Tequila is arguably the most popular Mexican beverage. Years of history and tradition have endowed its unique taste, versatility, and cultural heritage. In previous posts, we shared with you that this distillate's name is due to one of the most folkloric towns of the state of Jalisco, as well as its creation stands out because of its artisanal production process.
The fame and popularity of tequila have become global. Proof thereof is the fact that it even has a special day to celebrate its history and taste: The third Saturday of March in Mexico, and July 24th worldwide.
Denomination of Origin
As we shared with you in one of our latest articles, tequila is a 100% Mexican product that has a Denomination of Origin, which means that it can only be produced in some states of Mexico, which are Jalisco, Nayarit, Michoacán, Tamaulipas, and Guanajuato.
Production
The main regulation for tequila's Denomination of Origin is the raw material for its production, tequila can only be produced with blue agave o tequilana weber, which is cultivated for approximately 7 years. Later, when the agave pineapples are mature enough, harvesters or "jimadores" extract them for its cooking.
The pineapples are separated according to their size and cut into small pieces, then they are placed into steam injection within traditional brick ovens or stainless steel autoclaves, where they will be cooked for approximately 35 hours. Once the cooking is over, they are milled to obtain the juice or must, which is deposited in fermentation tanks.
Finally, the must is distilled and poured in wooden barrels, where it will be aging according to the type of tequila it is; for example, for rested tequila the minimum aging duration is 2 months, while for ultra aged tequila is at least 3 years.
Multisensorial Experience
Imagine a trip where you can enjoy a massage with tequila, dinner with a pairing of this distillate, mixology, and even a private helicopter tour of Mexico's most impressive agave fields; it seems like a dream, right? However, you can make this experience a reality at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit. Let's take a glimpse!
First, a welcome of honor with a complete ritual at SE Spa, awarded with 5 Stars by Forbes Travel Guide, which takes you through the Water Ceremony in 7 steps, where you enjoy different stations such as the sauna, the eucalyptus room, chromotherapy, and more, to conclude with an energetic massage with tequila cream for a complete sensation of well-being. Not everything ends there, because later you have a mixology class with the cocktail jewel: A drink with Golden Ranch Water, which contains edible 24-carat gold flakes; spiced with jalapeño and Tajín, which complement the fresh lemon, tequila, and mineral water. To delight the palate even more, a pairing dinner at Frida, the restaurant that offers Mexican cuisine inspired by the recipes of the same artist.
After enjoying the Mexican Pacific, it's time to board the helicopter to go to Tequila, a Pueblo Mágico just 120 miles from Puerto Vallarta. In this place, you can delve into the fascinating world of the Mexican distillate. A horseback ride through the agave fields, tequila tasting, an agave harvest experience, and a workshop to create your tequila bottle, plus stay in a barrel-themed suite. You will be a pro!
Tips
You have probably drunk tequila during a party or vacation, either in its purest form or in a cocktail… or luckily is one of your favorite drinks! This is why Vicente, our star-mixologist at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has some valuable tips for you that will make your experience with tequila more exquisite!
Recipes
Now that you know more about this delicious beverage, here are a couple of recipes for you to try at home. Let's enjoy some delicious cocktails with tequila!
Tequila Sunrise
Ingredients:
- Ice
- 2 oz. tequila reposado
- 4 oz. orange juice
- 1 oz. grenadine
- Garnish: orange slice
- Garnish: maraschino cherry
Preparation:
Pour the tequila and orange juice in a highball glass with ice. Stir well and slowly pour the grenadine so it sinks at the bottom of the glass. Finally, garnish with an orange slice and a cherry.
Paloma Brava
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. tequila reposado
- 6 oz. orange juice
- 5 oz. grapefruit juice
- ¾ oz. lime juice
- 4 oz. grapefruit or orange soda
- Syrup or honey to taste
- Garnish: lime wheel
Preparation:
Pour the tequila, lime, orange and grapefruit juices in a highball glass with ice. Add a pinch of salt and stir gently. Top off with soda and pour honey or syrup to taste. Finally, garnish it with a lime wheel.
Sparkling Mango
- 2 oz. silver tequila
- 1 oz. lime juice
- 1 oz. mango pulp
- ⅕ oz. simple syrup
- Sparkling water or Ginger Ale
Preparation:
Put all the ingredients in a shaker, except the sparkling water. Mix them with some ice. Serve in wine glass with ice and add the sparkling water or ginger ale. Decorate with a slice of cucumber and mint leaves.
Rasberry Paloma
- 2 oz. Silver tequila
- 1 oz. lime juice
- 6 raspberries
- Grapefruit soda
Preparation:
Put all the ingredients in a shaker, except the grapefruit soda. Mix them and serve it in a highball glass rimmed with salt. Add the grapefruit soda and decorate with a raspberry skewer.
Guava Margarita
- 2 oz. silver tequila
- 1 oz. Cointreau
- 1 oz. lime juice
- 1 oz. guava pulp
Preparation:
Put all the ingredients in a shaker and mix them a few seconds. Serve it in an old fashioned glass rimmed with brown sugar. Add ice and decorate with mint leaves and an edible flower.
Fresh Agave
- 2 oz. Silver tequila
- 1 oz. elderflower liqueur (St. Germain)
- 1 oz. lime juice
- 2 oz. cucumber juice
- ⅕ oz. simple syrup
Preparation:
Put all the ingredients in a shaker and mix them with some ice. Serve it in an old fashioned glass with ice. Decorate with a slice of cucumber and mint leaves or basil.
Interesting fact: The most expensive tequila in the world
Ley Diamante .925 —Diamond Sterling .925— is the name of the tequila that has been included on Guinness Records as the Most Expensive Bottle of Tequila in the World, with a cost of 3.5 million dollars. The preciously crafted bottle has 4,100 white diamonds embedded and 5 lb. of platinum, which is one of the most expensive metals, and 17 artisans in total were in charge of the manufacturing.
Did you know this tequila was the protagonist of an eccentric pairing with the most expensive taco in the world? The occasion was celebrated in Grand Velas Los Cabos in order to raise funds for Los Cabos Children's Foundation, summing a grand total of $27,960 dollars collected.
Now, we propose a toast for Tequila! Cheers!
