A beginners guide to loving tequila
Tequila is my jam. I love it and I love to share my love of it with anyone I meet. But more often than not, I get met with disgusted cries of “Oh my god, I HATE tequila!” and every time I tell them the same thing;
You do not hate tequila. You hate the taste of salt, petrol and lemon.
And that’s OK! A lick of salt? Ugh! A mouthful of cheap, petrol-like alcohol? YUCK. Sucking on a LEMON? NO THANK YOU! When I talk about tequila, I am talking about a smooth but punchy little drink, to be sipped, not slammed. It’s aromatic, it can be sweet and caramelly, it can be spicy and peppery. It can be delicious.
But what exactly is tequila?
Tequila is a type of mezcal. Mezcal is the national drink of Mexico and is made from agave plants. Tequila is a type of mezcal made from one specific type of agave plant (blue agave). Mezcal is also a delight, once you find the good ones. It is smokey and sultry and, along with tequila, should be respected.
My 5 steps to learning to love tequila (or mezcal)
Step 1: Stop drinking shit tequila
Too many people have only really tried tequila from a tray of 12, in a bar, at a few quid per shot. That is no recipe for success. The first step on my journey to loving tequila was cutting out the kind of cheap silver tequila they serve in trays. I personally prefer anejo or reposado tequilas (tequilas that have been aged) but you can also find good quality silver tequilas. I just prefer something more smooth and sippable.
Tip: Reposado has been aged from 2 - 12 months.
Anejo has been aged for at least 12 months.
The result is a golden colour and, in my opinion, much smoother, more pleasurable drinking experience. But be clear- “tequila gold” does not automatically mean good tequila. This can mean a cheap silver tequila that has caramel food flavouring added, giving it a nice gold colour and a sickly sweet taste. Be sure to clarify either reposado or anejo.
Step 2: Ditch the Patron
When I first discovered that tequila can be good, I made a beeline for Patron, as most people do. It’s in the songs! It sounds boss! It literally means boss! But it’s just expensive petrol. Once you start tasting other, more complex tequilas you will realise how harsh and acid-y Patron tastes. It’s still a safe bet if you want something to knock back at the bar and it’s the only tequila they have that’s more than £2 a shot, but if you’re going to really learn to love tequila, and build a little collection at home, your money is better spent elsewhere (read on!)
Step 3: Forget the price tag
Being a snob wont help you when it comes to finding good tequilas. More expensive does not always mean better- as clearly shown with Patron. At around €/£80 per bottle, it’s not cheap at all. Yet you can find much more enjoyable tequilas for half that price. One of my favourite bottles is literally half the price at £45.
Tip: expensive does not always mean good.
Step 4: Drink it right
Good tequila and mezcal are smooth enough to sip. Get yourself some little copitas (tiny little bowls, something similar to like the kind of bowl you’d put soy sauce in), pour in the golden liquid and sip it. In Mexico it’s the only way they drink mezcal as you have to show it respect.
Tip: Kiss the mezcal! Fill up your copita and finish it slowly, in 3 sips.
If you absolutely must shoot it, and even I do this sometimes, do it like this; when you’re on a night out, things are getting a little wild and you want a buzz but to still enjoy the drink, you can take tequila shooters, but take them right.
Make sure it’s a reposado or anejo tequila.
Don’t get a whole tray, just one here and there as you want it.
Swap the salt and lemon for orange and cinnamon.
Dust a little cinnamon on the orange slice.
Take the shot and eat the orange.
It’ll taste like Christmas!
Step 5: So which tequilas do I start with?
Here is a list of some of my favourite tequilas and mezcals and a few I think you’ll love.
Don Julio Reserve Reposado / Don Julio Reserve Anejo (budget: £45)
A delicious budget tequila! Priced around the €/£45 - 50 mark for 70cl. The bottle is the short, thick bottle that Don Julio himself invented. Tequila would always be shared at the dinner tables in Mexico but the bottles were tall so you had to constantly twist around them to see your companion. This bottle makes sure the tequila looks great and sophisticated but doesn’t take away the most important thing- the human connection. Smooth as you sip with citrus and fruity flavours that make it a dream.
Mezcal Amores (budget: £48)
One of the few silver mezcals I actually enjoy. It’s rich and smokey and woody. It runs at you like it’s going to punch you in the face but then embraces you in a strong, solid hug instead. Approx €/£50 in most stores.
Casamigos Reposado Tequila (mid range: £60)
This was created by George Clooney (although he since sold it for an insane amount) but it is no gimmick. A very nice tequila that you should definitely try. I like the branding, the bottle is tall but the branding is very cool. It’s a bit more spicy and peppery than I usually go for, so not one of the sweeter options. But a solid tequila for around €/£70.
Clase Azul Reposado (high end: £140)
This beast is not really for the beginner, unless you have hella spare cash to splash at over €/£150. It’s a high end tequila, but one that is worth every penny. Firstly, let’s talk about the bottle. Whilst the volume is the same as most other bottles, it’s huge! Huge and commanding. The bottle is hand painted by artisans local to the distillery. The agave is all organic, slow cooked and the end result is literally award winning. Then, to drink, it manages to be earthy and woody, but with tropical fruit sweetness, hints of honey and maybe even vanilla.
If you ever get the chance to taste this tequila, do it! A single serving in a bar will still be expensive, anywhere from €20 - €35 but it’s less than a bottle and if you drink it properly (remember, kiss the mezcal) you’ll understand why this is one I treasure in my collection.
Kah Reposado Tequila (mid range: £55)
This is a really nice tequila to give as a gift or take to a party. It’s a solid all-rounder with both spicy and peppery notes as well a sweet caramel finish and it’s just cool. Very Dia de los Muertos inspired bottle that we’ll be keeping on our shelves long after the bottle is empty. I love bringing this one out when we have friends over.
Ilegal Anejo Mezcal (high end: £90)
If you’re going to try any mezcal, try this one. It’s SO GOOD. It's smokey, sweet, herby, fruity, floral, minty and even a little chocolatey. It has all of the flavours, but manages to be subtle and gentle on the tongue. The smoke brings it all together and makes it a taste like nothing else. It’s on the pricier side at around €/£100 but it’s not something you knock back, it’s something you savour so will last long enough to make it worth the price tag.
