For Tequila Lovers

[Akami]

Don't kill me, but I make margaritas with my tequilas. I was told that if you want to make a good mixed drink, use good liquor. The bottle of 1942 was a gift from a friend, and I didn't think that it should be mixed. I've been interested in trying them straight, but I don't know the accepted way of drinking it straight. I always drink my whiskeys on the rocks, but I've never heard of tequila being imbibed like that. Give me a starting point, and I'll give it the old college try! Then I'll start really trying to open my palate up to it.
It took me a little while to appreciate straight whiskey, and now I love it. I hope the same is true with tequila. And if you want any recommendations as far as whiskeys, let me know.

Even though I love the 1942, the only time I have tequila is in the bar, and while it tastes better than anything in my experience, I still can’t say that I'd enjoy just sipping it, although this thread has me wanting to give it a try.

Look forward to reading your thoughts after you've had some time to spend with it.

 

[ArtechnikA]

Don't kill me, but I make margaritas with my tequilas.

I like margaritas, but I don't use the 'really good' tequila for that. There's a base level 'everyday' tequila I don't stray below. Right now, that's Hornitos. Good value. If I wouldn't drink it straight, I won't have it in the house...

Give me a starting point

The 'traditional' (Hollywood?) way is with salt and lime. Taste of salt, shot of tequila, bite the lime. Done it, doesn't work for me.

The second-most traditional way is the shooter glass, which is to be consumed in one gulp. I think this was probably invented by frat boys. Also doesn't work for me.

IMO, good tequila is for sipping. I still like the straight-sided shooter glass, but it's for sipping. Neet.

 

[Akami]

The 'traditional' (Hollywood?) way is with salt and lime. Taste of salt, shot of tequila, bite the lime. Done it, doesn't work for me.

The second-most traditional way is the shooter glass, which is to be consumed in one gulp. I think this was probably invented by frat boys. Also doesn't work for me.

IMO, good tequila is for sipping. I still like the straight-sided shooter glass, but it's for sipping. Neet.

I think the first method is good for tequila that doesn't taste good otherwise, and after finding that I liked the taste of some others, it's been the second method I've been using.

While I have no intention of giving up the other two, I'm kind of excited to try your third method tomorrow night.

Probably the only good tequila they'll have will be Patron Silver and I'll have to look for the Hornitos in the near future.

 

[David Jayne]

I like it in a scotch glass, no ice, room temp.

 

[Tbone76]

I like margaritas, but I don't use the 'really good' tequila for that. There's a base level 'everyday' tequila I don't stray below. Right now, that's Hornitos. Good value. If I wouldn't drink it straight, I won't have it in the house...



The 'traditional' (Hollywood?) way is with salt and lime. Taste of salt, shot of tequila, bite the lime. Done it, doesn't work for me.



The second-most traditional way is the shooter glass, which is to be consumed in one gulp. I think this was probably invented by frat boys. Also doesn't work for me.



IMO, good tequila is for sipping. I still like the straight-sided shooter glass, but it's for sipping. Neet.

All right, I'll give it a try neat in the next couple if days. I work overnights and don't drink liquor on days that I work. I save it for my nights off! I read that some of the people here chill their bottles in the freezer so that they get it cold without having ice melting in their drink and diluting it. I'm going to put a bottle in the freezer and try it this week. Report to follow!

 

[David Jayne]

I'm going to put a bottle in the freezer and try it this week. Report to follow!

That's for folks that shoot cheap stuff and don't want to taste it. If you're already a whiskey person, room temp, no ice. If its a decent bottle, its smooth. You'll want to taste it. But hey, by all means do whatever you want.

 

[Tbone76]

That's for folks that shoot cheap stuff and don't want to taste it. If you're already a whiskey person, room temp, no ice. If its a decent bottle, its smooth. You'll want to taste it. But hey, by all means do whatever you want.

I prefer my whiskey on the rocks, and occasionally neat. Baby steps.

