Tequila

Tequila is mezcal, a strong alcoholic beverage, made in an area near the town of Tequila, in the state of Jalisco, Mexico[?]. All tequila is mezcal, what makes tequila different, is the region it is made in and the fact that tequila is made from agave Webber[?] also called blue agave, and agave tequilana. Tequila is required to be 51% agave, the remainder is usually corn or cane sugar. There is however, tequilas made from 100% agave. The finest tequilas are always 100% blue agave.

Tequila made only from agave sugars must be made in Mexico, and is marked Hecho en México (made in Mexico). Bulk agave syrup may be exported, and often has other sugars added, and caramel for colouring. If it is not made from 100% agave, tequila is called mixto.

Note: for more information on how tequila is made, see mezcal

Drinks

Tequila may be drunk straight, as with Scotch whisky, or as an ingredient in other drinks:

• Margarita.
• Sangrita[?] is served mixed with tequila, or accompanying it.
• Tequila Martini, substituting tequila for gin.
• Tequila Sunrise.

It is also drunk as a single shot, with salt, followed by the tequila shot, followed by sucking the juice from a lemon wedge. This appears to be primarily a way of getting very drunk very quickly.