Tequila is great on its own. The liquor presents a unique flavor that distinguishes it from any other spirit out there. This flavor also pairs remarkably well with a variety of other flavors. Because of this, many people choose to use infused tequila when making tequila-based drinks.
So, how do you make fruit-infused tequila? And, on top of this, why would you make it? This article will explore the answers to these questions and several more.
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What Is Fruit-Infused Tequila?
On its own, the only taste in tequila should come from the natural taste that comes from the agave it’s made from. However, many tequilas have other flavors added to the mix. These will come in varieties like strawberry, mango, guava, and more.
In many commercially produced tequilas, this flavor is added through a fruit-flavored additive. The company simply adds the flavoring to its tequila and bottles up the mixture.
However, flavoring a tequila in this way is inauthentic and often produces off-flavors. You aren’t tasting the true flavor of the fruit if you are just getting an additive. Plus, depending on exactly what type of additive is used, there may be negative health risks associated with it.
This is why many look toward infusion as a solution. Infusion allows people to flavor tequila using real fruits. Doing so imparts the real fruit’s flavor into the tequila. This flavor can then be used in a number of different mixed drinks.
In the end, the infusion process produces a tequila with an authentic fruit flavor. It still tastes like tequila, but this tequila is complemented by whatever fruit or fruits were chosen for the infusion process.
How to Infuse Tequila
While infusion sounds like an intense scientific process, it is actually very straightforward. It is also easy, so pretty much anyone can give it a try.
First, pick out a tequila. You don’t need to pick the most expensive option out there, but we suggest going with something made from 100% agave. Alongside this, you’ll need to figure out what you want to infuse your tequila with. You can use a single fruit, or you can try out a couple of different fruits.
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Once you have your materials, thoroughly wash your fruit, remove any bad spots, and cut it into smaller pieces. Put these fruit pieces into sealable glass jars. Then, fill the jars with tequila until they cover the fruit. At this point, you can seal the jars back up, and you’re almost done!
With your jars done, all you have to do next is wait. Place the jars in a cool, dark place where they won’t be harmed. While waiting, you can choose to shake the jars up every now and then, as doing so will help speed the infusion process along.
There is no exact time limit you should wait for the infusion process. You can wait as little as twenty-four hours or as long as a month. The longer you wait, the more deeply infused your tequila will be. So, ultimately, how long you should wait is up to you, as it will depend on how deeply infused you want your tequila.
What Flavors to Infuse Tequila With
Tequila is surprisingly adaptable and pairs well with a wide range of flavors. Many of these are fruits, but other options exist as well.
Tropical fruits are the first choice many go to when infusing tequila. Mangos, pineapples, limes, and guava all go perfectly with tequila. These also form the basis for many tropical drinks, which use tequila as a base.
However, other fruits work wonderfully as well. Strawberries, blueberries, peaches, watermelon, and more all work well. The best part about infusion is that it isn’t a strict process. If you have a favorite fruit that you want to try infusing, you can go for it!
While not a fruit, many choose to infuse their tequila with jalapenos. Jalapenos have anywhere between 2,000 to 8,000 Scoville Heat Units, which puts them on the more mild end of the hot pepper scale. It also makes them the perfect choice for infusion. This is because they impart a slight taste of spice into a drink without overwhelming it entirely. So, with jalapenos, you can produce a tequila that has a little heat to it.
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Easier Options
The infusion process is relatively simple and straightforward. However, it takes a good deal of time and requires some experimentation to get it right. Because of this, many people look for easier options.
The easiest option is to buy tequila that has already been infused. These commercially available tequilas often use an infusion process similar to what you can do at home but on a larger scale and in a more controlled environment. This allows the tequila to have a consistent flavor in each batch.
The other advantage to going with pre-made infused tequilas is that unique flavor blends are available. These are mixes of fruits and flavors that the company has found to work well together. For example, at Rancho la Gloria, we sell a pink lemonade-infused tequila. This is a mix of fruit flavors that we have fine-tuned to perfection to deliver that classic pink lemonade taste.
If you are using your tequila for margaritas and are looking for something even easier, you can get pre-made margaritas. Rancho la Gloria has a range of different pre-made margaritas available, all of which have incredible levels of fruit flavor.
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Using Fruit-Infused Tequila
Using a fruit-infused tequila is just as easy as using any other tequila. Simply take a recipe that uses tequila and swap out the plain tequila for your fruit-infused equivalent.
This works best in recipes that already call on fruits. For example, a mango margarita will have an even more intense and authentic mango flavor if you use mango-infused tequila in it.
You can also experiment around and develop unique flavor combinations. For example, a regular paloma might taste even better if it had a lemonade twist.
Making Fruit-Infused Tequila Your Favorite
Fruit-infused tequila punches up the flavor of tequila with the flavor of your favorite fruit. Whether you’re making it on your own or buying it pre-made, you can use this unique drink to make your next cocktail. With a little experimentation, you may even find that your new favorite drink comes from a fruit infused tequila.
Ready to say hello to authentically flavored tequila? Find Rancho La Gloria near you!