Tequila 101: Everything You Need to Know

Welcome to Tequila 101, where you’ll everything you need to know about this Mexican treasure from its strict production rules to tips on selecting the perfect bottle. Love it or hate it, you can’t deny the pull of this Mexican tradition. Whether you’re a pro sipper or a curious newcomer, understanding this agave spirit can deepen your appreciation for this iconic spirit.

Tequila with salt and lime on a white wooden background. Fruits. Top view. Free space for your text.

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Everything you need to know about tequila

Welcome to Tequila 101! Tequila is many people’s favorite spirit for cocktails, and for good reason. It’s clean, crisp and easy to love, yet has layers of flavor that vary widely from bottle to bottle. And it’s delicious in margaritas, of course! But if you’re new to the world of agave spirits, it can be challenging to know where to start.

Today, I’m sharing a tequila guide for all your cocktail-making so you can be more informed about what bottle to buy. These guides are designed to teach you about spirits, so you can know more about what you’re putting into your drinks and feel more confident choosing the right tequila.

If you left your shot glasses behind at your college apartment, you might be interested to know that tequila is also fabulous for sipping, either neat or on the rocks. Tequila can be, dare I suggest, a mellow experience! Now, get out the salt and the lime wedges. Let’s toast to this delicious spirit!

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Tequila landscape agave field in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.

What is tequila?

Many people think mezcal is a type of tequila, but it’s actually the other way around! Tequila is a type of mezcal, an agave-based spirit.

Agaves are a large (and often ornamental succulent) chiefly found in Mexico and desert climates. They can grow up to 7 feet tall! Tequila is made specifically from fermenting hearts of the Weber Blue Agave, which is often called simply “the blue agave.”

Like champagne — a sparkling wine given its name only when it comes from the Champagne region of France, — Mexican law dictates that a mezcal can only be given the name “tequila” only if it comes from in or near the Mexican town of Tequila. Jalisco is the main region of Mexico where tequila is produced.

History of tequila

Tequila’s rich history dates back to the Aztecs around 300 A.D. — long before Europeans arrived. They fermented a milky, sap-like drink called pulque from the agave plant. It was a sacred beverage they used in religious rituals and was believed to be a gift from the gods.

In the 16th century, Spanish conquistadors drank all of their own brandy so they began distilling agave to create a stronger, more refined spirit — laying the foundation for what would become modern tequila.

By the 17th century, Spanish settlers had established the first official distilleries in what is now Jalisco, Mexico, refining production techniques and expanding trade. In the 18th and 19th centuries, tequila gained popularity both locally and internationally, with renowned families like the Cuervos and Sauzas pioneering large-scale production.

Today, tequila remains deeply tied to Mexican heritage, protected by strict regulations to ensure authenticity and maintain its centuries-old traditions. There are now more than 2,000 tequila labels that come from about 200 distilleries.

blue agave pinas

Mezcal vs. tequila

Tequila is, in fact, a type of mezcal. It’s similar to how Scotch and bourbon are types of whiskey. Mezcal can be made with more than 40 types of agave plants, even a blend of two different varieties of agave.

To be called tequila, it must be made from a specific variety of agave, the agave tequilana AKA the Weber blue agave plant. But that’s just one quality that determines tequila. Mezcal produced outside of the Jalisco region cannot be called tequila. Also, the ratio of agave is different for tequila. Tequila is made with 50% agave, whereas a true mezcal is made with 100% agave.

The process for making tequila is slightly different than mezcal. For tequila, the piña — or the hearts of the blue Weber agave plant that look like pineapples when the leaves are cut off — are steamed in ovens above ground, giving it a crisp and clean flavor.

Mezcal is produced in deep, stone fire pits underground filled with wood and charcoal, giving it its signature smoky flavor. As such, tequila can be made in larger, commercial batches, whereas mezcal tends to be made in small batches.

Try the difference for yourself and order a mezcal margarita when you see one on a menu. You might just like the smokiness!

closeup of a lime garnish on a cadillac margarita.

Different types of tequila

The bottles come in several aging categories. Each of these is denoted on the label itself. Mixto is a term used for tequilas that aren’t 100% agave, but a mixture of agave and cane sugars. Most of the common lower-shelf brands are mixto tequila, so look for 100% agave on the label.

  • Blanco tequila: Also called silver tequila, blanco tequila is the most common type of tequila, and it’s often used for mixed drinks, like margaritas and palomas. Clear and colorless, it is unaged (or aged up to 59 days) and stored in stainless steel tanks while it rests.
  • Joven abocado tequila: AKA gold tequila, this one is also unaged (joven means “young,” but with added caramel color and flavoring to make the spirit appear aged. Gold tequilas are usually mixto. 
  • Reposado tequila: This one gets its name from the word for “rested” in Spanish because it is aged in oak barrels for a minimum of two months and up to one year. The aging process gives it some of the oak’s coloration and flavor, though additional coloring and flavoring are sometimes added. It is used for mixing and sipping. Try it in the sophisticated Cadillac margarita.
  • Añejo tequila: Añejo is a premium tequila that has been aged for a year or longer, getting its name from the word for “aged” in Spanish. With the complexity of a fine cognac, it is meant to be sipped straight. It’s also great in a spirit-forward cocktail like a tequila old-fashioned.
  • Extra añejo tequila: This tequila has been aged for longer three years. Like añejo, it is also meant for sipping only, but it is smoother and richer.
Two margarita glasses with lime wedges on top.

What tequila tastes like

Tequila has layers of many flavors. Though mezcal is known for its smoky flavor, tequila isn’t smoky because of its modern production that gives it a cleaner flavor. There are many different layers present in the different styles and brands of these agave spirits!

