Forget Lime And Salt - This Is The Traditional Tequila Chaser - Tasting Table

"Shots are the quickest way to get tequila down, but there's a way to actually enjoy the taste of tequila without trying to mask it with salt and lime juice. In an interview with Tasting Table, Jaime Salas, Head of Advocacy & Legacy for Jose Cuervo Tequila deemed the tried and true lime and salt duo "training wheels." But, says Salas, "while salt and lime are known as a dynamic duo when enjoying tequila shots, sangrita brings flavor contrast that still compliments the expression.""

"Like tequila, sangrita is served in a shot glass. While you can throw it back in the same one-and-done fashion as the tequila shot, Salas told us that "sangrita can also be used as a palate cleanser between shots of tequila, elevating the overall tasting experience." In fact, many Mexicans take small interchanging sips of tequila and sangrita instead of shots."

Sangrita is a traditional Mexican chaser for tequila, originating in Jalisco and made from tomato juice, dried chilies and fruit juices. Two common origin stories link sangrita to leftover pico de gallo juice or to a tomato-juice chaser served to American expatriates. Sangrita delivers tart, sweet and spicy notes that complement savory and slightly spicy tequila flavors rather than masking them. Sangrita is typically served in a shot glass and can be sipped alternately with tequila as a palate cleanser, with many people taking small alternating sips instead of straight shots. Typical recipes combine tomato and orange juice, lime juice and fresh chilies.

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