#tequila

#tequila

In Mexico, the official standards governing tequila production are set by the Norma Oficial Mexicana (NOM) and certified by the Consejo Regulador del Tequila (CRT), an agency of the Mexican federal government. Per the NOM, tequila sold in Mexico must fall between 35% and 55% ABV. In fact, the same tequila brand may sell a 35% tequila in Mexico and export a 40% version to the U.S. This is also prompted by the fact that lower-ABV spirits are subjected to lower taxation rates in Mexico.

Tequila has spent a long time in the shadows of the spirits world. Unfairly stereotyped as a drink reserved for college bars and wild nights, its recent renaissance and the emergence of many popular tequila brands have shown the world that it's worth celebrating after all. And nowhere is this celebration more on display than at Ixi'im, a restaurant that claims to have the largest collection of tequila in the world - 3,435 bottles, to be exact.

Hibiscus is a flower with petals that are dried into a tart infusion for teas and aguas frescas. According to Salas, "Hibiscus is a perfect addition to margaritas because it brings a tart, cranberry-like flavor that complements lime and tequila due to its subtle floral sweetness." Furthermore, it imparts a deep red hue to any liquid infusion, which Salas says "[makes] for a visually striking cocktail that's perfect for snapping photos or impressing guests."

Tequila is a complicated spirit that many drinkers either adore or despise. But writing off all tequila is like eliminating cheese from your diet just because you're not a fan of blue cheese. Each tequila variety introduces something different to the palate. We have clean, crisp blancos, smooth reposados, and rich añejos to choose from, and each one can be transformed with a splash of soda.

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."

There are times when drinking cheap booze is an unfortunate reality. Perhaps you don't have a high budget right now, or maybe you're at a party and are stuck with what's on offer. Whatever the reason you need to make low-quality alcohol taste better, I'm here to help. I have experience with all the methods and tips I discuss here.

Cranberry margarita, anyone?! This 4-ingredient cocktail is a holiday twist on my classic margarita recipe. I keep the tequila, orange liqueur, and lime, but I replace the simple syrup with cranberry juice. It's sweet and tart, fruity and refreshing, and a gorgeous ruby red. Garnished with fresh cranberries and a rosemary sprig, it's so darn fun and festive! I developed this recipe with Thanksgiving in mind-we're celebrating in Austin this year, so serving margaritas just felt right.

Every year, tequila aficionados eagerly await the arrival of the newest and freshest bottles of the agave spirit. It wasn't always this way, though. Tequila was once predominantly known as part of the college party stereotype, where those fueled with the drink would chase shots with lime and salt and regret it the next morning. Today, things are somewhat different, with the drink being a beverage of choice across multiple generations throughout the U.S.

You can revamp your Italian Aperol spritz with a nod to the Mexican paloma cocktail - just add the simple yet tangy ingredients you need for a paloma itself: a touch of grapefruit juice, a bottle of your preferred brand of tequila, some lemon or lime, and a can of club soda. In this scenario, the Aperol - a bittersweet orange aperitif - balances the rest of the ingredients, adding a hint of Italy to the Mexican classic.

We don't know about you, but nothing warms us up on a cold winter's night more than a boozy cocktail. Of course, the obvious spirits usually take the spotlight when cooler months roll around - whiskey, scotch, dark berry liqueurs, and rum among them. Tequila, on the other hand, is often mistaken for a warm-weather-only spirit. Perhaps it's the obvious association tequila has with margaritas, enjoyed while sun-drenched and sitting poolside.

Echoing the vibrancy of summer while still celebrating fall's hearty essence, Tasting Table recipe developer, Ksenia Prints' skinny apple cider margarita recipe is everything you could want when hosting a fall dinner party. Trips to the orchards are condensed into sips of cider - made all the more gratifying by the lively spirit of a margarita. At the end of each sip lingers a coziness that warms you right up, and it's exactly what you need when the temperature starts to drop.

Guadalajara challenges its moniker, Mexico's second city, with a wellspring of the dazzling culture that has put this country on the top of so many international traveler's lists. The brassy fanfare of mariachi music was first played in the region's rural reaches and popularized in Guadalajara's handsome plazas. Before it became a worldwide food trend, birria was a staple in the city's holes-in-the-wall.

Use tequila flutes for a proper sipping experience. This is the best way to enjoy tequila when sipped neat to experience the full breadth of flavors and aromas.

The aroma of Mijenta blanco tequila is what first had our taster hooked, but their first sip delivered even more layers of flavor - including sweet melon, pineapple, and a soft, toasty notes similar to banana bread. The tequila is rich but not heavy, with a creamy mouthfeel and an easy finish. Mijenta beat out some of the biggest names on the shelf - including Don Julio, Casamigos, and Patrón.

Tequila is produced exclusively in Mexico and has become a star in California's cocktail culture. More than 50 million cases of tequila were sold in the U.S. in 2023, with most of that consumed in the Golden State. And demand for tequila is growing faster than vodka, whiskey, and all other spirits combined. But this summer, several legal battles have begun which could shake up the entire industry.

Tequila Don Julio has once again partnered with award-winning Mexican American fashion designer Willy Chavarria to present the latest Tequila Don Julio 70 Añejo Cristalino Artist Edition bottle. This collaboration, steeped in Mexican culture and the celebration of tradition, arrives as a bold follow-up to last year's acclaimed debut. By weaving Chavarria's artistic vision with the heritage of Don Julio, the release stands as a modern tribute to passion, resilience, and the vibrant spirit of Día de Muertos.

This February, the Academy Award-nominated actress partnered with Premium Beers Group, a leader within the alcohol industry in Mexico, to launch her own tequila cocktail brand called Angel Margarita. At the Fast Company Innovation Festival on September 16, Steinfeld told audiences that the brand is all about creating something that feels "real" and "authentic" in a beverage industry full of other players.

The Best New Bartender program seeks out the next generation of talent who are making their mark on both sides of the bar through their creativity, participation in social initiatives and commitment to hospitality.

Hacienda Patrón is both a cathedral to tequila and a living testament to the land, culture, and people of Mexico, surrounded by undulating fields of Weber Blue Agave.

Volcán De Mi Tierra, a brand forged from the Gallardo family and LVMH, offers an ultra-premium line of additive-free tequilas rooted in Jalisco's volcanic soil.

The organic white bottling of Copalli Rum is perfect for Daiquiris, while their Cacao Rum is smooth, ideal solo or as a base in cocktails.

This collaboration with Reserva de la Familia allowed us to create something unprecedented: a spirit that not only honors tradition, but redefines it.

The $100 Nosotros x Simplehuman Blanco tequila, made from the same agave fibers used in their sponges, showcases a unique partnership between innovative brands.