Sometimes, it has floral, fruity or earthy flavor notes. It can taste like citrus, herbs, pepper and spices. Agave has a lightly sweet flavor (think agave nectar), so it can also have notes of smooth chocolate or vanilla.

You can also infuse tequila with fresh ingredients to make your own flavor combinations. This spicy jalapeño-infused tequila recipe is a favorite!

A mojito with lime slices and mint leaves on a checkered cloth. Nearby are a cocktail shaker, lime, mint leaves, a jigger, and a cocktail strainer.

How to sip tequila

Sipping straight tequila is similar to sipping whiskey. Smell it twice before taking a sip, fully inhaling and exhaling each time with your lips parted. Then, take a small sip to help prepare your palate before a bigger sip. This is a great way to enjoy a flight of different tequilas to sample all the flavors and resting times.

You can drink tequila neat (no ice), on the rocks (with ice), frozen (blended with ice, as in frozen margaritas) or you can take it as a shot.

How to drink tequila shots

If you want to try tequila shots, this American tradition is a multi-step process:

  1. First, cut a lime into wedges and set it nearby.
  2. Pour tequila into shot glasses.
  3. Just before taking the shot, lick the back of your hand and sprinkle some salt on top. Lick off the salt.
  4. Then knock back the tequila (in one sip if you can)!
  5. Finally, suck the juice from a lime slice. The citrus helps to quell the spiciness of the tequila.
  6. For the extra mile, sip on a chaser like sangrita to finish things off.
Two glasses of pink Paloma cocktails with salted rims, garnished with grapefruit slices and mint leaves, on a white surface with a lime slice nearby.

The best tequila brands

There are many tequila distillers these days — around 200 of them make the 2,000+ labels on the shelves. Some popular brands include:

  • Milagro
  • Patron
  • El Jimador
  • Jose Cuervo
  • Espolon
  • Gran Centenario
  • Lunazul
  • Olmeca Altos
  • Sauza
  • Don Julio
  • 1800
  • Tres Agaves

My personal top choices are Patron or Casamigos for a top-shelf bottle. El Jimador, Lunazul, Espolon and Olmeca Altos are my favorite budget buys.

For drinks that call for a reposado tequila, spring for a mid- or top-shelf one, such as Don Julio, Patron or Milagro.

Non-alcoholic tequila

There’s even such a thing as non-alcoholic tequila! It’s a great booze-free swap for making zero-proof cocktails like a virgin margarita.

Two of my favorites are Ritual tequila alternative and Seedlip Grove 42. You can also make your own with fresh ingredients.

A strawberry margarita with a salted rim, garnished with lime slices, served in a tall gold glass, surrounded by fresh limes and strawberries.

Tequila tips

This is Tequila 101, and now you know everything you need to know about tequila! Here are some basic tips to help you get started choosing a bottle.

Pay attention to the shelf. You’ve heard of top-shelf tequila — these are the more sophisticated, expensive bottles. There’s also the cheaper bottom-shelf tequila, which can taste more cloying, have added food coloring and are often mixta. While there are perks of both, it’s better to start with something in the mid-range.

Take it slow. Reposado and añejo tequilas are amazing, but to appreciate them, it’s best to work your way up. Start by enjoying blanco tequila, as its clean and crisp flavor is perfect for mixing. When you’re ready to experiment with flavor or want to move on to sipping it straight, then explore the aged bottles.

Start small! Literally. My favorite way to try new brands is to get mini bottles from the liquor store. One 50ml bottle is generally enough for one drink, so you don’t have to commit to a whole bottle just yet.

Get nerdy! While there are more than 2,000 tequilas on the market, they are produced by just around 200 distilleries in the Jalisco region, so each distillery can produce multiple tequila brands. If you’re curious, you can look at the label for the Norma Oficial Mexicana, also known as the NOM, to learn which producer made the tequila. The Tequila Matchmaker has a NOM lookup you can use if you want to study them!

Upgrade your gear. Once you’ve become a true tequila experto, you can build out your home bar with some fun accessories. Don’t miss our favorite gifts for tequila lovers!

Two turquoise margaritas on a white background.

Tequila drink recipes

Tequila is beloved in the margarita, of course, which you can enjoy with just the traditional lime margarita mix or its many variations like a vibrant blue margarita, a sweet strawberry margarita or an orange Texas Margarita.

But whether it’s Cinco de Mayo or National Tequila Day (July 24), taco night or a regular night, tequila can do so much more than just a margarita. Try it in a fruity tequila sunrise, a savory Bloody Maria or Michelada, a refreshing ranch water or a Juan Collins — a tequila spin on the Tom Collins.

You can of course sip it straight or enjoy regular tequila shots. But why not mix it up with cocktails like the Oaxaca old-fashioned or shaken shots like the Mexican candy shot? Or even margarita jello shots!

You can also cook with tequila! Try it in margarita bars or margarita cupcakes.

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Comments

    • Susannah says

      Thanks Lauren! I haven’t tried that one but I am adding it to my list. Thank you so much for stopping by to read + comment. Means so much.

  1. Linda | Brunch with Joy says

    I’m not a fan of tequila..it’s too strong for me; however this post makes me feel like an expert already 🙂

    • Susannah says

      I totally get that, Linda! It can be too strong for me too sometimes. Maybe you just need to find the right cocktail for you! Glad my post might be able to help change your mind. Thanks as always for stopping by!

    • Susannah says

      Then perhaps you need a grown-up tequila sip! It can be enjoyed by people of all ages (well, over 21 in this country). I’m so glad you found me through The Blog Loft! It’s great to connect with you and I really appreciate your comment.

    • Susannah says

      One of mine too! I can’t say that the stuff I drank back in college was the good stuff though! Thanks so much for your comment, Erika!

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