Best Tequila Gift
Best Tequila Gift - We may earn commissions from links on this page, but we only recommend products that we return. Did you know that tequila is technically a type of mezcal? Or that it is an incredibly versatile idea? While classic margaritas are objectively delicious, there is a whole world of tequila-based cocktails, from colorful tequila sunrises to fizzy palomas.
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Best Tequila Gift
And the stuff on the top shelf is fantastic served neat or on the rocks. You want to choose a bottle at the liquor store that fits your drinking plan, and don't be intimidated by the number of options out there. We've rounded up some of the best and most popular tequila brands—including some of our editor's favorites.
But first, here's everything you need to know about tequila before you buy. Good question! Tequila begins its life as an agave plant. The Jimador - the expert farmer who grows and harvests the agave plant - selects the agave kernel, the piña, and cooks it in an industrial oven.
Then it is shredded, fermented and distilled in copper pots. Depending on the brand, flavor can then be added to the finished product. It can also go into giant oak barrels to age anywhere between two months and several years - leading to a smoother, less bitter taste.
What Is The Smoothest Tequila?
Agave plants have only one piña, and the plants take about seven years to mature. Consequently, making tequila can be a very difficult and time-consuming business. The difference is all in the aging process. Blanco (sometimes called "silver") is unaged tequila, and it's usually bottled shortly after it's distilled.
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As the name suggests, tequila blanco is the lighter color and goes well in mixed drinks or as a complement to traditional Mexican recipes. Most tequilas blancos have a recognizable citrus flavor, which can add a zing to any drink or dish. Reposado tequilas are aged for two months to a year before being bottled, typically resting in oak barrels.
As a result, they have a golden tone. Añejo (which means "old" in Spanish) is aged for at least one year, but less than three years. It has a golden or light brown color compared to blanco or reposado tequilas. This longer aging process gives it a more complex flavor, which can be better appreciated when drunk alone than when mixed into a cocktail.
It tends to have the sweetest flavor out of all the others, with a distinct oak-y flavor. Tequila-centric recipes are not just for cocktails. The spirit is also handy in the kitchen. Unaged tequila blanco gives a light, fresh, citrus-forward taste, so it goes well with dishes that are nevertheless light and citrus-y, like this easy shrimp ceviche or these tequila-site chicken tacos.
What Are The Different Types Of Tequila?
This Jose Cuervo Especial Silver is a great competitor, like its gold counterpart. Tequila reposado, with its classic notes of vanilla, coconut and honey, works best in neutral dishes that need an extra kick. It is a fit for spicy, fruit or veggie-themed dishes, such as a fiery salsa borracha or in a simple citrus vinaigrette to drape over this watermelon Caprese salad.
You can also try it in tequila and mustard glazed chicken skewers. Finally, tequila añejo or extra añejo (that's extra aged!) has dark, oaky aromas from the long stay in oak barrels. The strong, sweet vanilla undertones play well in heavy sauces and marinades that are even slightly sweet.
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Toss it in dishes like honey barbecue wings or penne alla vodka (yes, you can make this with tequila!). You can even use Don Julio Añejo in tequila-infused caramel corn. We scoured the web, talked to experts, and tasted dozens of bottles to create a comprehensive list of the best tequilas for every budget and occasion.
We also consider price, distillation process, aging time, added flavor and smoothness. Let's dive into 22 of our favorite tequilas of all time, and see what our editors had to say about some of them! (Psst: Want something besides tequila? These are the best vodkas and whiskeys you can buy.) With hints of vanilla and citrus mixed with the distinct taste of sweet agave, this tequila packs a punch without a lingering aftertaste.
Get Cooking!
According to reviews, it even tastes better the longer it sits. "I can be very useful on this! My father drops Herradura Blanco right," said Sarah Ceniceros Gomez, the former designer of the Delish. "We are Mexican and this is his favorite." If you don't care about how the bottle looks as much as you care about what's inside, AsomBroso Eros is for you.
This display bottle will be the centerpiece of your bar cart. At our tasting, Delish staff immediately gravitated to this bottle for its beautiful floral pattern and slightly, ahem, NSFW shape. And when we tasted it, we were surprised. The tequila takes on a warm, caramel-like flavor from the oak barrel for a luxurious sip.
One of our editors said: "So smooth - no plaster needed." Grab Eros so you can enjoy the tequila, then reuse the bottle as a flower vase. Don Julio 70 Cristalino provides incredibly smooth and flavorful snacks, with no burning or aftertaste. Perfect for sipping neat, its fresh, citrus aroma complements a dry agave and caramel flavor with a subtly peppery finish.
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Only downside? It is a bit expensive. "My roommate is from Guadalajara, also the state where Tequila comes from, and he likes Don Julio 70," Ceniceros Gomez added. Izabela Campos, Delish's assistant editor for social media, agrees that this drink is a winner. "Don Julio 70 is certainly very smooth to drink alone."
Our Top Picks
If you're new to tequila and don't know where to start, Olmeca Altos is a great introductory brand. Tequila Plata perfectly captures what a blanco should taste like: bright, citrusy and refreshing. It is especially good for novice tequila enthusiasts because of its smoothness. One of our editors noted that it is "smooth and very easy to drink."
And an added plus: the low price point makes it a low-commitment way to experience the spirit. One of the more luxurious tequilas on this list, Don Julio 1942 sports a steep price tag, making it a great option for special occasions. It is aged for a minimum of two and a half years in American white oak barrels and is the best choice for the tequila connoisseur in your life.
Oh yeah, and the Kardashians love it. Volcan De Mi Tierra is made by Moët Hennessy, so you know it's fancy. This premium tequila contains a blend of reposado, añejo, and extra añejo tequila. Mixing is a common practice with whiskey, but not with tequila - but its influence on the taste is enormous.
Volcan's X.A Tequila has a deeply aromatic aroma and a smooth, long-lasting finish. One of our editors describes the taste as "warm, floral and smooth." It's an incredible gift for the tequila enthusiast in your life—and the bottle is beautiful. 21Seeds is a relative newcomer to the tequila industry.
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