Tequila: how to drink it properly and what to combine it with for New Year's.

According to ТСН: Tequila is a strong alcoholic beverage made from the heart of the blue agave. It is very popular in Mexico, where the method of consumption can vary. However, in Western culture, there are certain rituals that can make any party, especially New Year's, even more attractive.

How to drink tequila properly

Tequila is usually poured into small, tall glasses with thick bottoms, which are called caballito in Mexico, with a volume of 30 to 60 milliliters. However, you can experiment with the dish, for example, using halves of lemons or limes without pulp.

This drink has a high alcohol content - up to 55%, so it should be consumed carefully. The traditional combination includes tequila, a slice of lime, and a pinch of salt. For women, there is an option with orange and cinnamon.

A popular way of consumption: salt is poured on the left hand between the fingers, licked off, tequila is quickly drunk, and lime is eaten. This scheme is called: 'Lick! Flip! Bite'.

Cocktails with tequila

'Margarita'

This cocktail, created by aristocrat Margarita Sames in 1948, has become one of the most popular in the world. It is served in a cone-shaped glass with a rim salted.

Recipe: three parts tequila are mixed with one part orange liqueur 'Cointreau' and one part lemon juice. Everything is well stirred and several ice cubes are added.

'Tequila Boom'

This cocktail is called Rapido - which means 'quick' in Spanish. It is popular among the youth due to its invigorating effect.

Recipe: mix equal parts of any type of tequila and sweet soda, cover the glass with your hand, and hit the table hard. A strong foam appears from the impact, and the cocktail is drunk in one go.

Sangrita

This traditional Mexican cocktail resembles 'Bloody Mary'.

Recipe: six peeled tomatoes, juice from two lemons and three oranges, finely chopped onion, and one teaspoon each of pepper, sugar, and salt, half a liter of tequila. All ingredients are blended and served with ice cubes.

Banderita

This cocktail translates to 'little flag'. Its colors symbolize the national flag of Mexico: green, white, and red.

Banderita is drunk as follows: one glass is filled with 'Sangrita', another with tequila, and a third with lime juice. Then all three glasses are drunk in order.

What to drink tequila with

In Mexico, tequila is often consumed with chips, bread, and spicy sauce. The taste of the drink can be accentuated with meat dishes or platters with the addition of spicy sauce, for example, 'salsa'.

Tequila also pairs well with:

• soft cheeses
• mushrooms
• olives
• mussels
• shrimp

A wonderful snack for tequila will be the traditional Mexican dish burrito, which is a filling wrapped in a bread tortilla. A burrito can include beans, corn, and other ingredients.

Tequila is a drink that can become a bright element of a New Year's feast. It can be drunk on its own or used to make various cocktails. Delicious drinks not only decorate the festive table but also provide a fun process of making cocktails.