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Tequila and agave spirits
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DRINKS JOURNAL

Tequila and agave spirits

Agave spirits are made by cooking the heart of the agave plant to convert it to sugar, then fermenting and distilling it. Tequila is a Mexican denomination of origin: it must use blue agave and be made in designated states. Agave spirits from other places or processes carry other names, such as mezcal.

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Six clues to your next glass

Explore aroma, texture and serving style to find what you enjoy.

ABV

Varies by product; check the label

Check the bottle for its alcohol content. When mixing, consider both the measure and the mixer.

Sweetness

DrySweet

Varies by product; check the label

Sweet aromas and sugar are different clues. Colour alone does not tell you sweetness.

Acidity

GentleBright

Depends on the drink and its mixers

Distinguish acidity in the drink itself from acidity added by juice or mixers.

Aroma

Agave, herbal notes, aged notes

Ideas for describing aromas; illustrated ingredients are not present in every product.

Texture

LightFull

Light — Full

A light finish or a rounded texture? Temperature and dilution can change the impression.

Serving

Sip a small measure; water or soda are options

Start with the producer’s serving advice, then adjust temperature or water a little at a time.

The bands show dimensions of taste, not scores or positions for individual products.

THE DETAILS

Understand the styles

A Mexican spirit rooted in agave

Tequila developed within Mexico’s agave-distilling traditions. Fermented agave beverages and distilled spirits are related subjects, but they are not interchangeable historical categories. Modern tequila has defined geographical and production requirements and uses blue agave. Agave is not a cactus: understanding the plant and the place is a better starting point than treating the drink as a ritual involving salt and a shot glass.

Separate sugar source from maturation

The 100% agave category describes the source of fermentable sugars, not the age of the spirit. Blanco, reposado and añejo tell a different part of the story about maturation. Cooked-agave, herbal and citrus-like notes can be joined by flavours associated with oak. Sweet-smelling aromas do not necessarily mean high sugar, and colour is not a complete guide to production or quality.

Explore beyond the shot

Try a small neat pour, then compare it with soda or a balanced Margarita. Add sweetness and acidity gradually so that the base spirit remains recognisable. Salt and lime are one serving custom rather than a universal requirement. Grilled vegetables, roasted meat and citrus-seasoned dishes can provide starting points for pairing, with the particular bottle’s flavour deciding the final balance.

Further reading: Consejo Regulador del Tequila · Our tequila

Tasting glasses and water: explore how glassware and temperature shape aroma.
Tasting glasses and water: explore how glassware and temperature shape aroma.
Q-NaQ-Na

How does it taste, and how do you serve it?

JoanneJoanne

The lime-and-salt shot is the familiar form, but good bottlings show more aroma when sipped at room temperature. They pair easily with dishes built on citrus and herbs.

AT THE TABLE

Start with the food.

Six Japanese, six Western and six Chinese/Taiwanese dishes selected for this drink category, including familiar snacks and easy dishes to make at home.

Use canned tuna if mackerel is hard to find, spinach instead of bok choy, or a little soy sauce and citrus juice instead of ponzu. Adjust to taste.

Western food & easy snacks 6 ideas

Carrot and cumin salad

Easy home recipe · About 5 min

Ingredients (2 snack portions)
1 carrot, 2 tsp olive oil, 1 tsp lemon juice, a pinch of cumin

Method

  1. Finely grate the carrot.
  2. Mix with the oil, lemon and cumin.

Try it withBlanco tequila with soda water

Try a lighter serving with green aromas and salt. Keep sharply acidic dressings modest at first.

Tomato and mozzarella

Easy home recipe · About 5 min

Ingredients (2 snack portions)
1 tomato, 100g mozzarella, 4 basil leaves, 1 tsp olive oil

Method

  1. Slice and arrange the tomato and cheese.
  2. Add basil and olive oil.

Try it withBlanco tequila with soda water

Try a lighter serving with green aromas and salt. Keep sharply acidic dressings modest at first.

Lemon sardine toast

Easy home recipe · About 10 min

Ingredients (2 snack portions)
100g drained canned sardines, 2 slices bread, 1 tsp lemon juice

Method

  1. Toast the bread.
  2. Top with sardines and drizzle with lemon juice.

Try it withReposado tequila with a little water

Taste a little of the aromatic drink alongside the dish’s richness and umami. Adjust temperature or dilution if it dominates.

Herb roast chicken

A supermarket roast is fine. Let the herbs and browned skin lead, with sauce on the side.

Try it withReposado tequila with a little water

Explore the food’s grilled or toasted notes alongside the drink’s aroma. Start with moderate char and salt.

Hummus and crackers

Shop-bought hummus with plain crackers highlights chickpeas and sesame richness.

Try it withReposado tequila with a little water

Taste a little of the aromatic drink alongside the dish’s richness and umami. Adjust temperature or dilution if it dominates.

