This strong spirit originated in a small city of Tequila and was modeled on mezcal. The highly prized, original tequila varieties are made exclusively from fermented juices of blue Weber agaves, while other categories - known as mixto - must be distilled from a base that includes at least 51% of blue agave juices.
Officially, tequila must be made in a designated region of Mexico. If aged, tequila is usually kept in oak barrels, and the process has considerable influence on the final fragrance and flavor. As the maturation period lengthens, tequila takes on spicy notes but becomes more mellow and elegant.
Before bottling, it is usually cut with water, and in most varieties, the alcohol content does not exceed 40%. Basic unmatured tequila categories are Silver and Gold, while matured include Rested, Aged, and Ultra-Aged. Read more
Tequila was greatly popularized with the invention of Margarita—the most popular tequila-based cocktail—in the 1940s. However, its popularity soared when it was promoted as a youth drink, which was served as a shot, typically accompanied by salt and lemon or lime wedges.
Recently, high-quality, 100% agave tequila varieties have seen an increase in production and sales, and are promoted as an exceptional sipping drink.
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