For several years running, the margarita has been one of America's favorite cocktails. Margarita is considered a summer cocktail, given how refreshing the standard recipe of tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and agave nectar tastes.

In recent years, though, the cocktail has become the go-to mixed drink on a yearly basis. Still, there are as many ways to mix a margarita as there are brands of tequila. Now that winter has begun and the nights are getting longer; thus, the margarita recipe needs to evolve with the seasons. Although many people use Blanco tequilas for summer, Reposado tequila is better suited to the winter vibe.

Reposado tequilas are rested or aged for two to twelve months in oak barrels. This allows it more warmth and complexity compared to Blanco, which is dominated by the pure agave flavors. The Reposado enhances depth to the margarita and entails a distinct mixture of ingredients.

Light aging to Balance Flavor

The slight aging process in Reposado tequila helps to temper the strong agave flavor without masking it. Moreover, you will see a subtle balance of fruits, florals, and spices. Light hints of vanilla, jasmine, and citrus help to round and smooth the flavor, making it perfect for more complex tequila mix drinks.  

How to make Reposado Tequila?

The texture of Reposado tequila is a cross between un-aged Blanco tequila and modest bourbon. To prepare a Reposado tequila, all you need is a bottle of blue agave tequila and a small oak barrel. Let’s see how it is made:

1. Firstly, the oak barrel is rinsed a few times. It assures that the barrel is free from any debris because the last thing you want to do is eat pieces of wood. After that, a dampened spigot is inserted into the hole in the barrel head.

• The barrel is filled with hot to warm water and remains for about a day or longer to it swell. The precise timing depends on temperature.

• Once the barrel swells, it is drained and filled with tequila.

• After some time tequila starts to take on some of the notes of the oak wood. The first pass takes about a few weeks. However, future passes require a longer amount of time.

• It is the personal preference of the distiller as to how long the tequila should remain in the oak barrel. When ready, the barrel is drained into a bottle, so the aging process stops.

Remember, when making your tequila-based drinks, you should be aware of their origin. Quality plays a significant role in adding flavor. If there is a proper way to drink anything, it is best to follow it. However, you can obviously have a little bit of fun sometimes. Reposado tequila is a potent drink, but you can still enjoy it as much you want before passing out.