 

[bassdude51]

When doing shots, high grade tequila is so smooth. The traditional way with salt and lime is an excellent way to enjoy it. Cheaper tequilas are excellent when mixed with some fruit juices. One of my favorites and I call it, A Pink Mexican is tequila mixed with ruby red grapefruit juices and crushed ice.

Beer ranks as my favorite alcoholic drink. I also highly enjoy Jim Beam double aged Kentucky bourbon straight from a shot glass, baby sips and the "Kentucky chew".

Viva Jim Beam!

 

[David Jayne]

I prefer my whiskey on the rocks, and occasionally neat. Baby steps.

In that case I suggest a double pour in a whiskey glass, with one large ice cube.

 

[pedroims]

In that case I suggest a double pour in a whiskey glass, with one large ice cube.

Honestly , I have never seen somebody drinking tequila on the rocks, room temp is the traditional way to drink it, salt and lime is ok with a white tequila, never with a reposado or anejo.

 

[Lobster11]

Honestly , I have never seen somebody drinking tequila on the rocks, room temp is the traditional way to drink it, salt and lime is ok with a white tequila, never with a reposado or anejo.

Well, you'll have to come on down to my place and watch me do it!

It's certainly true that most serious aficionados" drink it neat, and professional tastings are always done that way. On the rare occasions I have a good anjeo, I drink it neat too -- just as I would a nicely aged whiskey (or whisky). However, I really prefer my blancos over ice, especially in the summer. To me, the chill suits the brightness of a good blanco, and a little ice-melt takes off some of the alcohol edge and lightens everything up a bit to make for a "refreshing" kind of experience. Kinda like drinking a margarita on the rocks, but leaving out everything except the tequila and the rocks.

To be clear, I'm not suggesting that on-the-rocks is the "right" or "best" way -- only that it works for me. I would suggest that anyone who finds drinking it neat a little overwhelming, give it a try. Or, try an intermediate strategy. You can drink it cold, but avoid ice-melt, by chilling the bottle in the freezer (or even just the fridge). For chill plus just a little ice-melt, pour your drink over ice, swirl it briefly, and then strain out the ice. (The latter is probably functionally equivalent to on-the-rocks for me, as I tend to finish it long before all the ice has melted anyway!)

Cheers!

 

[pedroims]

Well, you'll have to come on down to my place and watch me do it!



It's certainly true that most serious aficionados" drink it neat, and professional tastings are always done that way. On the rare occasions I have a good anjeo, I drink it neat too -- just as I would a nicely aged whiskey (or whisky). However, I really prefer my blancos over ice, especially in the summer. To me, the chill suits the brightness of a good blanco, and a little ice-melt takes off some of the alcohol edge and lightens everything up a bit to make for a "refreshing" kind of experience. Kinda like drinking a margarita on the rocks, but leaving out everything except the tequila and the rocks.



To be clear, I'm not suggesting that on-the-rocks is the "right" or "best" way -- only that it works for me. I would suggest that anyone who finds drinking it neat a little overwhelming, give it a try. Or, try an intermediate strategy. You can drink it cold, but avoid ice-melt, by chilling the bottle in the freezer (or even just the fridge). For chill plus just a little ice-melt, pour your drink over ice, swirl it briefly, and then strain out the ice. (The latter is probably functionally equivalent to on-the-rocks for me, as I tend to finish it long before all the ice has melted anyway!)



Cheers!

I understand your point, putting the bottle in the freezer is a common practice, tequila gets cold without water added, i have drinking it this way several times.

 

[ArtechnikA]

As this is a holiday week and I have a few days off, I brought in a bottle of Maestro Doble.
Had this before and it is a favorite - clear like a blanco but a blend of blanco, reposado, and añejo and very smooth.

For me it's up there with Cabo Wabo Reposado in "better than everyday but not quite ultrapremium" territory. I think it is going to be a good week...

