Is Flavored Tequila Real Tequila? Tequila Cream Explained

[00:00:00] Flavored tequila. Is it real tequila? Is it cheating? Is it just for shots? Or is it actually a legitimate category? Let's break down what flavored tequila really is and whether you should be drinking it. First of all, you need to understand what tequila is. Under Mexican regulations, tequila is made from at least 51% Blue Weber Agave. If it's labeled 100% Agave, then it must be entirely agave based with no added sugars. During fermentation. It has to be produced in a specific region of Mexico, primarily Jalisco, and it is regulated by the crt. So that's tequila. Now, let's talk about flavored tequila. Flavored tequila usually starts as tequila, but after distillation, flavors are added. Those flavors could be natural things like fruit, lime, mango, pineapple. It even could be coconut, vanilla, spices, or sweeteners. Once those flavors are added, it's no longer straight tequila. It becomes what's legally classified as a flavored tequila tequila product, even if it is stated as 100% agave tequila. That's why many flavored bottles don't emphasize aging categories like blanco, repo, because once you alter the spirit with flavoring, it's no longer a pure expression of agave. Now the big question, is flavored tequila bad? Honestly, it depends on what you're looking for. If you love traditional highlights of agave, terroir, fermentation distillation methods, flavored tequila is probably not going to be your thing. But if you're looking to make margaritas or ranch waters or summer cocktails, fun party drinks, flavored tequila can be approachable and enjoyable. The real issue is transparency. When you go to those places in Mexico and you get off the cruise ship and they try to sell you this coconut tequila and it's pure tequila, or they're talking about this chocolate tequila, most consumers don't realize they're drinking a flavored product instead of traditional tequila. That's where a little education matters. And some of the tequilas, like what patron put together, which is an orange liqueur made with patron tequila, says it right there on the bottle. It lets you know that this is just made with tequila, and it is an orange, and it's great for adding it to margaritas. This one here from El Padrino, this is says chocolate tequila cream, and it says cream of the chocolate el tequila. So this one doesn't really give you a lot of information. [00:02:14] It doesn't state that it's definitely tequila, but it's kind of leads you to know there's tequila in there. And you will find most tequilas that are flavored do have that kind of label. There are additives that are put in standard tequila and not disclosed. Well, that's a completely different conversation. We'll probably have that one later. So, flavored tequila? Real tequila? Yes. It starts with tequila, but it's not traditional unaltered tequila. So know the difference. Let me know what your thoughts are on flavored tequila and if you have any go to's or things that you like to drink, drop me a comment. Let me know if you're a flavored tequila drinker or strictly agave only. Myself, it's agave only, but I understand people do like these. So drink what you like, but know what you're drinking. Thanks for watching.