Mixed Tequila Drinks, Frozen Drinks

Tequila, a colorless liqueur created by fermenting and distilling the sweet sap of the blue agave cactus plant, offers an enjoyable selection of tequila drinks. A desirable addition to any liquor cabinet, tequila offers an endless variety of tequila drink recipes, some of which depend on the imagination of the bartender. Though it is most commonly consumed straight, this intoxicating liqueur is a common ingredient in numerous tequila drinks.

Types of Tequila

As a result of the aging process, tequila is available in various colors. Caramel may be added to display a darker color, thus depicting a longer aging process. Also, because tequila is typically bottled in one of four categories, consumers have various options to choose from when deciding which type of tequila to use in their favorite mixed drink.

Blanco (white)
Aged less than two months, Blanco tequila is the sharpest type of tequila. It tastes best when mixed with other strong flavors, such as lime or lemon, and is commonly used in various types of tequila drinks, some of which include margaritas and mojitos. However, as a result of its brightness, Blanco tequila also is suitable for sweet, fruity mixed drinks. 

Reposado (rested)
Reposado tequila, which is aged at least two to 12 months in oak barrels, offers a smooth and complex flavor, as well as an attractive golden coloring. Because of its gentle feel and inexpensive price tag, Reposado tequila is ideal for anyone trying a tequila drink for the first time. One of the most common tequila drinks made with this form of tequila is Reposado on the rocks with a twist of lime.

Anejo (aged)
Aged for one to three years, Anejo tequila offers a mellow, buttery flavor and typically is considered to be the finest tequila. With a high price tag to suit its prestige, this form of tequila is ideal for sipping and tastes best when it is undiluted by ice or any mixer.

Joven Abocado (young and smoothed)
With added flavoring and coloring, Joven Abocado tequila mimics the look and taste of aged tequila at a lower cost. This un-aged tequila, which typically has caramel added for both color and smoothness, is ideal for adding an unusual twist to a classic mixed drink. With exciting flavor, Joven Abocado tequila is a popular choice for those who typically opt for flavored vodkas.

Tequila Brands and Recipes

Those who love tequila drinks can enjoy a variety of tequila brands, including Casco Viejo, Sauza Tequila, Corazon, Cabo Wabo, Jose Cuervo, Don Julio, Tequila Rose, 1800 Tequila, Herradura Tequila, Tequila Corralejo, Milagro Tequila and Tequila Cazadores.

Listed below are some common tequila drink recipes for a couple popular brands of the intoxicating liqueur.

Tequila Rose
Tequila Rose, a Mexican cream liqueur, offers a tasty mixture of strawberry cream liqueur and tequila, which gives it a similar taste to a strawberry milkshake.

Listed below are some common Tequila Rose shot-drink recipes:

Cherry Popper
Ingredients:

• ½ oz. Irish Cream
• ½ oz. Tequila Rose

Directions:

• Pour Irish cream and tequila rose in a shot glass and serve

Cinnamon Rose
Ingredients:

• 1 oz. cinnamon schnapps
• 1 oz. tequila rose

Directions:

• Pour ingredients into a stainless steel shaker with ice
• Shake until completely cold
• Strain into an old-fashioned glass and serve

Jose Cuervo 1800 Tequila
Made from 100 percent blue agave and aged in French oak barrels, Jose Cuervo 1800 Tequila is a common ingredient in various tequila drinks, some of which are listed below.

Perfect Margarita
Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Jose Cuervo 1800 tequila
• ½ oz. Jose Cuervo white tequila
• 1 ¼ oz. Rose’s lime juice
• ½ oz. Bols triple sec
• 1 splash Bols Orange Curacao liqueur

Directions:

• Pour ingredients into a shaker with crushed ice
• Squeeze in the juice of two lime wedges
• Shake well
• Rim the outside of a white wine glass with lime and salt
• Add fresh crushed ice
• Strain the mixture into the glass
• Add the juice from another lime wedge and serve

6-Shooter
Ingredients:

• 1/3 oz. Kahlua coffee liqueur
• 1/3 oz. butterscotch schnapps
• 1/3 oz. amaretto almond liqueur
• 1/3 oz. Jose Cuervo 1800 tequila
• 1/3 oz. Goldschlager cinnamon schnapps
• 1/3 oz. Bailey’s Irish cream

Directions:

• Mix ingredients in a double-shot glass and serve

Other Common Tequila Drinks

Classic Margarita
Ingredients:

• 6 oz. tequila
• 2 oz. Cointreau or triple sec
• 4 oz. fresh lime juice

Directions:

• Rub a lime wedge around the rim of a cocktail glass
• Dip the rim in coarse salt
• Pour ingredients into a shaker with ice
• Shake vigorously and serve

Tequila Sunrise
Ingredients:

• 1 oz. tequila
• ½ oz. grenadine
• Orange juice

Directions:

• Fill a Collin’s glass with ice
• Add tequila
• Fill to the top with orange juice
• Add grenadine on the top

Sources:
“Beyond Tequila:  Other Agave Options.”  Tequila:  Agave liqueurs and spirits.  21 Nov 2006.
    http://www.ianchadwick.com/tequila/mexdrinks.html< br />“Learn the Types of Tequila and Get Great Tequila Drink Recipes.”  Great Party Recipes.
    21 Nov 2006.  http://www.greatpartyrecipes.com/types-of-tequila. html
“Leibowitz, Wanda.  “An Overview and Shopping Guide for the Different Types of Tequila.”
    25 Aug 2006.  Associated Content.  21 Nov 2006.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/52989/a n_overview_and_shopping_guide_for.html
“Tequila.”  Mexican Adventures.  21 Nov 2006.
    http://www.wild-net.com.au/mexico/html/tequila.pht ml
“Tequila.”  Wikipedia.  21 Nov 2006.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tequila
 “Tequila Rose Cream Liqueur shot-drink recipes,” “Jose Cuervo 1800 Tequila.”  Drinks Mixer. 
21 Nov 2006.
http://www.drinksmixer.com/cat/4605/
http://www.drinksmixer.com/desc572.html