A complete guide to tequila

It's fair to say many people associate tequila with drinking shots with a lick of salt and a suck of lime (or lemon).

It's also fair to say that there are many myths surrounding this incredible spirit. Case in point: many people think tequila can be made anywhere in Mexico. This is incorrect.

We spoke to tequila gurus Karina Sánchez Huitrón and Cara Watson to find out everything you need to know about this unique, smooth and extremely versatile spirit.

What is tequila?

Tequila is more than just a drink; it's an icon that has been part of Mexico's history for years.

Tequila is a distilled spirit made from the blue agave –a native plant to Mexico. It can only be produced in 181 municipalities located in Jalisco, Nayarit, Michoacán, Guanajuato and Tamaulipas.

Tequila falls into two categories: tequila (also known as mixtos) and 100% agave. The difference? Premium tequilas are made from 100% blue agave. These are premium tequilas that can be sipped neat. Tequilas (mixtos) are made with at least 51% of agave sugars and the rest from other sources. They’re generally cheaper than 100% blue agave and are best enjoyed in mixed drinks.

How is tequila made?

Tequila producers shred the blue agave plant’s heart (known as the piña) until the juice comes off. The juice is then mixed with cane sugar and yeast and fermented for several days. The juice is then distilled twice in copper pots.

Where is tequila made?

Tequila is only produced in five regions of Mexico: Jalisco (where 70% of tequila is made and home to the town Tequila), Michoacán, Guanajuato, Nayarit and Tamaulipas. It can only be made in Mexico as the agave plant tequila is extracted from is indigenous to specific regions of Mexico.

What is tequila made from?

Tequila is made from blue agave plants that can take anywhere between 6-12 years to mature depending on where they are planted. Usually after seven to ten years of growth, the agave plant is ready to be harvested. This process is still done by hand. The agave is then cooked, crushed, and fermented to extract the juices. The juice is then distilled and bottled or aged in oak barrels to create different flavours and aromas.

When can a spirit be defined as tequila?

For a spirit to be legally called 100% tequila, it must meet a few requirements.

• It can only be made in the five Mexican states listed earlier.
• It must be made with 100% blue agave.
• It must legally be distilled twice.
• It must be made from a minimum of 51% blue agave, with the remainder to be made up of a neutral spirit made from cane sugar juice.
• Consejo Regulador del Tequila (CRT), or Tequila Regulatory Council, must approve it.

What does tequila taste like?

It varies! Each tequila is slightly different. But generally speaking, tequila has a unique smooth, sweet and earthy flavour. This is all determined by where the agave is grown and the style in which it is processed. Tequila made in the lowland areas tends to have more of a herbal, earthier taste, whereas you get a fruity, floral taste with a sweeter finish with tequila made in the highlands. Barrel ageing tequila will give the spirit an oaky, vanilla sort of flavour. Blanco tequilas tend to offer the purest tequila taste, with a semi-sweet, distinctive flavour.

What are the different types of tequila?

Find out more about the five different types:

What food goes well with tequila?

Tequila can be easily paired with white meat and goes perfectly with bold citrusy, spicy dishes like chicken fajitas with a side of chunky guacamole. This is because the flavour combination of the white meat and sauce is enhanced when accompanied with tequila. Nachos are also a great choice, as the saltiness from the nachos complements the balanced sweetness of most tequila cocktails.

What tequila should you buy?

Regardless of your flavour preferences, we'll have a tequila for you at The Bar.

Not sure where to start when choosing the right tequila? Planning a Cinco de Mayo party at home and want to stock up? Keen to perfect your margarita technique? Or maybe you know your way around tequila and want to try something different. Here's a rundown of some of the best tequilas available right now to help you decide what's right for you.

• Don Julio Blanco Tequila: If you love the flavour of blue agave, pick up a bottle of Don Julio Blanco Tequila. It's great for mixing up palomas.
• Don Julio Reposado Tequila: Do you love tequila to be rich with a smooth finish? Don Julio Reposado Tequila is for you.
• Don Julio Añejo Tequila: Do you like to drink tequila neat or on the rocks? If yes, a bottle of Don Julio Añejo Tequila will be right up your street.
• Don Julio 1942: This is a great gift if you have a big budget and are looking for something exceptional to gift for a milestone birthday or wedding. This liquid gold is worth every penny.

Or try Casamigos...

• Casamigos Reposado Tequila: This is an excellent, easy, sippable tequila - smooth with a hint of caramel, buttery vanilla, and a full-bodied smokey finish. This one's a real treat if you love your tequila neat or mixed into spicy margaritas.
• Casamigos Añejo Tequila: Treat yourself or someone special to a nice bottle of Casamigos Añejo Tequila if you're all about aged tequilas. You can use it to make a twist on an old favourite: an Añejo Old Fashioned.
• Casamigos Blanco Tequila: If you're all about fruity tequila with notes of vanilla and grapefruit, you'll love Casamigos Blanco Tequila.

Is tequila the same as mezcal?

No. Although mezcal is similar to tequila, as it's made from an agave plant, it's not the same as tequila. It can be made from many species of agave plant not just the blue agave like tequila is. Also, mezcal is produced using traditional methods, which include cooking the agave underground which creates a smokier flavour. Mezcal has become a popular ingredient in cocktails in the US and Europe, with people using it to create unique drinks like Mezcal Negronis and Mezcal Mules.

What are the best tequila cocktails?

We're glad you asked! Discover our ten favourite tequila cocktails here. But if we had to whittle it down to our top three? It would have to be a classic Margarita, zesty Paloma or a crowd-pleasing Tequila Sunrise.