrónge Mango Pattern
Citrónge Mango is an extra-fine, premium reserve mango liqueur. No artificial flavors or chemical enhancers are ever added. Citrónge is excellent on its own or for enhancing a high-end cocktail. It also adds a unique flavor to gourmet recipes. Citrónge is used to prepare the finest, most authentic, smoothest, and most delicious margaritas.
3.9/5
Orange Citrónge Pattern
Like Citrónge Mango, Citrónge Orange is a liqueur, but in this case, it is an extra-fine, premium reserve orange liqueur.
3.9/5
Citrónge Lima Pattern
Citrónge Lime is an ultra-premium liqueur made from the highest-quality Persian limes grown in Mexico. Citrónge Lime is fresh and smooth, with the well-balanced, juicy, and sweet flavor of premium limes and a refreshing finish. It’s excellent for mixing into a wide variety of cocktails, or as a delicious addition to sauces and desserts.
3.9/5
Patrón 7-Year-Old Añejo
This exquisite tequila has been aged in French oak barrels for seven years, resulting in limited quantities of an incredibly rare spirit. To commemorate this exclusive release, it is presented in a replica of the original bottle and the original hand-blown glass stopper.
3.9/5
Patrón 5-Year-Old Añejo
The process is the same as that of the 7-Year-Old Añejo, except that the 5-Year-Old Añejo is aged in French oak barrels for five years.
3.9/5
Our opinion on the Centenario brand
This tequila has been produced in Jalisco for more than 150 years. The company’s founder was Lázaro Gallardo, the first Mexican master tequila maker.
The Centenario Brand’s Varieties
Centenario Silver
The process is the same as that of the 7-Year-Old Añejo, except that the 5-Year-Old Añejo is aged in French oak barrels for five years.
3.6/5
Centenario Aged
This exquisite tequila has been aged in French oak barrels for seven years, resulting in limited quantities of an incredibly rare spirit. To commemorate this exclusive release, it is presented in a replica of the original bottle and the original hand-blown glass stopper.
3.6/5
Centenario Añejo
The process is the same as that of the 7-Year-Old Añejo, except that the 5-Year-Old Añejo is aged in French oak barrels for five years.
3.6/5
Our opinion on the 1800 brand
It has a simple, straightforward flavor and aroma, but also features smoky and herbaceous notes that only the genuine blue agave plant from Mexico can provide. It’s perfect for making spectacular cocktails, such as the famous margarita.
The varieties of the 1800 brand
1800 Silver
Made from 100% Weber blue agave, aged between 8 and 12 years, and harvested at its peak. The spirit is double-distilled and blended with a special selection of white tequilas to give it greater complexity and character. The result is a premium tequila with a smoother and more interesting flavor than most others on the market. Its clean and balanced flavor, with notes of sweet fruit and pepper, is perfect for enjoying neat, on the rocks, as a shot, or in a cocktail.
3.9/5
1800 Coco
With a natural ripe coconut flavor. With its slightly sweet, tropical flavor and medium body, this versatile liqueur is delicious on the rocks and also tastes great mixed with pineapple juice.
3.9/5
1800 Aged
Made with 100% Weber blue agave that has been matured for 8 to 12 years, and aged in American and French oak barrels for at least six months. This intensely flavored liqueur features notes of buttery caramel, mild spices, and a hint of smokiness, which comes from the finishing process. Perfect for mixing into a cocktail or serving over ice.
3.9/5
1800 Aged
Made from 100% Weber blue agave, harvested at its peak—between 8 and 12 years old—this Añejo is aged in French oak barrels for at least 14 months. Its finish is described as spicy and well-rounded, with flavors of toasted oak, vanilla, and butter caramel. This deep, luxurious tequila is ideal for sipping.
3.9/5
1800 Crystal Clear
A crystal-clear spirit with deceptive depth, presented in a striking crystal-clear bottle. Since the launch of its first añejo tequila, 1800 Añejo, 1800 has continued to drive innovation with this beautiful paradox of a spirit. 1800 Cristalino is aged in American and French oak barrels for 16 months, after which the spirit is blended and given its final touch in Port wine barrels for an additional 6 months.
