For those of you who have already had the privilege of tasting the delicious beverage that is tequila, you’ll know that the flavor notes are truly like no other. Tequila has a highly unique taste that’s difficult to describe without trying it yourself, but we’ll try nonetheless.

If you’ve found yourself asking, what exactly does tequila taste like? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many people haven’t yet had the pleasure of trying this beverage. But, this is where we come in.

We’ve compiled this handy guide that tells you everything you need to know about tequila. So, if you’re curious, simply keep reading, as we take a closer look below.

What Is Tequila?

Now, before we jump straight in and take a closer look at the flavor notes displayed by this beverage, first, let’s cover what exactly tequila is. In order to do this, we’ll need to take a closer look at how the beverage itself is made.

Many of you might be curious as to why tequila is produced solely in Mexico, unlike other liquors that are made the world over. Well, the answer is very simple, Mexico harbors a plant, called the weber blue agave, that is native to the region and can’t be found elsewhere.

It is from this unusual plant, which appears to look very much like aloe vera, that tequila is made.

Before tequila is made, this plant needs to grow to its full potential, in order to get the most out of it. This can take anywhere up to ten years!

After the plant has been fully developed, the leaves surrounding the ‘pina’, which is the bulbous fruit found in the middle, will be taken away. The pina will then be baked in a large oven which causes it to release its sugary flavor.

The fruit will then be pressed to release all of its juices, which are responsible for giving us what we call tequila. This juice is fermented for an extended period of time, and is sometimes placed in a barrel for further aging depending on the specific variety of tequila.

In order for a beverage to be fully classified as tequila, it needs to be made up of at least 51 percent agave plant. As well as this, it can have no more than 49 percent sugar in the mix. Finally, it must be at least 40 percent ABV in order to be considered tequila.

What Does Tequila Taste Like?

Now that we’ve taken a closer look at how tequila is produced, we can move on to discuss what the beverage tastes like. As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, it can be difficult to describe tequila if you’ve never tried it before.

Furthermore, there are several different types of tequila on the market, each of which boast their own unique flavor palette.

If you’re looking for a classic tequila to try, then we’d recommend tasting the ‘Blanco’ variety. Joven tequila is known for its versatility, and boasts that classic earthy taste.

Along with its earthy flavor, Blanco tequila also has a slightly sweet edge that’s not too overpowering, and is also considered to be a primary feature of the beverage.

Another popular type of tequila that you’ll find ubiquitously on the market is ‘Joven’ tequila. Joven is very different from Blanco, and if you have the pleasure of trying both, you’ll notice the alteration in taste.

This is because Joven has an overall more ‘golden’ taste than Blanco, and this is due to the addition of caramel into the mixture during production.

Reposado tequila, which you may have also heard of, has a distinctive flavor of its own. Unlike Joven, or even Blanco, it doesn’t have the same sweetness as these other varieties.

If you’re looking for something that’s far richer, and more oaky in taste, then we’d recommend trying this one. It makes a great mixer to most tequila based cocktails too.

What To Mix With Tequila

So, you’ve decided to take the plunge and purchase a bottle of tequila to try, if so, congratulations, you’re in for a treat! But, you might be wondering how you’re actually supposed to drink it, apart from straight with a dash of water or a few ice cubes.

There are several different ways to enjoy tequila, one of the most popular being mixing it with orange juice. This is what is known as a tequila sunrise. You can also add some grenadine syrup to the mix, in order to make the beverage even sweeter, if you desire.

Another great mixing option for tequila is tomato juice. Many people might be surprised with this one, as tomato juice is typically mixed with vodka rather than tequila, but the latter makes a great option too. Add in some hot sauce for a little added kick.

Another great choice for mixing your tequila is vermouth (see our guide on vermouth for more information). Vermouth is well known for its delicious, earthy botanical flavors, that really bring these flavors out in your tequila. You can mix these together along with a little added olive juice in order to create your very own dirty martini.

Finally, you can also create a classic margarita by mixing your tequila with orange liqueur and lime juice. This will help you to create this classic cocktail.

Final Thoughts

To sum up, there are three distinctive types of tequila on the market, all of which boast a different flavor. Blanco is known for having a classic earthy taste, while Joven, on the other hand, has a far sweeter, caramel-like flavor.

Reposado is far oakier than both other varieties in taste, and is the richest of all three.