Drink Aged Tequila With Grapefruit Instead of Lime and Salt
If you throw in a few shots of aged tequila during your Cinco de Mayo celebration today, consider ditching the lime and salt in those shots and instead replacing the grapefruit with a sprinkle of cinnamon.
I traveled a lot in Mexico last year, visiting tequila factories (I know it’s hard work). I learned a lot about the spirit, but one of my favorite tidbits came from people in Casadores who suggested swapping out the fruit that was used to chase the shots.
According to them, this whole thing of lime and salt was invented back when people were drinking rather rough tequila.
If you’re shooting cheap tequila blanco (pure material) then the tradition is probably still at work. If you choose an aged tequila like Reposado or Añejo; however, then it is better to replace the lime with grapefruit and the salt with a light sprinkle of cinnamon.
Tequila Reposado and Anejo are darker due to aging in barrels before bottling. Tequila Reposado is aged from two months to 11 months in an oak barrel, while Añejo is aged for a year or more.
The combination of grapefruit and cinnamon is better for bringing out some of the amazing aromas that come from this aging and can provide a much better experience.
Better yet, try drinking the aged tequila as if you loved good whiskey. On the same trip, I personally fell in love with Extra Añejo tequilas (those that are aged for at least three years and one day in a barrel). They can be delicious without additives or with a few ice cubes thrown in, and they are much tastier than fractional shots of cheap food.