3.9/5
1800 Millennium
After a long and delicate aging process, this extra-aged tequila is aged for a brief period in French oak cognac barrels, giving it a balanced, smooth, and unique flavor with notes of vanilla, red berries, and cinnamon. A perfect expression of the land that nurtures the Weber blue agave and the hands that craft the final spirit, Milenio is considered the finest embodiment of the roots of 1800®.
3.9/5
1800 Collection
Produced and sold only during the best harvest years, Colección is one of the world’s most exclusive tequilas. Each edition of this special añejo tequila comes in a bottle custom-designed by a renowned artist. Multidisciplinary artist Gary Baseman contributed his vision to the most recent edition.
3.9/5
Our opinion on the Sieste Léguas brand
With more than 60 years of experience in tequila production, it’s easy to see why this company is so highly regarded and why it has earned the trust of local experts. They produce five types of tequila.
The varieties of the Sieste Léguas brand
Seven Leagues White
After a long and delicate aging process, this extra-aged tequila is aged for a brief period in French oak cognac barrels, giving it a balanced, smooth, and unique flavor with notes of vanilla, red berries, and cinnamon. A perfect expression of the land that nurtures the Weber blue agave and the hands that craft the final spirit, Milenio is considered the finest embodiment of the roots of 1800®.
3.6/5
Siete Leguas Aged
On the nose, aromas of cooked and raw agave, light herbaceous and citrus notes, and the freshness of ripe fruit, similar to the aromas found in white tequila
3.6/5
Siete Leguas Añejo
Subtle aromas of vanilla, with light hints of nuts, raisins, prunes, quince, orange, peach, and red berries.
3.6/5
Siete Léguas Single Barrel
Aromas of apple, quince, cherry, peach, walnut, almond, macadamia nut, and dried fruits such as prunes, blueberries, and raisins.
3.6/5
Siete Leguas Antaño or Extra Añejo
Aromas of apple, quince, cherry, orange, peach, red berries, and nuts such as walnuts, almonds, and macadamia nuts, as well as dried fruits such as prunes and raisins.
3.6/5
10 Things You Should Know About Tequila
- According to the Tequila Regulatory Council, this beverage is a spirit obtained by distilling the fermented juice of the blue agave.
- The drink's popularity grew after Mexico gained independence, when Spanish alcoholic beverages were not readily available in the country.
- Since 1974, the beverage has been protected by a designation of origin; that is, only those that meet all the requirements set forth in the official standard may be called tequila, provided they are produced by authorized producers in specific municipalities in the states of Jalisco, Guanajuato; Michoacán, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas.
- The great stars of Mexican cinema, such as Pedro Infante and Jorge Negrete, have incorporated it into their film roles, although they drank it in one gulp, whereas it is recommended to take a small sip first and let it roll around in your mouth so your palate can get used to the drink, and then continue with another glass. Lemon and salt have become popular ways to mellow the flavor for foreigners. Experts suggest drinking it straight.
- According to the Mexican standard governing this beverage, it may be marketed in five varieties, whether by domestic or foreign bottlers: Blanco, Joven, Reposado (which must age for at least two months in oak barrels), Envejecido (aged for one year in barrels of no more than 600 liters) or Extra-Viejo (aged for three years in barrels of no more than 600 liters).
- There are two types of tequila: those made with 51% Agave tequilana Weber, with the remaining sugars coming from piloncillo or sugarcane, and those of superior quality, made with 100% Agave tequilana Weber.
- There is a tour that introduces visitors to tequila in the area around Penjamo, in Guanajuato, which is also home to a designation of origin.
- In 2006, UNESCO designated the agave landscape and the historic industrial sites of Tequila as a World Heritage Site.
- During your trip to Mexico, if you're passing through Mexico City, be sure to visit the Tequila and Mezcal Museum, located in Plaza Garibaldi in the Colonia Centro neighborhood. There, you'll learn more about these drinks and even have the chance to taste them.
- In Guadalajara, take the José Cuervo Express train to the town of Tequila, where you can see how Mundo Cuervo is made. During the trip, enjoy snacks and tequila-based drinks. (Cost per person starting at 1,350 pesos, or approximately 50 euros.)
How do you order tequila the Mexican way?
Tequila has maintained its global reputation as a festive drink to enjoy with lime and salt, or in a creamy cocktail like the Tequila Sunrise. But there are other ways to order tequila! Here’s how to order tequila when you’re in Mexico!
