Tequila sipping vessels!
So we know what you’re thinking, and no this is not some ploy for us to sell you a new line of glassware. As far as we’re concerned, the Señor Rio bottle and its iconic design is here to stay! But seriously for a moment, think about it. By now, you’ve constantly heard us tell you that shooting is NOT the correct method of drinking fine tequilas. So, if you’re not going to shoot it, and you are going to sip it and savor it, what type of glass exactly should you be using? That’s what we’re here to tell you! Like many other cocktails and drinks you’re familiar with, you know that certain glassware is appropriate for certain drinks. The iconic martini comes to mind. Or the standard short glass with a big block of ice for the bourbon / whiskey man. Well, once again tequila is no exception, so enjoy this brief tutorial on different tequila vessels and the ways to use them!
The Snifter
This may be the most iconic of all sipping glasses, and we should know, it’s how our founder and CEO Debbie chooses to enjoy her reposado! The snifter is an elegant yet simple design, crafted specifically for letting the tequila breathe and take in the air. Yes, you heard that right! Similar to wine and other spirits, letting the air and tequila adjust together allows you to enjoy the different aromas your tequila has to offer, while also letting the oxidation work its magic in helping the tequila mature, even if ever so briefly, before it hits your lips. This helps you enjoy the complexities that come with enjoying an aged tequila like reposado or anejo!
The Riedel
Another classic looking glass in our recommended list, you may associate this glassware with another top shelf form of spirit, champagne! Well, as usual, you the connoisseur get to choose what you put in! Simple yet sophisticated, the riedel also allows for small quantities of air to enter and help your tequila get some last second maturing and breathing in before you enjoy. Due to the thinner construction, this also is highly recommended for sipping your tequila! However, separate from the snifter, the riedel can be used to make a simple cocktail as well! We think our classic spritzer recipe looks quite elegant in this piece!
Mexican hand blown glass
So all spirits can be enjoyed in a snifter, but only the official spirit of Mexico can be enjoyed in Mexican hand blown glass! Ok, so that’s not an official rule or anything, but let’s be honest, you’re probably not going to see a vintage Scotch or Gin drinker using some colorful glass from the streets of Guadalajara with their drinks! Considering that tequila must come from the blue agave, grown in Mexico, and distilled in only 5 states within Mexico (*can you remember which? Answers at the end!), it’s only fitting that your tequila be served in authentic hand made glasses from its country of origin. So next time you’re on a trip to one of our favorite countries in the world, go pick some up and add to your bar collection!
Whatever you have available!
Ok, so we’re saying this obviously tongue in cheek. At the end of the day, there’s no “wrong” glass to drink tequila in, as long as you love it and are enjoying it responsibly! The way we see it, the world has enough do-as-we-say types trying to micromanage your life from top to bottom, and that’s not what tequila is always about! Nope, tequila is about slowing down, enjoying life, and as our message in a bottle will always read “Sharing tequila, is sharing life.” So next time you’re at a Total Wine & More store looking to pick up a bottle of Señor Rio, take a minute and see if any snifters or by chance Mexican glasses are available, and as always friends, “Salud!”
*Jalisco, Nayarit, Guanajuato, Michoacán and Tamaulipas
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