Tequila 101: How To Savor The Flavor Of Mexico's National Drink

There's an endless array of tempting bars, restaurants and resorts in Mexico serving great (and not-so-great) tequila. But for a standout place with multiple authentic tequila experiences, let the Four Season's Alfredo Sanchez be your guide. "People travelling here want to taste real tequila, so we've created a lot of opportunities for them to do so," says Sanchez, tequila barista of the spectacular Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita on the Pacific coast, just north of Puerto Vallarta on the Bahia de Banderas. "They'll discover many different tequilas during their stay and experience many ways to get to the heart of each." Sanchez assembled a wide collection of tequila — more than 200 (gulp!) — plus a generous selection of mescal, a smoky spirit distilled from the agave plant that is to tequila what Armagnac is to Cognac.

The Four Seasons resort offers several opportunities for sampling, such as cooking classes that pair tequila with traditional Mexican dishes, and tours of nearby distilleries. Sanchez isn't the only local who's passionate about his country's national spirit. "The industry is very warm and welcoming and producers are happy to share their traditions. It's part of our Latin flavor." At his Punta Mita headquarters, Sanchez does a bit of molecular mixology but prefers to bring out tequila's many layers with handmade traditional Mexican ingredients — often in non-traditional ways. Here's how: Leave the salt and lime slices on the table. Instead, prepare for tequila shots chased with orange and grapefruit wedges, chili powder-dusted pineapple, chunks of dark chocolate, or red and green sangrita. Twirl a cocktail glass of tequila rimmed with house-made chamoy, a fruity sweet-and-sour candy traditionally used to familiarize youngsters to the taste of chili. Or throw caution to the wind and fire up a Cuban cigar (legal here!) to compliment the smoky flavor of extra-aged XO Mexican spirits. "Each unlocks another expression of tequila and is another way to enjoy it," Sanchez says, but he's the first to admit not everything goes with tequila. "Your best bets for a local tequila experience are ceviche and chocolate cake." Among original cocktails lighting up the Mexican resort scene is Mezcalinha of mezcal with fresh pineapple, orange and lime juices, agave nectar and rosemary sugar topped with a rosemary sprig, and Chamoy Margarita of tequila, Cointreau, mango puree and housemade chamoy with a chamoy-salted rim. "It's sweet, salty and spicy from first sip to last." If you're lucky enough to sip at Sanchez's Four Seasons bar, you're benefiting from the expertise of a certified Tequila Expert, certified by the Mexican Academy of Tequila in Mexico City. "That's a big title here, so I prefer 'aficionado,'" he laughs. "My main job is to share tequila culture and expand people's knowledge.

There is always more to learn and the experience is magical." For lovers of premium tequila who wish to go straight to the source, Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, serves up a one-of-a-kind excursion via private helicopter to the family-run Jose Cuervo distillery in Tequila, Mexico. The agave landscape surrounding the distillery is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. On arrival, a sommelier tales guests behind the scenes to demonstrate the tequila-making process from start to finish. Lunch (with tequila, of course) is followed by a visit the reserve vault to savor a digestif of top-of-the-line aged tequila served straight from the barrel. "Premium tequila is one of the most coveted beverages in the world and is deeply rooted in Mexico's history," said John O'Sullivan, General Manager, Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita. "With our Ultimate Tequila Tour, we've created an incredible journey that takes our guests from blue agave fields to esteemed private cellars, providing special access to discover the origins of tequila and taste rare reserve blends of this beloved spirit."