Best Way to Take a Shot

[gwild]

What's your favorite way to take a tequila shot-
With lime and salt or straight?
I've also heard that the best way to get the full flavor of tequila is the swirl it around in your mouth before swallowing. I can't seem to tell the difference, but does anyone else do it this way?

[MrAgave]

What are you drinking?

In my opinion, shots are for cheap mixto Tequila or other spirits that have a terrible taste. So throwing it down your throat and trying to offset the nasty flavor with chasers and fruit is the only way to keep it down.

Any 100% Agave Tequila can be enjoyed neat, and sipped, so you can actually enjoy the flavor. Sipped slowly you will see that the spirit will open up over time and you will recognize different aromas and flavors during the tasting. I personally chew the tequila once it hits my mouth, which mixes saliva with the spirit, and keeps a flow of air running through the mouth and nostrils. Sip a little bit at a time, and if it is too strong for your palate (depending on your age and experience) knock it down with a splash of water or an ice cube.

[crowesnest]

Originally Posted by MrAgave

What are you drinking?

In my opinion, shots are for cheap mixto Tequila or other spirits that have a terrible taste. So throwing it down your throat and trying to offset the nasty flavor with chasers and fruit is the only way to keep it down.

Any 100% Agave Tequila can be enjoyed neat, and sipped, so you can actually enjoy the flavor. Sipped slowly you will see that the spirit will open up over time and you will recognize different aromas and flavors during the tasting. I personally chew the tequila once it hits my mouth, which mixes saliva with the spirit, and keeps a flow of air running through the mouth and nostrils. Sip a little bit at a time, and if it is too strong for your palate (depending on your age and experience) knock it down with a splash of water or an ice cube.

With you all the way up to "knock it down with a splash of water or an ice cube." Tame, to say the least.

If it's too strong (and you know it beforehand, or even better, if you don't), make yourself a nice Mexican sangrita- medium sized glass, lots of pepper (garlic pepper is even better), lots of Tipi hot sauce, a mere dash of Worchestershire, and Clamato juice... wet the rim of the glass, coat it well in your best type salt (mine's garlic, but sea salt will do), pour in the mixed sangrita, and violá- a good chaser to sip after almost every tequila sip. You'll find it intoxicating.

My last two "new" (to me) tequila purchases have been-

Avión Añejo Tequila (wasn't all that impressed, considering the price, and other tequila "snobs" have told me the Blanco is dreck, and I'd believe it, just from the taste of the añejo- but I did also admonish them for going that cheap with the blanco) and...

Corzo Tequila Añejo 100% Agave- haven't even tried this one yet, waiting for that "just right" special occasion.

Still haven't found anything close to a match for Corralejo Tequila Añejo 100% de Agave.

Anything else is going to have to go a great way to match the smoothness and the effect of Corralejo. Even their reposado is more than decent for sipping, for the budget minded.

¡Salud!

[*45*]

Originally Posted by gwild

What's your favorite way to take a tequila shot-
With lime and salt or straight?
I've also heard that the best way to get the full flavor of tequila is the swirl it around in your mouth before swallowing. I can't seem to tell the difference, but does anyone else do it this way?

I always (ok 99% of the time) drink my tequila neat, one sip at a time just like you would a beer or wine. There are a lot of flavors to be found in 100% Agave Tequilas, no matter if its blanco, reposado or añejo, so enjoy the journey!

[1tequila2]

I have to ask... why would any one shoot a decent tequila? The only tequila I ever drank that was actually better shooting was Patron reposado. If a tequila is better imbibed this way somethings wrong.

[Piña]

The best way is to sip, not shoot.

[totallytequila]

Originally Posted by gwild

What's your favorite way to take a tequila shot-
With lime and salt or straight?
I've also heard that the best way to get the full flavor of tequila is the swirl it around in your mouth before swallowing. I can't seem to tell the difference, but does anyone else do it this way?

Gwild...my opinion on this topic can be simply summed up by my signature at the bottom of my page.....

[jdjohn84]

I agree with everyone on the sipping as opposed to shooting. But, what if we assume that the tequila is served in a shot glass or caballito. Tell the server no salt or lime, or if they bring it anyway, don't use it. Hard to sip from those type glasses, so if in that situation, I would say break it up into two large sips, holding each in your mouth for several seconds before swallowing. Lick your teeth and gums to spread the taste all over your mouth before swallowing. Swirling is not necessary, but move your tongue around to get the taste on your upper palate as well. Your mouth will get 'warmed up' with the first sip, so don't let a little burn scare you. On the second sip, you will likely be able to taste more of the agave flavor without as much burn. Salud!

[AgaveSpirit1]

OKAY, the best way to take a shot of Tequila is like this: Take your caballito, dump all the juice into a reidell glass or snifter glass, sit back swirl it, get a good couple sniffs and take it easy and sip and enjoy. No need to shoot, or slam a good Tequila. Take it easy and slow and you will enjoy it much much better, I promiseSalud

[1tequila2]

Amen! brother AgaveSpirit1, now you're talkin.