Unlike some wines, with their complex classification systems, tequila is simply categorised by age as follows: Blanco Other simple serves include grapefruit soda for a ready-made paloma or tomato juice for a breakfast bloody Maria. A pinch of salt—just a pinch is enough to add some “mineraly” depth to an otherwise very sweet drink Our panel – made up of 10-accredited spirits experts and tequila-loving consumers – put 27 blanco, reposado and anejo tequilas to the test.

But don’t worry, if you’re not having a party, you can easy save leftovers in a mason jar in your fridge to enjoy later! Tequila blanco (or silver as it’s sometimes called) is clear in colour and unaged. As such you can expect a fresh, agave, citrus-spiked flavour. ReposadoAs a bartender, I have seen countless customers come in looking for a drink that will transport them to a tropical paradise. This category is aged for at least a year, but less than three, and is where you’ll really start to notice the influence of the barrel. Producers use everything from ex-bourbon to red wine or Scotch whisky casks to add subtle layers of caramel, toffee and oak on top of the fresh and peppery agave base. Tequila is made exclusively from the blue agave plant, grown primarily in the area surrounding the city of — you guessed it — Tequila, in the western state of Jalisco, Mexico. Here’s a drink that’s creamy, cool, refreshing and an absolute must for any margarita lover: this Coconut Margarita recipe! After trying 30+ margarita variations, this one rose to the top because it’s not like any other margarita variation you’ve tried! Coconut pairs perfectly with the zing of lime and bite of tequila. The best part? The toasted coconut drink rim gives you a crunchy, tropical infusion to each sip. We love all our margarita recipes, but this one…this one is special. Ingredients in a coconut margarita Each was tried neat and blind, to avoid brand bias, allowing the full flavours — fresh citrus to warming oak — to shine through. They were on the lookout for smooth, easy-drinking styles, with well-balanced sweetness and added complexity.

And what better way to do that than with the sweet, creamy flavor of coconut? But when you add tequila to the mix, you've got a whole new level of deliciousness. There’s also the relatively new ‘extra-anejo’ category (introduced in 2006) for the tequila connoisseurs out there. Aged for three years plus, we don’t see so much of it here in the UK. What's the difference between tequila and mezcal? You can save your coconut margarita if you buy the wrong one. Here’s what to do: Use ½ ounce coconut cream and ½ ounce simple syrupin place of the 1 ounces cream of coconut. How to make a toasted coconut rim! You can also make it ahead of time and keep the drinks refrigerated without ice in mason jars . Simply make it in advance, then bring it along to a party, picnic, pool party, holiday party, etc.! Please note: I tend to make my drinks pretty strong, but I try to be conscious of that when I write my recipes. That said, follow the recipe, and give it a sip. If you think this is too strong for your taste, put some ice in the blender and blend again. Remember, you’ll also be serving it over a lot of ice which will dilute into your margs overtime as well. How to garnish coconut margaritas:

The best tequilas are made with 100% agave, but the legal minimum is just 51%, with the rest allowed to be made up by a neutral spirit. Let’s be honest, slamming a tequila from time to time is still fun, but the best-tasting, smoothest examples shouldn’t be smothered with salt and lime.

If you wanted to label it like we do beer, tequila is your commercial lager and mezcal is your craft beer. How to drink tequila in 2023 The most important thing about this coconut margarita is making sure to buy the right coconut product. Buy cream of coconut, not coconut cream!A good rule of thumb? Opt for the squeeze bottle, not the can. Here’s more about what to know: We recruited a panel of 10 testers, made up of WSET-trained experts and tequila fans, to give their thoughts on 40 blanco, reposado and añejo tequilas. Each was tried neat and then followed by some water to dilute and soften the alcohol, bringing out the more nuanced flavours. The best part of this coconut margarita recipe? The toasted coconut rim! Drink rims are not just fun visually: they add a textural element and pop of flavor to each sip. Here’s what to know about making this tropical drink rim:

Sonja & Alex

Blanco or silver — call it what you will — but this is your entry-level tequila. If you insist on slamming, this is generally what you’ll want to do it with. Diamond-clear and un-aged, the best examples are fresh and zippy with a citrus spike. Some cheaper bottles will burn, but we’ve bypassed those for small-batch tequilas that are silky smooth. Reposado

Dip the rim in cream of coconut, then a plate of toasted coconut. You’ll just want the outer edge of the glass to be covered. It takes a little time, but it’s worth it for the flavor!What you’re going to do is toss all of the ingredients except the ice into your blender, and blend until smooth.