Ever sip on a margarita and wonder, what is tequila made from? We break down what you need to know about Mexico's most famous spirit.
In a cocktail, as a shooter or as a spirit to sip on, tequila in all its forms remains super popular. It’s not hard to find a good tequila, either. But there’s more to tequila than meets the eye. You might be surprised to learn how tequila is made and what types of tequila you can buy.
Tequila is a type of mezcal, a spirit produced from agave. Unlike mezcal, which can be made from a number of different agave varieties, tequila is only made with Weber’s blue agave or agave tequilana. Confused? It’s kind of like how all scotch is whiskey but not all whiskey is scotch.
The blue agave thrives in Mexico, in the highlands of Jalisco. It takes over seven years to reach maturity! Once mature, agave farmers (called jimadors) harvest the large succulents by removing the leaves and exposing the hearts (or piñas) which are sent off to a distillery.
How Is Tequila Made?
The process starts as the piñas bake in special ovens. This converts all the starch in the piñas into sugar—a must for fermenting into alcohol. The next step is shredding and pressing the piñas, releasing all the sugars. Many producers add yeast to kick off fermentation, though some allow native wild yeasts to get things going. This juice ferments for up to four days before being distilled to reach the minimum alcohol content required by law. From here, the tequila is either bottled or aged.
Tequila can only be produced in five states in Mexico: Jalisco, Michoacan, Nayarit, Guanajuato and Tamaulipas. Most tequila is made in Jalisco, where the sandy soil is ideal for growing blue agave. (It’s also where you’ll find the town of Tequila.)
Tequila Styles 101
There are several different styles of tequila to know. Below you’ll find the main types of tequila and the best way to enjoy them:
Blanco: If you’re mixing up a few tequila cocktails, blanco is your best bet. This is the youngest tequila style, which can be bottled immediately after distillation or rested for a maximum of two months. Doing a shot of tequila? Blanco is the way to go. They’re great for cooking with, too.
Joven: Joven is a mix of unaged tequilas (or occasionally aged and unaged). It’s made in the same way as blanco and gets its pretty golden hue from coloring. It’s inexpensive and is a winner in cocktails.
Reposado: Reposado and other tequilas that see aging are darker in color than their blanco and joven counterparts. They also have a richer flavor thanks to time spent in barrels. Tequila must age for at least two months to meet the requirements for reposado.
Añejo: Añejo is the next step up, with the spirit needing a year of aging to qualify for the classification. It usually spends between one and three years in barrel. This is a sipper, not a shooter, and makes a fantastic introduction to high-end tequila.
Extra Añejo: Like añejo, extra añejo is a sipping tequila, the same way you’d enjoy a glass of whiskey neat rather than in a cocktail. Expect a smooth profile and hint of toast and wood in a glass of extra añejo.
Editor’s Tip: Planning on pouring yourself a few ounces of reposado or añejo? Serve it neat or over ice to experience all the nuances in your glass.
One sip of this refreshing drink and you’ll picture sand, sea and blue skies that stretch for miles. It’s like a vacation in a glass, and you can mix it up in moments. What are you waiting for? —Christina Pittman, Parkville, Missouri
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Be sure to check out our picks for the best tequila for making margaritas.
A classic margarita recipe doesn't need anything other than tequila, Triple Sec and fresh lime juice. When you're making the cocktail, make sure you squeeze the limes correctly for the ultimate freshness. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor
When I lived in Texas, I decided to create a cocktail that represented my new home. I've found that blood orange juice works just as well as the grapefruit juice in this spicy margarita recipe. —Danny Schneider, Omaha, NE
The sweetness of the fruit helps offset the spiciness of the Sriracha, giving this mango margarita a unique and fun twist. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor
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This is what you need to know about mezcal.
When you add a drizzle of grenadine to your finished grapefruit margarita, it sinks to the bottom of the glass, creating a beautiful sunset look. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor
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Looking for more variations? Don’t forget to check out our favorite Cadillac margarita.
For a fun spin on a classic cocktail, substitute Blue Curacao for Triple Sec. The vibrant blue margarita will make you think you're on the shores of the Caribbean. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor
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Ginger and lime form a wonderful flavor combination, so I thought I'd try adding them to my raspberry margarita. This cocktail is perfect for spring or summer parties. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor
On a hot afternoon, what could be better than a cold margarita float? The addition of creamy ice cream really takes this treat to the next level. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan
I'm always surprised when people say they didn't know this drink existed. It's a really refreshing cocktail, and it's easy to double or triple the recipe. —Arianne Barnett, Kansas City, Missouri
Melon liqueur dramatically changes the flavor and color of a classic margarita and also makes it sweeter. If you'd like your melon margarita a little more tart, cut back on the liqueur just a tiny bit. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor
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Summer’s best flavors get frosty in the cocktail we serve at all our backyard shindigs. We mix sun-ripened watermelon and our favorite tequila with just the right amount of ice for a thick and boozy sipper that’s perfect when we’re grilling and chilling.—Alicia Cummings, Marshalltown, Iowa
When summer rolls around, I start thinking about all the fun drinks I can whip up to stay cool. This frozen cherry margarita is a favorite of mine. It's so delicious, and the deep red color is amazing. —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado
Pomegranate juice gives a tart and tasty twist to the traditional margarita. The ruby color is great for Christmas, but we enjoy the refreshing beverage all year long.—Bernice Knutson, Danbury, Iowa
I like to cool down with this absolutely fantastic frozen margarita recipe. It's slightly icy, thick and perfect for when you need a break. —Julie Hieggelke, Grayslake, Illinois
I came up with this beverage to serve at holiday celebrations for a festive twist on the traditional margarita. It's light and refreshing, and looks beautiful with sugar crystals on glass rims. —Mindie Hilton, Susanville, California
Part of the third generation in a family of restaurateurs, Camille was born with a passion for cooking and food. She embarked on a career in hospitality where she excelled as a sommelier and wine director. This hospitality experience has given her a wealth of first-hand knowledge about how to pair all manner of drinks with food—plus some serious kitchen skills. These days, she's hung up her wine key in favor of a pen and covers all aspects of food and drink.