Welcome to a new month, which means a new alcohol! And for this month, I'm choosing tequila! Now tequila probably seems like an odd choice for November, and honestly: you're right. This was originally supposed to be my May alcohol (because I am nothing if not a little basic). However, the world still felt like it was burning down some, so I just didn't get to it. Several months later, the world doesn't feel much better, so it's time to put a fire in my belly, at least figuratively. But don't worry: I'm going to show you why you should be thankful for tequila too!
"One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor!"
Tequila seems to be one of those love it or hate it alcohols. Indeed, many of my friends seem to have a story not dissimilar from the quote above, permanently turning them away from this drink. I think that's a shame and I'm out to rectify that!
This alcohol traces its roots back to the Aztecs, who distilled the juice of the blue agave for religious and medicinal purposes. As the popularity of the drink has spread, so have the varieties. You can now choose between those made with 100% agave juice or Mixto tequilas, which include other juices and sugars. But these are not your only choices. You also need to consider:
- White or silver (blanco, plato): tequila that has not been aged. This one has a bite, making it great for margaritas!
- Gold (abocado): also not aged, but have a golden color added, have mellowed some, and seem to usually be a mixture of juices and sugars
- Reposado (rested): as implied by the name, has aged in a barrel, giving it more mellowness and a golden color
- Anejo (aged): the tequilas that have rested in a barrel for minimum of a year. These golden tequilas are infinitely sippable!
One final note: tequila preferences are very personal. Much like whiskeys, tequila reflects the flavors of the area it comes from, so flavors can be fairly different from brand to brand and certainly based on which age you choose.
Now that you have the basic handle on this alcohol, let's start with a concoction I created myself!
This is the grown up answer to a childhood favorite, the Shirley Temple (that sweet concoction of sprite and grenadine). To make this, you will need:
1 oz. lime juice
2 ozs Grenadine
1 oz tequila
Sprite
Ice for the glass
You will also need some basic barware. For this, you will need:
A shot glass with actual .5 ounce markings
A spoon (long-handled bar spoon preferred)
A highball glass
As always, prep is simple! You merely fill the glass with ice, add all your ingredients, and gently stir. Anything more is unnecessary showboating.
Share this recipe with your friends and have a virtual tasting party!
Cheers! Salud! Prost! Slainte! Soupy twist!