Full Answer
What is the best tequila to drink straight?
- Best Overall: Clase Azul Reposado
- Best Value: Tromba Blanco
- Best Reposado: Severo Reposado
- Best Añejo: 1800 Añejo
- Best Sustainable: Tequila El Tequileño Reposado Gran Reserva
- Best Specialty: Løs Sundays Coconut Tequila
- Best Cristalino: Volcán De Mi Tierra Cristalino Tequila
- Best Splurge: Patsch Extra Añejo
What is the smoothest tequila to drink?
What to Look for When Buying Tequila
- 100 Percent Blue Weber Agave. When shopping for tequila, look for these words on the bottle. ...
- Grading System. It is also important to remember the basic grading system for tequilas. ...
- Price. You can usually gauge tequila's quality by the price range. ...
- Purpose. How are you sipping your tequila? ...
What is the cheapest brand of tequila?
“Probably the best inexpensive tequila for the money is the El Jimador Blanco,” says Gavin Humes, food and beverage director of Scratch Bar & Kitchen in Los Angeles. “It's smooth enough for shooting, but has enough kick to stand up well in cocktails. While I might not crave a glass of it on the rocks, the price is hard to beat.”
What are the best Tequilas?
What is the Best Tequila? 1. Roca Patrón Reposado. We love the Grand Patrón Burdeos ( find it here ), which is twice-distilled and aged in used... 2. Casamigos Blanco. Casamigos is a favorite among the Hollywood crowd, thanks to its co-founder George Clooney, but... 3. Santo Mezquila. When it comes ...
What is the smoothest tequila to drink straight?
Best Overall: Tequila Ocho Plata. ... Best Blanco: Don Fulano Blanco. ... Best Reposado: Siete Leguas Reposado. ... Best Añejo: Don Julio Añejo. ... Best Extra Añejo: Gran Patrón Burdeos. ... Best Valley: Fortaleza Blanco. ... Best for Beginners: Casamigos Blanco. ... Best Splurge: Don Ramón Limited Edition Extra Añejo.More items...
Can you drink tequila neat?
Many tequila connoisseurs will swear that the best way to drink tequila is to sip it on its own. If you do this, you can order your tequila chilled, on the rocks (ice) or straight up, but most prefer it chilled. Do not order it with salt and lime, that is only for shots.
What is the cleanest tequila to drink?
Blanco (sometimes called "silver") is un-aged tequila, and is usually bottled soon after it's distilled. As the name suggests, blanco tequila is the clearest in color and goes well in mixed drinks or as a complement to traditional Mexican recipes.6 days ago
What is the easiest to drink tequila?
These five spirits are smooth and easy drinking, whether you sip them neat or mix them in your favorite cocktail.Espolon Tequila Blanco ($24) ... Milagro Reposado ($30) ... Tanteo Chipotle Tequila ($40) ... Tequila Los Azulejos Añejo ($70) ... Código 1530 Blanco ($49)21-Nov-2016
What is the correct way to drink tequila?
To properly take a shot of tequila (or tequila cruda), you need salt, lime, and tequila, all carried out in a specific order. The mantra to remember is "lick, shoot, suck": Lick the salt off of your hand first, drink the shot swiftly, and finish by sucking on a wedge of lime.02-Jul-2021
What is the top shelf tequila?
Best Overall: Casamigos Blanco Tequila. ... Best Top-Shelf: Milagro Select Barrel Reserve Añejo Tequila. ... Best Cheap: Sauza Silver Tequila. ... Best Mid-Price: Herradura Silver Tequila. ... Best Añejo: Don Julio Añejo Tequila. ... Best Blanco/Silver: Espolòn Blanco. ... Best Reposado: Olmeca Tezòn Reposado Tequila.More items...
Should sipping tequila be chilled?
Whiskey is best served between 49 and 55 degrees and finally, our favorite spirit - Tequila - should be enjoyed at room temperature. All of that being said, if you prefer your Tequila chilled, go for it. What is most important is that you enjoy and as always - drink more Tequila!