 

[MJ5150]

Over the weekend we had some friends over for dinner. I mentioned my new found interest in tequila to one couple, so they brought a bottle with them when they came over. It was the Sauza Tequila Silver. I don't see any mention of 100% agave on the label, so I think it was a "mixtos".

Yes, I am new to tequila, but my palate already prefers the "puros". This is not good tequila in my opinion. I tried to sip a glass last night while watching TV, it was not pleasant so I just downed it in one gulp. I checked the info about this tequila on the Sauza website. I did not find the taste and aroma profile to match what they had listed.

-Mike

 

[Lobster11]

Over the weekend we had some friends over for dinner. I mentioned my new found interest in tequila to one couple, so they brought a bottle with them when they came over. It was the Sauza Tequila Silver. I don't see any mention of 100% agave on the label, so I think it was a "mixtos".

Yes, I am new to tequila, but my palate already prefers the "puros". This is not good tequila in my opinion. I tried to sip a glass last night while watching TV, it was not pleasant so I just downed it in one gulp. I checked the info about this tequila on the Sauza website. I did not find the taste and aroma profile to match what they had listed.

-Mike

Ha! Yes, sadly, this is an occupational hazard of becoming a tequila aficionado: well-intentioned but unknowlegeable friends and family. I used to get "gift" bottles of Cuervo Especial all the time, until I started educating all my friends and family. By now they've all heard my lecture about puros and mixtos so many times that they roll their eyes every time the word "tequila" comes up in conversation. (But at least they don't buy me crappy tequila any more!)

And now you're stuck with a bottle of rot-gut that you can't even give away in good conscience. I wouldn't even pour that stuff down the drain out of respect for my plumbing....

 

[electracoyote]

Sauza Silver, not my thing either.

My step-son and I killed a bottle of Herradura Reposado pretty quick Thanksgiving Day. No heaves, no hangover. Good stuff.

 

[Lobster11]

Sauza Silver, not my thing either.

My step-son and I killed a bottle of Herradura Reposado pretty quick Thanksgiving Day. No heaves, no hangover. Good stuff.

Yeah, no doubt that an extra benefit of drinking puros instead of mixtos is the lack of hangover, even if you overdo it. I've been hung over after too many good Scotch whiskys or too much good wine, but never -- really, never -- after too many good tequilas. I've certainly had some mornings when I felt a bit slow and dull-witted (at least, more than usual), but never with a headache or nausea.

Of course, that might not necessarily be a good thing. It makes it a little too easy to overdo it when there is no fear of being punished the next morning....

 

[aborgman]

Over the weekend we had some friends over for dinner. I mentioned my new found interest in tequila to one couple, so they brought a bottle with them when they came over. It was the Sauza Tequila Silver. I don't see any mention of 100% agave on the label, so I think it was a "mixtos".

Yes, I am new to tequila, but my palate already prefers the "puros". This is not good tequila in my opinion. I tried to sip a glass last night while watching TV, it was not pleasant so I just downed it in one gulp. I checked the info about this tequila on the Sauza website. I did not find the taste and aroma profile to match what they had listed.

-Mike

It's "ok" for making mixed drinks, and a world better than Cuervo Gold... but I wouldn't be drinking it straight.

 

[Lobster11]

It's "ok" for making mixed drinks, and a world better than Cuervo Gold... but I wouldn't be drinking it straight.

Sorry, but I disagree. I just don't think there is any good reason to drink a mixto, in any form, when there are plenty of inexpensive puros on the market. The puro will make a much better mixed drink every time.

 

[aborgman]

Sorry, but I disagree. I just don't think there is any good reason to drink a mixto, in any form, when there are plenty of inexpensive puros on the market.

Sure there is... and that good reason is that there is no price more inexpensive than "free".

I'll agree that there is no good reason to buy a mixto.

The puro will make a much better mixed drink every time.

I'd say that holds true in about 99.9% of cases. I've actually had a select few puros that were just plain awful. Cuervo Gold kinda awful.