Tequila is an alcoholic beverage. It is made from the cactus-like agave plant (also called maguey), a succulent similar to the lily which is native to Mexico.
Tequila is mezcal, a strong alcoholic beverage, made in an area near the town of Tequila, in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. All tequila is mezcal, what makes tequila different, is the region it is made in and the fact that tequila is made from agave Webber also called blue agave, and agave tequilana. Tequila is required to be 51% agave, the remainder is usually corn or cane sugar. There are however, premium tequilas made from 100% blue agave.
Tequila made only from agave sugars must be made in Mexico, and is marked Hecho en México (made in Mexico). Bulk agave syrup may be exported, and often has other sugars added, and caramel for colouring. If it is not made from 100% agave, tequila is called mixto.
Note: for more information on how tequila is made, see mezcal
Tequila may be drunk straight, as with Scotch whisky, or as an ingredient in other drinks:
Drinks
It is also drunk as a single shot, with salt, followed by the tequila shot, followed by sucking the juice from a lemon wedge.
In addition to Tequila, Jalisco, there is another municipality called Tequila in the Mexican state of Veracruz.