**we preempt our regularly scheduled Fizz Friday post in honor of National Tequila Day**

Everyone knows that The Bubbleista loves a good tipple {a peak at my Instagram page will show you that}, including those of the non-sparkling variety. If I’m going to have a cocktail I want it to be a really tasty one, and part of ensuring that that’s exactly what I get is learning more about the spirits that go into my drink. The more you know about what’s going into your glass the better the choices you can make to ensure that you’ll enjoy sipping it.

I’m not new to the tequila drinking game by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, my friend Tami still cracks up whenever she retells the story from over a decade ago where we were at a restaurant with a group of friends and while everyone else was ordering cocktails and margaritas, I ordered a flight of tequila, straight up. ‘Cause that’s how I roll.

Since then I’ve done quite a bit of “research” on the spirit via educational workshops; brand-specific tasting events; and, ahem, personal “commitment,” and have sampled a wide array brands and varietals, at a wide array of price points. From all of that deeply dedicated drinking I have gleaned these 7 tidbits to make sure you enjoy, and partake in, National Tequila Day in proper style:

7 Things You Should Know About Tequila

1. Although 99 percent of tequila comes from the state of Jalisco, there are actually four additional states in Mexico that are legally sanctioned to make authentic tequila: Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas. And tequila is similar to wine in that terrior matters. Different regions will produce distinctive and different flavors.
2. The most delicious margaritas are those made with a simple recipe and the highest quality ingredients.
3. Forget the lime and salt: in Mexico, one of the traditional ways to drink fine tequila is with a side of a sweet, sour, and spicy drink called “sangrita.” Equal-sized shots of tequila and sangrita are sipped alternately–no salt or lime allowed.
4. Tequila enthusiasts (and more than a few experts) suggest drinking Añejo tequila from brandy snifters because these glasses concentrate the aromas of the liquor, giving the sipper the full experience and flavor of the tequila.
5. “Mixto” = No-No! Seeing Mixto on the label means that your tequila is only 51 percent agave and 49 percent grain spirits with caramel coloring added {can you say hangover?}. And don’t be fooled! Unless an tequila has “100% agave” on the label, it is consider Mixto–so says the Tequila Regulatory Council.
6. Got a bottle of vanilla vodka? Take a deep whiff. Now smell your silver tequila. Repeat. Repeat again. If they smell the same, your tequila quality likely es no bueno. While tequila may have some soft vanilla notes, it should not smell like you poured a bottle of artificial vanilla extract into it.
7. The tequilas sipped neat and be slightly cooled to serve at “real” room temperature, which is optimally around 72 degrees. Experts frown on serving it ice cold because they assert that it masks the subtle flavors.

A FEW OF MY FAVE TEQUILA BRANDS

So, in case you were wondering just how many tequilas there are out there, The Consejo Regulador del Tequila (Tequila Regulatory Council) reported 1377 registered brands from 150 producers for the year 2013. Seems I might have a bit more drinking, no?

• Deleon {Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo}
• Casa Noble Jóven or Reposado
• Herradura Reposado
• Casa Dragones Blanco

Curious what I’ll be drinking in honor of this most festive day? I’ll be documenting my exploits on Instagram with everything from a margarita I’ll make myself {and I’ll be giving you the recipe!} and more.

So what about you: how will you be celebrating National Tequila Day?