In Mexico, there are both more popular and more sophisticated ways to drink tequila. Tequila is part of the family of agave-based spirits from Mexico, along with mezcal, raicilla, bacanora, and many other spirits. It has been a protected designation since 1974, and here’s an interesting fact: its production is limited to five regions of the country, with Jalisco being the main one. Tequila is made exclusively from a single variety of agave, Tequilana Weber, or Mexican blue agave.
Law
Ordering tequila—or a “derecho,” as it’s called in Mexico—remains the most popular way to order this drink, even in Mexico. However, before choosing and ordering tequila, it’s important to have a clear idea of what you’re looking for from the start. Just as there are single-malt and blended Scotch whiskies, there are also different types of tequilas. As a general rule, high-quality tequila is made from 100% agave, while less refined tequilas are made from 51% agave mixed with sugarcane juice.
Four different ages
The tequila aging process also results in different types of alcohol and flavors.
White or silver tequila
White or plata tequila is a spirit that is unblended or barely aged before bottling. This stronger, bolder tequila pairs perfectly with olives or Oaxaca cheese as an appetizer.
La Reposado
Reposado, or reposado tequila, is aged in barrels for at least two months, which usually gives it a fruitier flavor. It’s an ideal tequila to enjoy with a seafood dish or after a meal.
The Añejo
Añejo (vintage tequila) is aged for at least one year and has complex aromas, such as those of nuts or cherries.
Extra Añejo
Extra Añejo (extra-aged) tequila is aged for at least three years in barrels. This category features the flavors and aromas of the wood, while the alcohol gradually mellows. Tequila lovers enjoy pairing this premium category with a dessert, such as chocolate mousse or honey-caramelized apricots.
Tips
Tequila should never be chilled; it should always be kept at room temperature. The finest tequilas can be enjoyed neat, although a spoonful of mineral water can enhance the experience.
How do you drink tequila like a Mexican?
Tequila continues to maintain its international reputation as a party drink, but Mexicans have long enjoyed a more relaxing and refreshing way to drink their national beverage: from a large clay vessel. These cantarito bowls are typically filled with a potent cocktail of tequila and fruit juice, and they’re particularly popular in the state of Jalisco, where most tequilas are produced.
This drink is available in bars throughout most regions of the state and is even sold at the stalls of street vendors who roam the traditional towns of Jalisco where tequila is produced. Visitors to the picturesque Mexican town of Amatitán, in the heart of tequila country, often enjoy a cantarito during their trip, and the empty clay cup makes an ideal souvenir of their visit.
Since 1997, El Guero bar in Amatitán has been serving this traditional drink to thirsty tourists. Overlooking the rolling hills lined with countless rows of spiky blue agave, the open-air bar is ideally located for enjoying a tequila, Mexican-style. The cocktail is prepared by filling the glass with ice, lime and grapefruit juice, a sparkling grapefruit soda called Squirt, and a generous shot of tequila. The effervescent mixture is stirred with a knife, and a pinch of salt is added to cut the acidity.
At El Guero bar, customers can buy glasses of various sizes. The smallest holds about half a liter of the drink, while an extra-large one requires customers to hold it with both hands to carry it to their table.
Some visitors drink directly from the small glasses, but for the larger ones, a straw is a must. The place offers a wide variety of tequilas, ranging from the strongest white tequilas to the extra-aged varieties, which have been aged in barrels for at least three years.
However, although premium tequilas have become increasingly popular, both in Mexico and abroad, most customers opt for affordable and fun alternatives.
In fact, using luxury brands seems a little out of place in a cocktail. The point of a true cantarito isn’t to savor luxurious flavors, but to share memorable experiences. It’s really a drink to enjoy with a group of your closest friends.
Mexican Cocktails
Visitors to Mexico should avoid ordering a Tequila Sunrise—or even margaritas. The most interesting and delicious tequila cocktail (in our opinion!) is the Blood Red Vampire, a mix of tequila, grapefruit soda, and sangrita—a tangy blend of orange juice, red chili, salt, and lime. The drink originates from the town of San Luis Soyatlán, in the western state of Jalisco. Every weekend, tequila lovers travel from far and wide to sample the town’s signature cocktail. Another popular way to order tequila is in a large clay pot. These pots, called “cantaritos” and typically used in the kitchen, are filled with a potent mixture of tequila, lime, and carbonated grapefruit soda.
