what you should know

What does tequila taste like? A hot penny? Freshly poured concrete? Pure funk?

It used to not matter what tequila tasted like: the whole point was to avoid tasting it by hiding it in margaritas or by shooting it and muffling the funk with a wedge of lime or a swig of beer.

Over the past decade though, the Mexican spirit has aspired to savoring and sipping status.

spectrum Made by fermenting and distilling juice from the blue agave plant, a tequila's quality depends on its percentage of agave juice and how (and for how long) the tequila is aged. When choosing a tequila, think first about how you're going to use it. 

tequila vs. mezcal Looking for that worm? You're probably better off going with a bottle of mezcal, which is a smokier, less refined version of tequila that can be made with any agave plant.

last request If you want to write a country song about gettin' wild and/or goin' crazy, tequila's your firewater. And if, ever, you accidentally run afoul of a biker gang like the Satan's Helpers, remember the power of "Tequila".

what you need

We're excited about two upcoming tequila-related books. Fresh off her celebrated Wine Country Cooking, Joanne Weir breaks it down in Tequila: A Guide to Types, Flights, Cocktails, and Bites. And if it's anything like his rollicking first book The White Rock, then explorer-documentarian Hugh Thomson's new book, Tequila Oil: Getting Lost in Mexico, should be at the very top of your spring reading list.

Back when tequila was known more for shooting than sipping, Lance Cutler paved the way with his Tequila Lover's Guide to Mexico.

We've never been fans of the cartoonish buldge of  the traditional margarita glass; still, it feels a little wrong drinking the things out of anything else.

what you do

For a basic margarita, we like to mix one shot each of fresh lime juice, Grand Marnier and tequila. 

For these sparkling lime margaritas, the recipe gets a little more complicated.

Rachel, of Coconut & Lime, makes the most of beautiful winter citrus with these blood orange margaritas.

Ditch the lime and salt and serve tequila shots with a pitcher of sangrita, a classic savory and sweet tomato concoction. 

A swallow of chile-infused tequila makes a good--if nontraditional--digestif.

Shellfish holds up well to Latin flavors. Need convincing? Makes these steamed mussels with chile and tequila. 

A moist and piquant tequila-habanero rub is a spirited match for grilled flank steak.

Featured recipe: Tangy and creamy, with a sharp finish from the booze, this tequila-lime ice cream is an adult treat.