Sure, you enjoy tequila in a Margarita, Tequila Sunrise or hundreds of other drinks that use the popular Mexican spirit.

But have you tried tequila on the rocks? That’s how the aged tequila expressions, Añejo and Extra Añejo, should be enjoyed (here are the different types of tequila).

Even if all you have is a bottle of Blanco/Silver tequila, you can pour it over rocks. Here‘s a refreshing tip for summer sipping from the folks at Milagro Tequila:

Serve Silver tequila on the rocks with a sprig of spanked mint.

Least you think that “spanked” mint is something kinky: Just crush the mint lightly in your hand to release some of the essential oil inside. It’s a tip to use with all fresh herbs, whether you’re adding rosemary to a marinade or basil to a sauce.

Tequila on the rocks: no mixing required. Photo courtesy Milagro Tequila.

A long, stick-like gadget (the muddler), similar to a mortar-and-pestle effect, is used for crushing.

You can exchange the mint for fruit and turn tequila on the rocks to red, white and blue tequila shooters.

Just add a spoonful of purée or fruit juice to the shot glass:

 
FOOD TRIVIA

While explorers of the New World brought much exciting food back to Europe (cacao/chocolate, potatoes, tomatoes and turkey, for starters), they contributed two pretty essential foods to the New World: distilled spirits (they taught the Aztecs how to turned the original fermented mezcal into tequila) and honey.

Check out the history of Tequila.