Some of us may have sworn tequila off the last time we spent four hours in the bathroom as punishment the morning after a long night somewhere in Tijuana. However, tequila is fast-becoming known as a "fine" liquor, with some rare and "boutique" imported tequilas going for as much as $1,700 a bottle. Cuervo's 1800 Collecion is $1,000 a bottle.
Margaritas and tequila shots were once the standard ways to drink tequila, but with these finer tequilas, there's an increasing trend toward drinking premium tequila like a high-end Scotch - slow, and straight-up.
Of course, there is no right nor wrong way to drink tequila, but it's always good to know a few things before sallying forth into the night with tequila. 100% agave costs a lot more, but here is where "You get what you pay for" really matters. The higher the percentage of agave sugars in the tequila, the lower chance of waking up with a killer hangover.
"100% agave" means no other sugars have been added. (Those sugars are what give you a hangover). "Mixto" means that the tequila is at least 51% agave, with sugar added during fermentation, or sugar spirits added after distillation.
"Plata," "Silver," and "Blanco" are unaged tequilas that look clear, whereas "Anejo" are tequilas that have been aged for at least one year, and have turned a deep dark golden color.
"Oro" is similar to the blanco and silver tequilas, but has coloring added to it to give it a golden color.
"Reposado" is a tequila that has been "rested" in oak barrels for at least two months and up to one year. "Curado" means that the tequila has been flavored with other ingredients, much the way flavored vodkas are made like vanilla, orange, and berry flavors.
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