Champagne Glass

When it comes to bars restaurants or for tastings for larger groups, the champagne glass seems to be the most popular for its easier access and availability. They are relatively cheap and they come in lots of different shapes and sizes for versatility. Certain wine glasses can equally serve well for this purpose.

Retail Price: varies by brand, but can easily be as low as ​1USD per glass

Serving temperature for tequila

As for the serving temperature, most aficionados prefer room temperature. This is a good starting point for any spirits.

The idea is to find the temperature which makes the tequila well balanced. Warm temperatures put a lot of pressure on our palate and can cause a burning sensation, while chilled tequilas carry the risk of losing flavors.

Most tequilas seem to work best in the range from wine cellar to room temperature. The advice here is the same as with wines.

If a tequila is chilled, just let it rest for a while until it warms up, you can even use your hands on the glass to warm it manually.

If the tequila is too warm, just put it in the fridge or freezer for 10-15 minutes and check if it is easier to drink.

For novice drinkers, a lower temperature is recommended until their palate gets accustomed to the higher level of burning sensation tequila may have vs wines, beers and other spirits.

Storing tequila

Tequila has no expiry date being a distilled spirit, however in case of flavored tequilas it is always best to check the label as it may have one. They are a lot more resistant to aeration than wine or beer.

An opened bottle of tequila may keep its aromas for years and a natural oxygenation can even help soften out some of the harshness. Distilled spirits are also more resistant to sunlight vs. wines, however if kept under sunlight for a prolonged period of time, its color may fade and it can have an effect on its taste too.

While a good wine typically needs to be kept in a cool temperature, distilled spirits can deal with a warmer temperature too.

However be careful as in very hot environments, even the cork can pop open and you run a higher risk of evaporation, especially if the cork does not seal perfectly.

Best kept in a dry, cool place if possible.

Wine may still have residual yeast, harmless bacterias or fungus in it, though its alcoholic concentration and low oxygen levels discourage their growth. Due to its biological nature, once the wine is opened, the oxygen can quickly turn a great wine undrinkable in a couple of days.

Tequila on the other hand was sterilized due to the distillation and its higher alcohol content does not allow such living entities to be ever present, so naturally it is more resistant. Just think about rum being the pirates favorite drink. Rum, being a distilled drink like tequila could survive months, even years on a ship where the temperature, humidity and sunlight conditions may change all the time.

This feature is brought to you by Tequila Stop and the International Tequila Academy.

Tequila Stop aims to share is love for Mexico and its beloved Spirit with fans in Asia Pacific, bringing fans the best that Tequila has to offer, through an extensive catalogue of premium Tequilas and Mezcals straight from the source. Tequila Stop works closely with Mezcaleros across Mexico, and is also partners with the International Tequila Academy.