Tequila is moving away from its image as a strong shot. Now you see it more often in tall, cold, light glasses.
Agave liquor is moving from strong liquor to the base of long cocktails
Tequila and mezcal remain popular, but drinking them has become lighter. Low and tall glasses like Ranch Water, Paloma, and Coconut Highball are good for use in home bars.
Why it's important
Agave liquor is resistant to citrus and salt, making it particularly stable in summer cocktails. It is a brighter option than whiskey and drier than rum.
Practical method
The first bottle to bring to your home bar is Blanco tequila. You can make a basic dish with just lime juice, sparkling water, and salt, or add grapefruit or coconut water to give it an updated feel.
Things to watch out for
Mezcal has a strong smokiness, so there are likes and dislikes. If it is for guests, it is safe to use tequila as the base and add only 5 to 10 ml of mezcal as flavor.
The agave trend hasn't gone away, but the glasses have changed. It gets stronger in a long, cool glass than in a short, strong glass.