Is tequila stronger than vodka?
The answer to the question of whether tequila is stronger than vodka is that it depends. No one spirit is automatically stronger than another spirit in every situation. Most tequilas and vodkas will be the same strength, that is the accepted standard for the majority of spirits of 40% ABV, or 80 proof.15-Aug-2021
Should you sip tequila?
Sipping tequila helps you to drink responsibly. If sipping is not your style, you can always enjoy tequila shots or cocktails. However, sipping has its benefits because it aids in moderation, allowing you to enjoy the spirit slowly and responsibly.
Is tequila a healthy alcohol?
Tequila may be a comparatively healthier option than some other types of alcohol because it contains fewer calories, zero sugar, and zero carbohydrates. However, drinking any alcohol can increase the risk of developing a number of health conditions.11-Mar-2021
What tequila is better Blanco or reposado?
Blanco is generally used in Margaritas and other light, citrusy drinks. Reposado adds the oak and vanilla from the time it has spent in barrels, so it is better used in heavier cocktails, although it will perform very well in a Margarita as well.06-Sept-2018
What is the healthiest tequila brand?
Blanco tequila, sometimes called silver or plata, is the purest form of tequila; it's made with 100 percent blue weber agave with no additives and is bottled soon after distillation.05-May-2021
Why is tequila the healthiest alcohol?
Tequila is considered a healthier choice than other alcoholic drinks because it has less sugar and calories. Unlike most distilled spirits, tequila also has low levels of impurities like methanol or fusel oil when consumed in reasonable amounts.14-Sept-2021
Which tequila doesn't give you a hangover?
To avoid a tequila hangover – stick to 100% Blue Agave tequila. Check bottle labels and check that it says it uses 'ONLY 100% Blue Agave'. If it doesn't have these words, then give it a miss.
Is Don Julio better than Patrón?
Don Julio Blanco is the best tequila, even when compared to Patron Silver. It has a lemon, grapefruit, and agave aroma that you can drink neat or on the rocks. On the other hand, Patron silver smells pleasant because of the agave's scent, but it lacks depth and taste complexity compared to the Don Julio Blanco.21-Jan-2022
Is Jose Cuervo good tequila?
Jose Cuervo is the best-known and biggest-selling tequila brand in the world, with a history dating back to 1795, but its reputation is somewhat checkered. It makes some excellent tequilas that are well-regarded by aficionados, notably its high-end Reserva de la Familia lines.13-Dec-2021
Features to Keep in Mind
Any high-quality tequila can be a sipping tequila, but aged spirits are often preferred for this kind of drinking because they are richer in style. Neutral tequilas, with fewer individual flavor components, are often better in mixed cocktails for this very reason.
Our Top Picks
The blue and white ceramic bottle that houses this benchmark tequila is probably already familiar to you. Clase Azul’s smooth, honeyed flavor is just as resonant as its iconic bottle. Produced in one of the state of Jalisco’s highest points, this distillate comes from agave that has grown for six to eight years.
Ask the Experts
The spirit can only be produced within the Mexican state of Jalisco and designated municipalities in Michoacan, Nayarit, Guanajuato, and Tamaulipas.
The best blanco, reposado and añejo tequilas to be savored on their own
Betsy Andrews is a freelance journalist specializing in wine, spirits, food, travel, and the environment.
Best Overall: Tequila Ocho Plata
Region: Jalisco | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Pepper, Citrus, Grass, Stone fruit
Best Blanco: Don Fulano Blanco
Region: Jalisco | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Lemon peel, Lemongrass, Cooked agave
Best Reposado: Siete Leguas Reposado
Region: Jalisco | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Baking spices, Vanilla, Slate, Shale
Best Añejo: Don Julio Añejo
Don Julio, Chasse notes, takes care of its raw materials. When the producers were planting their fields, they used much more land than other producers and spaced the agave out so as not to overtax the soil and sap it of its nutrients.
