Blanco
The youngest tequila, bottled almost straight after distillation. Crisp and clean, it's best in drinks where the other ingredients get to shine, like the Margarita, and it's usually the least expensive.
Reposado
Rested two to twelve months in oak, which rounds it out and adds gentle oak notes. The most versatile tequila on the back bar.
Añejo
Aged one to three years in oak, picking up vanilla and spice. Very smooth. Best neat or on a single cube, and you'll rarely see it in a cocktail.
Mezcal
Tequila must be made from blue agave; mezcal can use many kinds. The agave hearts are roasted in pits lined with wood and rock before distilling, which is where that smoke comes from.
11 recipes
Classic agave cocktails
BatangaSweet cola over bright blanco tequila, with lime cutting through the sweetness.
Division BellSmoky mezcal over bittersweet orange and a touch of cherry, lifted by bright lime.
Grand MargaritaRich orange and cognac notes over tequila, deeper than a standard margarita.
IllegalSmoky mezcal softened by sweet agave and a touch of herbal vermouth.
MargaritaTart lime and orange against tequila's agave bite.
Mezcal NegroniBitter and smoky, with Campari's orange notes fighting for space against the mezcal.
Naked and FamousSmoky mezcal balanced against bitter orange, herbal sweetness and tart lime.
Oaxaca Old FashionedDeeply smoky and warming with a touch of sweet agave underneath.
PalomaTart grapefruit fizz with tequila's agave bite coming through clean.
Tequila SunriseSweet orange juice over tequila, with a syrupy cherry-red finish at the bottom.
Tommy's MargaritaPure tequila and lime with a clean agave sweetness, no orange flavor at all.