Does a Margarita Taste Better With Silver or Gold Tequila?

One of the most popular classic cocktails among leisure-lovers all across the Americas is the margarita, as they deliver a perfect marriage of sweet, sour, and salty. Traditionally made with fresh lime juice, tequila, and orange liqueur, margaritas are served blended with ice or unblended and poured over ice (also known as “on the rocks”). They can be perfectly customized down to every last detail using a wide range of fruits, flavors, different quality liquors, liqueurs, and garnishes.  

However, there is age-old, ongoing dispute over which type of tequila makes a better margarita; light or dark? Some will say that a true margarita is made with aged gold tequila, while many others will argue that Blanco tequila is the best.

If you love margaritas but have never understood which kind of tequila to order them with, you are not alone. Continue reading to learn the difference between silver and gold tequila, and some tips on using them to make margaritas.

Downtown Indianapolis Margarita Specials
Downtown Indianapolis Margarita Specials 317-822-5070

Gold Tequila is Aged Tequila

Gold tequila is colloquially referred to as dark tequila, or aged tequila. This version is made by distilling the juice from a blue agave plant and turning it into a liquor. Most dark tequila brands that are not aged are not 100% pure agave. They are usually mixes that only contain around 51% agave tequila.

Dark tequila can get its color from two different places: wood barrels or caramel additives. For instance, Reposado (rested) in 200-liter white oak barrels for at least 2 months, while Añejo (aged) tequila is aged for 12 months. Reposado and Añejo are the only tequilas that have to be aged according to regulations.

Aside from wood barrels, the dark color can also come from caramel coloring and sugar that is added to the batch before fermentation. Most of the time, these additives are for the purpose of mimicking the gold hue of high quality aged tequilas. However, they are also attributed to giving the tequila a smoother taste, which is why they are the preferred choice for taking shots.

Silver Tequila is Agave Tequila

Silver tequila is also known as light, white, or Blanco tequila since it has a clear, transparent color similar to vodka or gin. It is distilled in stainless steel containers and can be either 100% pure agave or a mix. Similar to dark tequila, it is derived from the blue agave plant and distilled into a liquor, but the rather than aging, it is usually bottled right after distillation. In fact, it is rarely ever aged, and if so, only for a very short amount of time. This makes many tequila drinkers believe that it has a harsher taste, given that it is not aged like higher quality tequilas.

Choosing a Tequila for Your Margarita

When it comes to making a great, classic margarita, the truth is that both light and dark tequilas are well-suited for the job; it really comes down to personal preference. But if you were to ask the professionals, they will likely tell you to go for the Gold. Gold tequila tends to have sweeter notes and a smoother finish, making them especially perfect for frozen margaritas.

Ready for a frosty, frothy margarita customized to your liking? Visit English Ivy’s in Downtown Indianapolis for daily food and drink specials and more! Join us every Wednesday for $4 margaritas, $7 Patrons, and $3 Coronas! We also accept takeout and call ahead orders!

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Downtown Indianapolis Bar Restaurant
317-822-5070

Are There Any Alcoholic Beverages That are Keto Friendly?

When you are on the Keto diet, strict restrictions on food and beverage options are simply a part of the process. But when you are enduring so much dietary discipline, it can be hard to ignore the temptation to have a glass of wine or a frosty bottle of beer. But will a drink or two negatively impact your keto diet? Are there any alcoholic beverages that are Keto-friendly? Continue reading for some pertinent information on alcohol nutrition to confirm which drinks you can enjoy without throwing you out of ketosis.

Beer Wine Specials Downtown Indianapolis
Beer Wine Specials Downtown Indianapolis 317-822-5070

Alcohol Nutrition and Diet

No matter which kind of diet you are following, alcohol is not going to be a kind contribution. Not only is alcohol an appetite stimulant prompting you to eat more the more you drink, but it is also very calorie-dense, so even a little bit can add quite the punch to your daily caloric intake values. Furthermore, your body burns alcohol first before it burns any other fat or macro nutrients from food, which means whatever you put into your body aside from alcohol will be stored as fat.

With these factors in mind, there may still be some room for you to enjoy a drink or two depending on your particular ketogenic diet plan. The overall consensus among Keto enthusiasts and experts is that a person should consume no more than 50 grams of carbohydrates per day to remain in ketosis. Some prefer lower carb restrictions, while others indulge in the full allotment of carbs per day.

Wine and Keto

So long as you can enjoy it dry, red, white, or sparkling wine can absolutely be a Keto-friendly beverage! With the average 6 ounce glass of dry wine at only 2 grams of carbohydrates, you can see how you can fit a drink or two in for a special occasion or after a long day at the office. Beware of the sweeter wines however, which can have much higher quantities of sugar, and therefore, more carbohydrates, usually between 5 and 10 grams.

Beer and Keto

If you prefer an ice cold beer after a hard week’s work or on your fishing trip, you can do so while still remaining in ketosis. Many light beers are lower in carbs, such as Corona Premier with 2.6 carbs, Budweiser Select 55 Premium Light with an astonishing 1.8 grams of carbs, Miller Lite with 3 grams of carbs, and Michelob Ultra with 2.6 grams of carbs. Be careful with the darker or fuller bodied beers. After all, beer is known as “liquid bread” as it’s made from grains, so it can really affect a low carb diet plan.

Liquor and Keto

If you are not much of a beer or wine drinker, and instead prefer a harder cocktail, prepare to indulge as much as you like, within reason of course! Whiskey, vodka, and tequila have 0 carbohydrates. So long as you enjoy these spirits straight up or with a zero-calorie mixer (soda water is a popular choice), you are not going to throw off your ketosis. Keep in mind that these liquors still contain calories; just 1 ounce can have 70 calories. Additionally, liqueurs and cordials like Grand Marnier, triple sec, infused liqueurs, flavored liquors, simple syrups, grenadine, and similar cocktail additions are filled with sugar and carbs.

Are you looking for some great wine and beer specials in Downtown Indianapolis? Come to English Ivy’s Pub and Eatery tonight for $3 Domestics, $3 Wells, and $3 Wines! We are located on N. Alabama Street and have both lot and street parking available. Place carryout orders at 317-822-5070, anytime!

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Downtown Indianapolis Bar Restaurant
317-822-5070