Tequila is so much more than the shot you order with lime and salt—it’s an earthy spirit with all sorts of cocktail versatility. But what exactly is tequila?
It all starts with blue agave, a plant native to Mexico, which is stripped down and fermented. From there, it can be directly bottled as blanco tequila, which is clear and full of agave flavor. Reposado tequila, a slightly darker spirit, is created by aging the blanco for up to one year in an oak barrel, giving it a nutty, vanilla flavor. Tequila that is aged for more than one year in an oak barrel is called anjeo and offers a more whiskey-like finish.
No matter which type of tequila you prefer, here are three cocktail recipes you’re sure to enjoy!
Pink Skies
2 oz Ruby Red-infused tequila
.25 oz simple syrup
.5 oz lime juice
4 oz grapefruit soda (we love Jarritos & Topo Chico)
Combine ingredients into a tall glass filled with ice and stir until chilled. Garnish with a lime or grapefruit wedge and take a sip! If you’re feeling fancy, salt the rim of the glass by rubbing a fruit wedge around the edge and dipping it onto a small plate of coarse salt.
Burning Bush
2 oz Hello Sunshine-infused tequila
.25 oz agave nectar
Dash or orange bitters
Dash or Angostura bitters
Add all ingredients into a mixing glass over ice and stir for 30 seconds. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice, garnish with orange peel and enjoy!
Spicy Tequila Fizz
2 oz Parrot Head-infused tequila
1 oz lime juice
4 strawberries
Soda water to top
Muddle strawberries in a glass without ice. Add infused tequila, lime juice, soda water and stir well. Top with ice, give the drink one more stir and garnish with a lime wheel!