When you think of tequila, most people typically think "margarita" and there's nothing wrong with that! It would be totally acceptable to celebrate National Tequila Day with a margarita. The classic/traditional margarita really lets the tequila shine when all that you're adding is fresh lime juice and orange flavored liqueur. If a margarita is your jam, you might want to click here and check out some of my favorite margarita recipes. Aside from being the key ingredient in margaritas, there's a lot more to learn about tequila!
There are two categories of tequilas--mixtos and 100% agave. Mixtos contain at least 51% agave along with other sugars. 100% agave is exactly what it implies--it's made from 100% agave. There are actually several different types of tequila and partially vary by their aging process. Silver Tequila (also known as Blanco) is the youngest of the tequilas and is usually only aged for a few weeks. It's made from 100% blue agave. Joven (young) Tequila, like the popular Jose Quervo Gold, is golden in color. Reposado (rested) Tequila is aged in wood casks anywhere from 2 months to a year. Anejo (aged) Tequila rests for at least a year in oak barrels. And Extra Anejo Tequilas have usually aged for more than 3 years. Let'sEatCake.com gives a really good breakdown of the types of tequila and the best ways to enjoy them in this article. CNN.com has also put together some fun facts about Ttequila, including what it has in common with Champagne. Check it out here.
When you are pairing or preparing food with tequila,there are some things to consider. Whether you're having chicken, steak, or seafood, fresh lime in the marinade or sauce will provide compliment to any tequila based cocktail, especially a margarita. And it you're wanting to pair different tequilas for a mulit-course meal, PatronTequila.com has some good insight on the type of tequlia you should pair with each course. When cooking with tequila there are many different ways to use it. You can let it infuse over time with fresh fruits or jalapenos to use in sauces, salsas, or cocktails. You can add it directly to sauces, dressings, or marinades for an extra kick. If you are using a red meat in your dish, consider using an Anejo for an added smoky flavor. And any dessert is better when it's boozy. Just saying. Here are 7 different recipes featuring Tequila from Food and Wine.
Whether you sip it, shoot it, chill it, blend it, or cook with it, there are plenty of ways for you to celebrate National Tequila Day!
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