Tequila is made from the blue agave plant which looks like a cactus but is a member of the lily family. For the spirit to be considered tequila it must be distilled primarily — no less than 51% — from the fermented juice of the blue agave. Tequilas derived from 100% blue agave are considered the best quality. Mixto tequilas make up the difference with non-agave sugars, usually from sugar cane. Tequila doesn't have a worm in it - that would be mezcal.
Margarita
The Margarita is a great cocktail, but you have to make it correctly. You should avoid using bottled lime-juice since it adds an overly sweet taste. Use fresh limes hand picked at the supermarket; the best ones should be a bit soft when you squeeze them since these might have the most juice. Mexican limes are small in size but they do have an incomparable taste.
Classic Margarita
2 ounces tequila
1 ounce Triple Sec
1/2 ounce Mexican lime juice
If you want a lighter Margarita:
1.5 ounces tequila
3/4 ounce Triple Sec
1/2 to 1 ounce Mexican lime juice
Combine the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice that might be in cubes, coarsely chopped, or finely crushed. You might strain the mixture or pour it into a salt-rimmed margarita or martini glass. To get the salt to stick to the glass pour fine salt on a plate, then run a lime wedge around the lip of a Margarita glass and lightly press it against the salt.
You may use Cointreau, Grand Marnier, Mandarin Napoleon, or Midori instead of Triple Sec. If you want a strong agave flavor use a Blanco tequila. For a milder taste use Reposado. If you are giving a party use Gold: it's cheaper.
Tequila Shot
1 1/2 oz tequila
1/2 lemon
salt
First suck the lemon, place salt on tongue, then swallow tequila.
From the book: Old Mr. Boston's DeLuxe Official Bartender's Guide compiled by Leo Cotton (Mr Boston Distiller Inc., 1965)
Sangrita Chaser
Sangrita is a typical spicy and refreshing non-alcoholic chaser made of fresh orange juice, grenadine and chile piquín or a mix of different chiles. Sangrita is the Spanish diminutive for “blood” and is served in a “caballito”. Commercially bottled brands are available in Mexico and in the United States, but they are artificially flavored. It is best to prepare your own Sangrita.
4 cups of freshly squeezed orange juice
1/4 to 1/2 cup of fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon of grenadine syrup
tablespoon salt
Chile piquín to taste: try first 1/4 tablespoon
As with any recipe you may vary the quantities for each ingredient to suit your taste. Some people add fresh tomato juice to increase the red coloration of the Sangrita. You may try chile de arbol or Tabasco sauce. You may also add a bit of black ground pepper.
Tequila Sunrise
2 measures of ice-cold tequila
4 measures of orange juice
1 measure of grenadine (or less if you prefer)
Pour orange juice in a highball glass and then pour the ice-cold tequila slowly tilting the glass to get a layered effect. Trickle grenadine on top. You should get a perfect sunrise. Garnish stirrer, straw and cherry-orange. Instead of ice-cold tequila you may use ice cubes.
Brave Bull
1 1/4 oz Sauza Hornitos tequila
1 1/2 oz Kahlua
1 squeeze lime
Combine in mixing glass filled with ice. Stir and serve in rock glass with ice. Garnish with lime wedge.
From The Book of Tequila: A Complete Guide, written by Bob Emmons (Carus Publishing Company, 1997)
Petroleo
1-1/2 ounces tequila
1 ounce Mexican lime juice
1 serrano chile halved from top to bottom
Pour the tequila and lime juice into a small glass. Add salt, pepper, Maggi sauce and Worcestershire sauce to taste. Mix ingredients. Add one half of the serrano chile and one or two ice cubes. Use Blanco or Reposado tequila.
Dynamite
1 ounce Reposado tequila
1 ounce Blanco tequila
1 ounce Clamato juice
Pour contents into glass. Add one-half teaspoon of Tabasco sauce and the juice of one half lime. Mix contents and add crushed ice, and salt to taste.
Tequila Sour
1-1/2 onces tequila
2 ounces lemon juice
1 teaspoon sugar
Blend ingredients with crushed ice and strain into sour glass. Garnish with a red cherry. Use Añejo for a better taste.