How to drink tequila: 6 ways

Tequila is a traditional Mexican alcoholic drink of increased strength, and if it is consumed, you can’t do a simple “poured-drank-ate”, you need, if not skill and experience, knowledge of certain rules, otherwise you will not only appreciate the taste and properties drunk, but you can also cause some harm to yourself. Not to mention the fact that you form a completely wrong idea of ​​tequila as an alcoholic beverage.

Tequila: what it is and how it is made

First of all, it should be noted that the name of the drink received from the name of the town, in which the production of tequila became widespread. This is the Mexican town of Tequila, which is located fifty kilometers from Guadalajara, a major city, state capital. It is here that grows blue agave, from which the core is subsequently removed to undergo fermentation,distillation and become the main component of tequila.

Depending on the percentage of blue agave juice, the drink falls into two categories:

1. Premium tequila, which is 100% juice; such a product is made only at home, where it is bottled and put on sale, as a rule, its quantity is limited, and the cost hits the average person’s wallet.
2. Tequila "standard" is a peculiar mix of sugars, of which, according to Mexican law, at least 51% is allocated to the share of blue agave juice; besides it, corn syrup or cane sugar (most often) is added to the drink, however they can be replaced with other sugar-containing products at the discretion of the manufacturer.

On top of this, tequila (its value and, accordingly, cost) differ even depending on the exposure time after production: the inscriptions “plata” and “blanca” indicate that the product was made not more than two months ago; "Joven" - quite a young drink, without exposure; “Reposado” has a shutter speed of about a year, “añejo” - up to three years, “extra añejo” - more than three years.

How to drink tequila

Tequila after production, in its original form, has a fortress of about 55 degrees, which is significantly higher than the percentage of alcohol found in traditional Russian vodka. Therefore, before use, it is always diluted to 38-40 degrees and cooled slightly.

For the use of tequila, there are special small narrow tall glasses with bottom gulf, experts call them "horses". And the process itself must be stretched, for this purpose there are different ways to properly drink tequila. Mexicans explain this by the fact that it takes a lot of time to make it, and every drop of drink is worth tasting it properly.

Method one
It involves the use of tequila in almost pure form, without a snack, only diluted to an acceptable strength.

Second way
Before you drink tequila (again, in one gulp, trying to do it in one sip), you need to eat a little chili pepper.

Third way
This is the traditional and most common option, which is based on three basic principles - lick, drink and snack. For the implementation of this way you need a saucer with salt,a glass of tequila and a quarter of lime, its bitter taste with a slight sourness perfectly shades and enriches the taste of the drink itself. Lick the skin between the index finger and the thumb of the non-working hand, pour in a little salt and squeeze a few drops of lime juice on top. Lick all this and drink tequila in one gulp, then eat the rest of the citrus pulp.

In the absence of lime, you can limit yourself to lemon - the difference in taste and perception of the drink will be, but not so significant. In addition, instead of sprinkling salt on the hands, you can sprinkle it on the edges of the cup (slightly moisten and “dip” in a saucer with salt).

Fourth method
Also implies the presence in the arsenal of lemon and salt. Cut a lemon in half and remove the pulp to make an improvised glass. Salt the edges, “dipping” them in a saucer with salt, and fill them with chilled tequila or add half an ice cube. Often this aperitif treat new arrivals at home parties.

Method Five
This method has several names - Mexicans call it "Rapido", which translates as "fast", and we know it better known as "tequila boom".Its essence is that a glass of tequila is served along with a tonic. The glass is covered with a palm, after which it should be sharply (but not too hard, so as not to smash), hit it on a tabletop or knee, and then with a gulp drink a boiling contents. This option is also very popular in domestic bars and clubs.

Sixth way
For this option, you need a little more preparation - you need to mix sugar and cinnamon in a shallow saucer, and roll an orange slice in the resulting mixture. Thus, you get an original, with a specific taste, a snack for alcohol.

Tequila Cocktails

Some cocktails can be prepared only by professional bartenders who have knowledge and a certain skill, but there are those who learn how to cook on their own are not so difficult. Especially if you have a powerful motivational incentive - for example, hit your friends at the upcoming party.

"Submarino" or "Ruff"
In fact, the domestic "Ruff" is a little different from the traditional Mexican cocktail, but they have the same essence. Mexicans even determined the exact proportions - you need to take 0.33 ml of tequila and 330 ml of beer.An empty tequila cup is placed in a beer mug and gradually filled with a drink; the heavy bottom pulls it down, and the two drinks thus mix evenly. Often, tequila is replaced with ordinary vodka.

"Margarita"
A very popular alcoholic cocktail, which became the progenitor of many similar mixtures that appeared later. The name was invented for a reason - the author of such a successful alcoholic mix is ​​Margarita Seyms. To make it, you need to mix tequila, Cointreau liqueur and lime juice in proportions 3: 1: 1 in a shaker and add ice at your discretion.

Bartenders do not get tired of inventing new and new types of cocktails - among them are widespread options with fruit fillings (usually strawberries or pineapple) as additional ingredients. An interesting recipe with caramel - after its addition and thorough mixing, the drink gets a golden hue and a sweetish aftertaste. Sometimes components are completely replaced, except for tequila, which creates the base.

Remember that tequila is one of the strongest alcoholic beverages in the world, so you shouldn’t rush into the pool with your head the first time - what good, you can burn your throat.To get started, get acquainted with its taste, drink a couple of cups not to hit everyone with your skills, but to taste and adapt to taste. And try not to keep the drink poured into glasses for a long time - it starts to warm up and loses its taste. In this case, keep an ice bucket on hand. And better just drink it right away.

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