What is silver tequila? If you are just entering your home bartender, or amateur mixologist phase, welcome! Let's talk all things silver tequila and why you should always keep it stocked at your home bar.
What is silver tequila?
Silver tequila, otherwise known as blanco tequila, is the "clear" tequila. It's colorless because it is bottled right after distillation. Blanco means "white" in Spanish, to point out the tequila's colorless coloring.
Different types of tequila
There are four main types of tequila that you will typically see in liquor stores. The four types below are all differentiated by the aging process. I'll get into 100% agave and mixto tequilas a bit further down.
Blanco Tequila
Blanco tequila is also known as silver or white tequila. If you see a bottle of clear tequila labeled any of those 3 names, you are buying unaged tequila, meaning it is bottled right after the distilling process. You'll typically get hints of citrus if you are sipping on blanco tequila straight. Because of the citrus notes and the unaged flavor, I always say silver tequila is the best type of tequila for mixed drinks, particularly fruit-based drinks, like traditional margaritas or fruity margaritas. If you're looking for perfect margaritas, you should try this passion fruit margarita, spicy mango margarita, or raspberry margarita on the rocks.
Reposado Tequila
Reposado tequila is tequila that is aged in oak barrels after the distillation process. Reposado tequila is aged for up to one year, so you still have that agave flavor, but the oaky flavor of the barrels will also sneak in there. The barrels and aging process also give reposado tequila that gold hue. This tequila is the perfect tequila for all cocktail recipes. It's not too aged, so it's great in margaritas and palomas, but you can also make other cocktails like a reposado old fashioned since the depth of flavor is there. You might get a honey scent and or taste when sipping on reposado tequila straight.
Añejo Tequila
Añejo tequilas are aged for 1 - 3 years in oak barrels. Similar to other brown liquors, like whiskey, the aging process gives it a bit spicier taste, meaning more notes of vanilla, cinnamon, and fruit. If you are looking for a sipping tequila, this is the best tequila for you. Alternatively, if you are a whiskey drinker, try making your favorite whiskey cocktails with añejo tequila instead! It also has that beautiful golden hue from the aging process.
Extra Añejo Tequila
Extra añejo tequila is aged for longer than 3 years giving it a unique flavor combination of fruits, caramel, and vanilla. The caramel coloring on extra añejo is absolutely stunning. It's recommended to treat this type of tequila as a sipping tequila.
Silver tequila vs. gold tequila - what's the difference?
Silver tequila is unaged and bottled right after the distillation process, therefore it has that clear color. Also given that it isn't aged, it's considered the purest form of tequila. Gold tequila is aged for a very short period of time, but just enough to for the oak barrels to give it that golden color.
Which tequila is best for drinks?
I prefer silver tequila for alcoholic beverages. It has citrus notes, it's just sweet enough, and I think it's the best "blank canvas" to mix all your favorite flavors with. I love making fruity margaritas or crisp and refreshing martinis, like this Tequila Daisy cocktail.
Reposado is also a great option if you're looking for an all-purpose tequila. Because it isn't aged very long it has a depth of flavor that still makes it great to mix with your favorite margarita mix, fruits, and other sweet tequila cocktails.
What is silver tequila: agave tequila vs. mixto tequila
Tequila is distilled from the Weber blue agave plant. Although there are many types of agave plants, tequila is only made from the blue weber agave. Tequila can be 100% agave, meaning it is made from 100% blue Weber agave, or it can be mixto tequila. This means that the tequila is a mix of agave and other fermentable sugars. However, legally, tequila is required to be 51% agave. So, that 49% in Mixto tequilas is often made up of cane sugar or high fructose corn syrup.
I always recommend going with a 100% agave tequila. The flavor of the tequila is so much better, in my opinion. It has such a smoother flavor and you don't get that harsh taste that is sometimes associated with tequila.
Now, this isn't necessarily 100% proven, but I find that drinking 100% agave tequila could also help with the morning after! Lots of people say they can't drink tequila because of the after-effect, but try switching to 100% blue agave tequila!
Favorite silver tequila brands
If you're feeling inspired by this "What is Silver Tequila" blog post, here are some of my favorite 100% agave silver tequila brands you can look for during your next liquor store trip.
- Patrón Silver Tequila
- Milagro Silver
- Don Julio Blanco
- 1800 Silver Tequila
- Teremana Tequila
If a tequila is 100% agave, it will say it on the label! So when shopping for silver tequila, keep an eye out for that on the label. You'll be able to find a brand within your price range no problem. My go-to is typically Don Julio, but I do really like 1800 Silver Tequila if you're trying to be cost-efficient.
FAQs
Is silver or gold tequila better for shots?
Silver, or blanco tequila, is the way to go when ordering tequila shots. Since it isn't aged, it's light, slightly sweet, and easier to take than gold tequila.
What are the 3 types of tequila?
The three main types of tequila or blanco, reposado, and anjeo.
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