By Curiously Thirsty
Tequila will be part of many Cinco de Mayo celebrations. The nectar extracted from the blue agave plant is often enjoyed as a shot, or part of a cocktail, including one of my favorites ⎯ the margarita.
Founded by Franciscan monks in 1530, the city of Tequila is in the Jaliscan Highlands of Mexico, and it is the home of the distilled beverage. In the pre-Columbian era, the locals near Tequila had enjoyed a fermented beverage derived from the agave plant. The drink was popular until it was displaced by beer in the 19th century. The legacy of the agave beverage is still preserved by the European distillation methods introduced by the Spanish.
Starting in 1600, the mass production of the distilled spirits began at Tequila. Soon in 1608, King Carlos IV of Spain granted the local governor the license to commercially produce the drink. And 266 years later, the Mexican government officially nationalized the name “tequila” in 1974.
Tequila comes in many forms. The silver tequila, also known as Blanco, is made with no, or very little, aging. The resulting taste profile highlights the skill of the distiller, and the agave used; there is no oak to mitigate it. It’s often enjoyed in a cocktail or a shot.
As you age tequila, usually in oak barrels, the flavor of the wood gets absorbed. As the alcohol ages, the color and flavor from the oak get imparted into the tequila. Reposado is tequila that is aged two months to a year, and Anejo is aged past one year. A well-aged tequila, which has picked up the flavors of the oak, is often with a golden hue and a taste profile similar to a fine whiskey, along with the unique fruity aroma from the agave plant.
Most of us often have our first experience with tequila as a component in popular cocktails, like a Long Island iced tea, or on a warm day at the beach or pool, in a margarita. For the connoisseurs of Anejo tequila, the drink is best enjoyed straight, optionally with lime and salt.
If you are a fan of whiskey and have not tried Anejo tequila, you will be pleasantly surprised. When a good tequila is aged in oak barrels for a few years, the result is often smooth and fruity, reminiscent of good scotch, but with distinct tequila flavors. A good starting point for experimenting for Costco members is the Kirkland Signature Anejo tequila. You will find it creamy, and it’ll remind you of tropical fruits, which pairs well with most desserts.
If you are in the party mood, celebrate with the spirit of agave with the following margarita recipe. Say a cheer to the Aztec civilization who first recognized the potential of agave for making this Cinco de Mayo cocktail.
Ingredients:
2 ounces Blanco tequila
½ ounce orange liqueur
1 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
½ ounce agave syrup
Garnish: lime wheel
Garnish: kosher salt (optional)
Steps:
- Add tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and agave syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice, and shake until well chilled.
- Strain into a glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with a lime wheel and kosher salt (optional).