Best Extra Añejo: Gran Patrón Burdeos
Region: Jalisco | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Cocoa powder, Dates, Caramel
Best for Beginners: Casamigos Blanco
To help guests appreciate the nuances of a great sipping tequila, says Hurley, “My job is to get people away from drinking tequila chilled with lime and salt.” Casamigos helps. With its sweet, vanilla intensity, it’s a great entry tequila. “It’s like vanilla ice cream,” Hurley says.
Clase Azul Reposado
If you know…then you know. Today has been one of those days. #yesIdrinktequilainachampagneglass #claseazulreposado #claseazul #drinkresponsibly
Tequila Fortaleza
Time for some Fortaleza Reposado .
Tequila Ocho Extra Anejo
Living the dream! Thank you @tequilaochousa @tequilaochomexico for the fantastic collaboration. It was so much fun! I look forward to the tequila drinkers out there trying this special bottle soon. #tequilaocho #goodetimes
Don Julio Anejo
Just adding a little something to the bar! What’s your favorite tequila? #cheers #bartenders #drinks #cocktails #tequila #donjulio #donjulioanejo #besttequila #yum #yummy #taste #spirits
Espolon Anejo
The best sipping tequila is Espolon. The anejo and super anejo offer a consumer-friendly price point and drinkability. I enjoy drinking the anejo on the rocks with a squeeze of fresh lime.
Herradura Reposado
I like Casamigos Blanco and Herradura Reposado. They’re both delicious and great to sip over ice. They’re both good quality, but for the price point, I usually stick to Herradura.
123 Anejo
When enjoying tequila neat I typically go with an anjeo. I enjoy the 123 Tequila Anejo. Certified organic and bottled at the estate. This tequila is rich in flavor, super smooth, no burn at all and as you let it open up, more and more flavors present themselves.
For your sipping and mixing pleasure
Christine is freelance food writer, certified cheese expert, and podcast host. Her work has appeared in AllRecipes, Bon Appetit, and VinePair.
Best for Margaritas: Cazadores Tequila Blanco
Technically, a margarita is just a sour—a cocktail family comprised of a base spirit, a sweetener, and some citrus. Sours stand the test of time and trend because they’re refreshing and easy to execute. But a cocktail with so few ingredients requires each ingredient to hold its own. You don’t need to spend a lot of money, but you do want quality.
Best Sipping Tequila: Casa Dragones Tequila Joven
If you’re more of a “sometimes take shots of tequila on the weekends” person, a $300 bottle of tequila may sound nuts. But, for those who like their Japanese whisky neat and dream about that one time they want to Islay, this is the tequila that will convince the terroir-loving spirits drinker of tequila’s elegance and craftsmanship.
Best for Shots: Espolòn Blanco
For those who want a quality tequila that’s easy on the wallet, Espolòn Blanco is a great go-to. The label features the rooster Ramón, a reference to Mexican artist José Guadalupe Posada and his role in the fight for Mexican independence.
Best Cheap Tequila: Arette Blanco Tequila
Eduardo Orendain used to be the mayor of Tequila (not a figure of speech; he was the actual mayor of the town). But in 1976, he started making tequila with his brother Jamie from estate-grown blue agave and never looked back.
Best Añejo Tequila: Casa Noble Añejo Tequila
Añejo means “old” in Spanish. In order to qualify as Añejo tequila, the spirit must be aged for a minimum of a year in oak barrels. Usually, those oak barrels are new French oak or used bourbon barrels for roundness. You can distinguish Añejo by its color, which will be the darkest of the types of tequila.
Best Reposado Tequila: Camarena Reposado
Reposado means “rested” in Spanish, and these “rested” tequilas will have been aged anywhere from 60 days to a year. That hint of age softens and rounds it out, meaning a good reposado will be wonderful to sip on but should mix well in your favorite tequila cocktails, too (especially something like tequila cocoa ).
1. El Tesoro Anejo Tequila
If you want to discover authentic Mexican tequila with a bold yet traditional flavor, then order a bottle of El Tesoro Tequila. El Tesoro may be owned by Beam Suntory, the Japanese company responsible for Suntory Whisky, but this tequila is still made from traditional methods and Mexican agave plants.
