Tequila is the same symbol of Mexico as vodka is Russia. However, the Europeans came up with a drink. Arriving on a new continent, they saw an interesting custom of Indians to drink low alcohol agave juice during the holidays. This “drink of the gods” was called pulke. Spanish conquistadors - lovers of stronger distillates, overtook the local drink, which is why mezcal appeared. Thoroughly refined to tear transparency, it turned into tequila. And if mezcal appeared already around 1535, then last metamorphoses took place with the last drink. Being purified, it bore different names. Mostly it was “agave wine” or brandy mezcal. Tequila got its current name from the town of Tequila, which is located in the Mexican state of Jalisco, west of Guadalajara. The drink quickly gained popularity in the north, in the USA. With us, this distillate is only beginning to win hearts. This article will focus on how to drink tequila properly.
First meeting
If you have never tried tequila before, be careful with the choice of products. The market, especially the Russian one, is awash with falsification. From acquaintance with such “tequila” you may develop a persistent rejection of this drink. If you expect that it is “the same vodka, only from a cactus”, you are severely mistaken. The taste of tequila is not comparable with anything. Unless, of course, this is an authentic drink. The label should include two important points. The first is the composition: 100% blue agave. And the second is the place of production: Mexico, Jalisco. All other regions have the right to bottle tequila. Serve a drink in Mexico in tall and narrow clay cups with a thick bottom. They are called “cabalitos,” that is, “horses.” We will talk later about what they drink with tequila. But when you first meet, just take a sip and hold it in your mouth. Feel the whole taste, and then swallow, feeling a warm wave pass through the esophagus. By the way, tequila, unlike vodka, is not cooled before serving. She reveals the best qualities at room temperature.
What to drink with tequila
Mexicans themselves believe that this drink is good in itself, and does not need accompaniment. It is served both on an aperitif and on a digestif, but not with food. Mexicans do not bite tequila, but drink it, and even then in rare cases. It is best to use a glass in one gulp. So considers simple Mexican people. Food lovers believe that the drink should be consumed with salt. Better yet, Caribbean lime bites. Why is tequila drunk with salt? Scientists have found the answer to this. Salt exacerbates the sensitivity of receptors in the tongue. What about lime? It acts like coffee beans for the nose: cleans the tongue for further perception. This trio - tequila + salt + lime - and gave rise to many ways to use the distillate.
Authentic recipes. Sangrita
Before considering what you drink with tequila in Western Europe and the USA, let's explore the local, Mexican custom. Mescal, a common ancestor of a club drink, was usually consumed in one gulp of small goblets. At the same time, they did not jam anything, did not drink it, and did not smell it. But tequila is a sophisticated drink, and glamorous young men are not like a stern macho. Therefore, in Mexico there were born three ways to use this distillate. The first we have already described. This is already a classic trio with tequila, salt and lime. This method has a lot of nuances, up to erotic fantasies, which we will discuss later. The second way to drink tequila is with Sangrita. Just do not confuse this non-alcoholic cocktail of orange and tomato juice with the addition of hot pepper with Sangria (Spanish wine, where it is customary to put slices of citrus fruits). It is customary to drink a glass of tequila in one gulp. After which it is already possible to sip Sangrita slowly.
Authentic recipes. "Tabasco"
The third method is also not quite familiar to the European stomach. Pour tequila into cabalitos and set aside. A regular glass cup is filled with lemon or lime juice (preferably fresh). Dip Tabasco sauce into it. It is important not to overdo it: this seasoning is very sharp, because it is made from hot chili peppers, acetic acid and salt. Stir the sauce in the juice with a spoon. Then we proceed, as in the previous recipe. In a gulp, drain a glass of tequila and drink it slowly with juice. This method allows you to appreciate the rich aroma and taste of a wonderful distillate from blue agave sprouts. Well, now consider what they drink with tequila outside its homeland - Mexico.
Types of Mexican Vodka
Having crossed the borders of his native land and becoming a welcome guest at youth parties first in the USA and then in Europe, tequila has “grown” with various variations. The most famous are “Silver” (it is also “white”), “Gold”, “Olmeka” and “Chocolate”. And for each of these species, their own ways of drinking were invented. Like vodka is premium, so is tequila. "Olmeka" and "Gold" are considered more refined. “Chocolate” is a separate story, a variation invented for those who do not like the sharp-salty taste. A great way to cheer a girl too constrained at a disco - after all, tequila is drunk easily, and at first you do not feel its insidious alcoholic effects. When asked what to drink chocolate tequila with, experts say that it goes great solo. A pleasant, velvety aroma of cocoa replaces dessert, and only in the aftertaste is light alcohol felt. But chocolate tequila (however, like other types) feel great in cocktails.
With what to drink tequila "Olmeka"
This is a type of premium drink. But do not think that tequila "blue blood" needs to be consumed somehow in a special way. This cognac suggests the presence of a leather-studded cabinet, cigars, bow ties and other etiquette troubles. Tequila - a club drink, one might say, youth. Therefore, they need to enjoy with a young enthusiasm. So with what to drink Olmeka tequila? All those methods are suitable for this species as for the “silver”, white distillate. The most common method is called “licked, knocked over, bit”. It consists in the following. Pinch a slice of lime between the thumb and forefinger. Pour salt into a notch on the back of your hand . In the other hand we take cabalitos with a drink. On your marks! Attention! March! We dip the tongue in salt and, until the crystals have time to dissolve, we overturn the cup. And then we’re jamming with bitter lime.
German way
It is similar to the previous one. Only salt is replaced with cinnamon, and bitter lime is replaced with sweet orange. So the Germans answered the question of what to drink Gold tequila with. You can pour cinnamon on the back of the hand - in the recess between the thumb and forefinger. So do in the company of bosom friends. A more prim way to consume Gold tequila is to dip the wet edges of the glass in powdered sugar mixed with cinnamon, then pour the drink. Next put a saucer with slices of orange. But the Germans went even further and included tequila in the number of erotic games. Instead of a palm, cinnamon is poured onto the beloved’s body with a path; the navel plays the role of a glass ... However, such alcohol consumption presumes a chamber environment.
"Rapido", a Mexican ruff and more
Inventive club youth came up with a ton of ways with which you can drink tequila. For example, scrape out the flesh of lime, and make something like cups out of the skin. They are powdered with salt and poured tequila. After that, the cups are eaten. The Spanish method is called Rapido ("fast") or "tequila boom." In a glass with distillate add tonic in a ratio of one to one. Cover the glass with a palm and hit the table sharply. There is a "boom" - the tonic begins to hiss and foam. Naturally, you need a glass with a thick bottom, otherwise the drink will be on your clothes, and your fingers will be in blood from broken glass. Another way - especially for those who adhere to the worldly principle: "Vodka without beer is wasted money." It is called the Mexican Ruff. Tequila is poured with Corona Extra beer in a proportion of 1:10. But Tequila con gusano (with a worm) indicates a low quality distillate.
Tequila cocktails
Based on this Mexican distillate, many interesting mixes have been created. The most famous and popular cocktail is Margarita. All those ingredients that we called when we answered the question of what is better to drink tequila participate in its manufacture. Dip a wide glass in salt so that its edges are dressed with “hoarfrost”. Pour one part of the tequila. Add equal amounts of orange liquor and lime juice. A few more ice cubes - and you're done. Now consider how to drink chocolate tequila in cocktails. This type of distillate goes well with currant liquor, Chivava, brandy, grenadine and other syrups.