Tequila

Tequila is an alcoholic beverage. It is made from the cactus-like agave plant (also called maguey), a succulent similar to the lily which is native to Mexico.

Tequila is mezcal, a strong alcoholic beverage made in an area near the town of Tequila, in the western Mexican state of Jalisco. All tequila is mezcal; what makes tequila different is the region it is made in and the fact that tequila is made from agave Webber, also called blue agave, and agave tequilana. Tequila is required to be 51% agave; the remainder is usually corn or cane sugar. There are, however, premium tequilas made from 100% blue agave.

Tequila made only from agave sugars must be made in Mexico, and is marked Hecho en México (made in Mexico). Bulk agave syrup may be exported, and often has other sugars added, and caramel for colouring. If it is not made from 100% agave, tequila is called mixto.

Tequila is usually bottled in one of three categories: plata ("silver" - aged no more than a couple months), reposado ("rested" - aged about a year), and añejo ("aged" - aged 1-3 years). The aging process does not change the color of tequila, which is always clear, but the liquid has been traditionally colored with caramel to indicate the aging process, so añejos tend to be darker, the reposados slightly less dark, while the platas (sometimes called blancas) are not colored at all.

Note: for more information on how tequila is made, see mezcal

Drinks

Tequila may be drunk straight, as with Scotch whisky, or as an ingredient in other drinks:

• Margarita
• Sangrita is served mixed with tequila, or accompanying it
• Tequila martini, substituting tequila for gin
• Tequila Slammer is a popular tequila based shooter
• Tequila Sunrise

A single shot of tequila is popularly served with salt and a slice of lemon or lime. The drinker dampens the back of their hand below the first finger (usually by licking) and pours on the salt. Then the salt is licked, tequila downed and slice eaten in rapid succession. Groups of drinkers usually do this simultaneously.

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In addition to Tequila, Jalisco, there is another municipality called Tequila in the Mexican state of Veracruz.

External Links

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