2. Casa Noble Reposado Tequila
The entire Casa Noble lineup was redesigned this year, with updated packaging and different blending strategy employed, eliminating the single barrel expressions. This excellent sipping tequila is produced at the La Cofradía distillery just outside the town of Tequila.
3. Patrón Silver Tequila
Listen, Patrón has practically built its legacy on giving young adults their wildest nights and most regrettable mornings. This alone makes it a pop culture icon, but more so, a go-to for adventurous nights out on the town. For countless bartenders, it’s the tequila of choice for margaritas, and for good reason.
4. Codigo 1530 Rosa Tequila
This brand is affiliated with country music star George Strait, but that’s not why we love this tequila. It’s rather well made, and a unique twist is that California wine barrels are used to mature the aged expressions.
5. Tres Agaves Tequila
Tres Agaves may lack the brand recognition of consumer favorites like Casamigos or Patrón. Still, its selection of high-quality tequilas has an archetypal smoothness that places them among the elite.
6. Milagro Tequila
Aromatic, cheerful and inexpensive, Milagro has been a staple amongst millennials and the shot of choice of many tequila-loving bar-goers. Silver is the brand’s most popular selection, featuring a mix of earthy and spicy flavors that blend nicely together for rich, savoring consumption.
7. 123 Certified Organic Tequila Blanco
One of the best organic-certified brands on the market, 123 Tequila has prided itself on creating delicious organic tequilas by employing some of the best farming and production practices in the biz. The tequila itself is exquisite, made from agave grown on USDA- and EU-certified organic estates.
Step 1: Forget Everything You Think You Know
Chances are, your last encounter with tequila involved tribal chanting, a pile of shot glasses, and a bottle of Jose Cuervo. This is understandable, but unfortunate.
Step 2: Learn How to Identify a Good Tequila
Most tequila consumed in America (Cuervo in particular) qualifies as "mixto tequila," which is made with at least 51% agave and completed with sugar-based spirits. Put politely: These tequilas should be avoided at all costs. Instead, look for brands made with 100% agave, and get an aged tequila whenever possible.
Step 3: Drink It in a Classic (Not Frozen) Margarita
Once you've found a good tequila, you'll want to ease into the flavor. The best way to do that is through a classic margarita—avoid the frozen varieties, which can mask the taste of the liquor in an avalanche of sugar. Follow this recipe for best results, and remember: Go with Cointreau, not Triple Sec.
Step 4: Drink It with Sangrita
Once you've experienced a good margarita, you can graduate to phase four, which is sipping it with sangrita. Meaning "little blood" in Spanish (a reference to its color), sangrita is a non-alcoholic drink that's traditionally served with tequila.
Step 5: Drink It Solo
Finally, at long last, you're ready for the real deal. Fill a snifter or shot glass with your best añejo tequila (these are generally smoother on the tongue), and sip it in small doses, swishing it in your mouth for 5-10 seconds to get the full range of flavors.
Bourbon
Bourbon whiskey hails from the bluegrass state and is still wildly popular today. Occasionally, the old-fashioned cocktail has the privilege of using it as a base, but those who want to taste every note should eagerly pour 2 fingers and spend the next hour or so sniffing, chewing, and swallowing one of America’s favorite after-dinner pastimes.
Scotch
There are two types of people—those who drink scotch whisky and those who don’t. Seldom a go-to for cocktails, scotch is quite confident in itself. Open it up with a splash of water or simply on its own to discover each note in a different form.
American or Irish Whiskey
Yes, we are taking our chances here and forcing the Americans and Irish to share a section on whiskey. Truth be told, we love them both dearly. There are differences and each has its own dedicated fans who never stray to the other side. Still, for the sake of whiskey, let’s group the two together.
Tequila
Yes, tequila. Absolutely, it’s a great mixer and we’ll never give up our favorite tequila-based cocktails that remind us of sunny days. We’ll also never give up enjoying tequila neat, since it’s one of the most layered spirits out there, and one of the liquors that are best on their own.