18 Things You Didn’t Know About Tequila
As Mexico’s iconic drink and one of its leading export products, tequila can be found in every bar (and home) across the country and around the world. However, despite its fame and prestige, here are 20 things you probably didn’t know about this authentic Mexican drink.
- Tequila can be mixed to make other drinks besides the classic margarita that everyone knows. A very popular Mexican combination is tequila mixed with a grapefruit-flavored soda, which is known either as “tequila” or “paloma.” If you prefer Coca-Cola, order a charro negro: tequila with Coca-Cola.
- If you prefer tequila shots, you should be careful in Mexico. Tequila has a reputation in other countries for being a spirit meant to be downed in one gulp, but that’s not actually the case; a good tequila should be sipped and savored.
- Similarly, don't ask for salt or lime. You can do so if you really want to, but it's not something people usually ask for in Mexico.
- For tequila to be considered tequila, it must be produced in the city of Tequila, Jalisco. If you buy tequila that does not come from the state of Jalisco, it must be legally marketed under the name “agave spirit.”
- Speaking of agave, it’s the plant used to make tequila. More specifically, tequila can only be made from blue agave. You probably recognize the blue agave plant by its spiky appearance, but did you also know that tequila is made not from the leaves, but from the heart of the plant, also known as the piña?
- However, tequila does not need to be made from 100% blue agave to be classified as tequila. On the contrary, the threshold between what is tequila and, of course, what is not, is 51%. A blue agave content of less than 51% cannot be called tequila. Purists insist that only 100% blue agave tequila is the authentic variety, while the average consumer probably couldn’t even tell the difference between it and the “mixto” versions (those containing 51% to 99% blue agave).
- A jimador is someone who harvests agave hearts by hand. You might find that the word “jimador” sounds unusually familiar; well, that’s because there’s a brand of tequila called Jimador.
- However, José Cuervo remains the world's best-known and most important tequila brand. A real person, José Antonio Cuervo, was the first man to obtain a license to sell tequila, and his company quickly experienced a boom; in the 19th century, it sold 10,000 barrels in Guadalajara alone.
- There are many varieties of tequila. Blanco or Plata, which is the least aged variety; Reposado, which is aged for 2 to 12 months; Añejo, which is aged in barrels for 1 to 3 years; and Extra Añejo, which is aged for 3 to 5 years. The longer tequila has been aged, the darker it tends to be, as it takes on the color of the barrels. But even before the aging process can begin, the agave plant takes at least eight years to reach full maturity for harvest. This means that problems with the growth of agave plants can lead to tequila shortages much later on, especially since these plants are very particular about the conditions in which they grow.
- Once you've opened a bottle of tequila, you should drink it within the next two months. If you leave it open any longer, the agave may lose its distinctive flavor profile.
- It is believed that the word “tequila” comes from a Nahuatl term. It is said to mean “the place where the plants are harvested.”
- It's surprising to learn that drinking tequila has health benefits. It can help lower cholesterol and reduce stress (for obvious reasons) and, apparently, can help stimulate insulin production. It's also helpful for colds or stomach problems.
- Tequila is a major symbol of Mexican national pride. It is said that tequila sales skyrocket around the time of Mexico’s Independence Day, in mid-September. However, despite this, most tequila is exported and sold in the United States. It is consumed primarily in the states of Florida, California, and Texas, and it is estimated that around 24 million Americans drank tequila at some point in 2015.
- It is said that Bing Crosby was the one who introduced Herradura tequila to the U.S. market. Apparently, he liked the brand so much that he helped import it across the border.
- Perhaps this love of tequila explains why the most expensive bottle ever sold cost $225,000. The six-year-old tequila contained in the platinum and white gold bottle was reportedly worth only $2,500.
- Tequila can be turned into synthetic diamonds. Researchers at UNAM have discovered that tequila can be turned into diamonds—not for your next diamond necklace, but for use in the computer industry.
- It is said that the Aztecs discovered the precursor to what we now know as tequila when lightning struck an agave plant. The agave heart was cooked, and that’s how they discovered the sweet, fermented juice it contained. It’s said that tequila was eventually developed from there, although it’s hard to know to what extent this story is true.
- Finally, National Tequila Day (at least in the United States) is July 24! Have a drink or two of tequila in honor of Mexico.
Do you have any questions about tequila and agave from Mexico? Are you planning a trip to Chiapas? Send us a message!
