Guide to Tequila: 6 Popular Tequila Cocktails

Tequila is a type of alcohol made from the Blue Weber agave plant—a large, spiky-leaved succulent. It is made by harvesting the bulb (or piña) of the agave plant, extracting its juices (or mixto), fermenting those juices, and distilling them. Tequila can only be made from the Weber blue agave plant, or Agave tequilana, and only produced in specific parts of Mexico due to governmental regulations.

Around the year 250, the Aztecs started making a drink called pulque—made from the fermented juices of a plant called the maguey, which is a cousin of the agave—which is considered a predecessor to tequila. Tequila as we know it today—which is distilled, unlike pulque—was likely first made by the Spanish colonists when they invaded South America. In the early 1600s, Don Pedro Sánchez de Tagle began the first distillery in what is now known as Tequila, Jalisco.

In 1974, the Mexican government declared tequila the intellectual property of Mexico, and that tequila can only be produced in certain Mexican states: Jalisco, Nayarit, Guanajuato, Michoacán, and Tamaulipas. A tequila regulatory council (the Consejo Regulador de Tequila, or CRT) maintains tequila production standards (like agave content, alcohol content, aging time, and ingredients) and supports the tequila industry through promoting tourism to tequila-producing regions and supporting trade with other countries.

A tequila’s type depends on the amount of time it is aged. All tequila rests for at least 14 to 21 days after distillation, but when it is aged any longer than that, it is technically considered aged tequila. If tequila is aged for longer than 21 days, it is transferred to oak barrels or casks to age into golden tequila. Here are the five types of tequila:

1. 1. Blanco tequila: Silver or blanco tequila is clear, and it is aged for this minimum time of 14 to 21 days.
2. 2. Reposado tequila: Reposado tequila, meaning “rested”, is aged for two months to one year. This tequila has a light golden color from resting in oak barrels, and has a slightly softer flavor than blanco tequila.
   
3. 3. Añejo tequila: Añejo tequila, meaning “aged”, rests for one to three years in the oak barrels. It is golden, and the agave flavors tend to be a little stronger because of the extended resting process.
4. 4. Extra añejo tequila: Extra añejo tequila is aged for over three years in oak barrels, and is considered a very premium tequila.
5. 5. Joven tequila: Joven tequila, meaning “young”, is a mix of silver tequila and reposado tequila. It tends to be a rarer find.

Tequila makes a great base for a number of classic cocktails:

1. 1. Margarita: The Margarita is one of the most famous Mexican cocktails, made of a simple mixture of tequila, lime, orange liqueur and salt.
2. 2. Paloma: The Paloma is a refreshing cocktail just as popular as the Margarita in Mexico, made from a simple mixture of tequila, grapefruit juice, soda, sugar, and lime.
3. 3. Tequila Sunrise: The Tequila Sunrise is easy to make and is built directly in the glass—all you need is tequila, orange juice, and grenadine.
4. 4. Bloody Maria: This twist on the popular brunch cocktail Bloody Mary substitutes tequila for vodka, completed by adding tomato juice, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and a mix of herbs and spices.
5. 5. El Diablo: This drink is a simple, sweet, and spicy reposado tequila cocktail, made with blackcurrant syrup, ginger beer, lime juice, and reposado tequila.
6. 6. Long Island Iced Tea: The Long Island Iced Tea is known for its high concentration of alcohol—it's made with vodka, tequila, gin, rum, and triple sec. It has a smooth taste and is a favorite for those who desire a drink that packs a strong punch.

Learn more about mixology from award-winning bartenders Lynnette Marrero and Ryan Chetiyawardana. Refine your palate, explore the world of spirits, and shake up the perfect cocktail for your next gathering with the MasterClass Annual Membership.