Drinking tequila properly involves more than just sucking on a lime and licking some salt. There is a specific order that should be followed to correctly consume the Mexican alcohol. Tequila is distilled from a plant that is native to the country of Mexico. Use tasting techniques designed to help you savor every flavor and bouquet of aromas contained within this blue agave plant-derived beverage.

Smell

Pour a small amount of tequila, about one ounce, into a container with a broad bottom and narrower top. Brandy snifters work well for concentrating the aroma of the beverage so the drinker can inhale the essence of the drink. Sniff the drink slowly to take in the different fragrance notes.

Color

Hold the glass in front of your eyes so you can determine the color of the tequila. Clear liquid indicates that the tequila is of the Blanco variety. That means that the alcohol has not been aged. This is the base form of tequila from which all others are derived. Oro tequila is basically Blanco that has been mellowed and had carmel coloring added to represent aging. This is the type that is commonly sold in the U.S. Reposado tequila is aged between 2 months and a year and has a more mellow taste than the previous varieties and is pale in comparison to Oro. Anejo is the highest quality tequila and is aged in oak barrels for a minimum of 1 year and has an amber or honey color. Gently rotate the glass to the left and and watch as the liquid clings to the sides. This motion should produce beads of tequila that resemble a strand of pearls. The further apart the beads are, the more pure and higher quality of the tequila.

Taste

Bring the glass to your lips and take a very small sip. Hold the tequila in the front of your mouth, near your lips, for several seconds before swishing it from side to side and swallowing. This will allow you to truly experience the full flavor of the tequila.

Source:

How to Become a Tequila Connoisseur

So You Want to Learn How to Drink Tequila

More Information:

Different Tequila Drinks