Smoked sausage

Choose a fully cooked product and follow its instructions; keep hot sauces light.

Try it withReposado tequila with a little water

Taste a little of the aromatic drink alongside the dish’s richness and umami. Adjust temperature or dilution if it dominates.

Japanese 6 ideas

Avocado with nori

Easy home recipe · About 5 min

Ingredients (2 snack portions)
1 avocado, 1/2 sheet roasted nori, 1 tsp soy sauce

Method

  1. Cut the avocado.
  2. Toss with soy sauce and top with torn nori.

Try it withBlanco tequila with soda water

Try a lighter serving with green aromas and salt. Keep sharply acidic dressings modest at first.

Steamed cabbage with ponzu

Easy home recipe · About 10 min

Ingredients (2 snack portions)
200g cabbage, 2 tbsp water, 2 tsp ponzu

Method

  1. Put chopped cabbage and water in a pan
  2. cover and steam for 3–4 minutes.
  3. Drain and toss with ponzu.

Try it withBlanco tequila with soda water

Try a lighter serving with green aromas and salt. Keep sharply acidic dressings modest at first.

Canned mackerel with ginger

Easy home recipe · About 5 min

Ingredients (2 snack portions)
150g drained canned mackerel, 1 tsp grated ginger, 1 tbsp chopped spring onion

Method

  1. Flake the drained mackerel.
  2. Toss with ginger and spring onion.

Try it withReposado tequila with a little water

Taste a little of the aromatic drink alongside the dish’s richness and umami. Adjust temperature or dilution if it dominates.

Vegetable tempura

Try pumpkin, aubergine and green pepper. Begin with salt rather than a heavy dipping sauce.

Try it withBlanco tequila with soda water

Try a fresher serving against the rich coating and oil. Serve chilli sauce separately to make comparison easier.

Miso-glazed aubergine

A deli portion works well. Look for sweet-savoury miso and a lightly grilled surface.

Try it withReposado tequila with a little water

Taste a little of the aromatic drink alongside the dish’s richness and umami. Adjust temperature or dilution if it dominates.

Lotus-root crisps

Serve a shop-bought handful in a bowl; start with lightly salted crisps.

Try it withBlanco tequila with soda water

Try a fresher serving against the rich coating and oil. Serve chilli sauce separately to make comparison easier.

Chinese & Taiwanese 6 ideas

Cooked prawns with ginger

Easy home recipe · About 5 min

Ingredients (2 snack portions)
150g cooked peeled prawns, 1 tsp ginger, 1 tbsp spring onion, 1 tsp each sesame oil and soy sauce

Method

  1. Prepare prawns according to the pack and pat dry.
  2. Toss with the remaining ingredients.

Try it withBlanco tequila with soda water

Keep the gentle savoury flavours in focus. Sip a little and adjust the strength so the food stays distinct.

Tomato and egg stir-fry

Easy home recipe · About 10 min

Ingredients (2 snack portions)
1 tomato, 2 eggs, 2 tsp oil, a pinch of salt

Method

  1. Scramble the beaten eggs in oil and set aside.
  2. Stir-fry chopped tomato for 2–3 minutes.
  3. Return the eggs and cook until fully set
  4. season.

Try it withReposado tequila with a little water

Taste a little of the aromatic drink alongside the dish’s richness and umami. Adjust temperature or dilution if it dominates.

Taiwanese popcorn chicken

Pepper and basil give this fried chicken its character. Plain popcorn chicken with pepper is an easy alternative.

Try it withBlanco tequila with soda water

Try a fresher serving against the rich coating and oil. Serve chilli sauce separately to make comparison easier.

Garlic bok choy

Easy home recipe · About 10 min

Ingredients (2 snack portions)
2 bok choy, 1 garlic clove, 2 tsp oil, 2 tbsp water, a pinch of salt

Method

  1. Chop the garlic and bok choy.
  2. Fry garlic and stems in oil, then add leaves and water.
  3. Cover for 2–3 minutes until tender
  4. season.

Try it withBlanco tequila with soda water

Try a lighter serving with green aromas and salt. Keep sharply acidic dressings modest at first.

Mapo tofu

A ready-made sauce helps; start mild and focus on tofu and savoury meat.

Try it withReposado tequila with a little water

Taste a little of the aromatic drink alongside the dish’s richness and umami. Adjust temperature or dilution if it dominates.

Char siu pork

Thin deli slices offer a sweet-savoury glaze and rich pork flavour.

Try it withReposado tequila with a little water

Taste a little of the aromatic drink alongside the dish’s richness and umami. Adjust temperature or dilution if it dominates.

1 tsp = 5ml; 1 tbsp = 15ml. Times are approximate.

Illustrations show serving ideas. Seasoning and the style of the drink will change the pairing.