Is rosé tequila the new trend? Is it just regular tequila that looks pink? With its appealing look and hints of sweet and fruity flavors that are perfect for sipping on the rocks or in a cocktail, this tequila is quickly becoming a popular alternative to the classic Silver or Blanco tequila.
In this article, you'll learn everything you need to know about Rosé, pink, and rosa tequila -yes, the same one can go by any of those names. This tequila has taken the spirits market by storm as well as a few recommendations to help you try it.
Why is some tequila pink?
When we think of tequila, we think of a bottle of clear, transparent beverage, or even a golden brown one. But the tequila world has much more to offer, like pink tequila! Rosé, rosa, or rosado tequila is a variety of tequila you can distinguish for its unique pink color.
Pink tequila can take this hue after resting in red wine casks or when it's mixed with other ingredients such as strawberries and pink grapefruit. This not only gives the tequila a unique color but also a fruity, sweet flavor.
Known as rosé, rosa, or rosado, this pink tequila is much more than a nice pink hue, offering unique flavors. And no, it does not get its hue from artificial colors added -at least not ones made by reputable brands.
Related: Types of Tequila
How is pink tequila made?
While all tequila is made from the agave plant, the color changes naturally during the aging process, with the process and length of aging determining the color of the final product.
In the case of pink tequila, the tequila itself starts as clear tequila and turns pink by being placed inside red wine oak barrels. This is also what gives it the name, Rosé tequila.
Rosé Tequila
While most tequilas in the market have rested in whiskey casks, such as Bourbon, or virgin oaks casks, Rosé tequila rests for one to three months in French oak red wine barrels that were used to produce Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Bordeaux, and even Port, depending on the brand.
This is where Rosé tequila gets its subtle pink color, and also its unique vibrant, fruity flavors.
What does Rosé Tequila taste like?
Rosé tequila is more than tequila with a pinkish color: the taste is different from any other type of tequila. From mild floral and fruity notes from Cabernet casks to sweet, vanilla, and cherry flavors from Bordeaux barrels, rosé tequila takes the taste profile from the casks where it was aged.
Rosé tequila is slightly less "peppery" than silver or blanco tequila, similar to Joven tequila, which has about the same amount of aging time.
How to Enjoy Rosé Tequila
You can enjoy rosé tequila neat or on the rocks to savor the soft complexity of flavors and texture, or make cocktails, like a Classic Margarita with a pink twist!
What is Rosa Tequila
Rosa tequila, also called "rosado", is similar to rosé tequila since it turns pink by resting in barrels previously used for red wine. Rosé as in the color pink is rosa in Spanish.
In a few cases, depending on the distillery, rosa tequila may become pink by another method, such as grapefruit peel being soaked in the tequila; and in this case, the taste will be much more citrusy.
What does Rosa Tequila Taste Like?
Citrus notes from grapefruit are predominant in rosa tequila. It's fresh, bright, and sweet, with an intense agave taste.
How to Enjoy Rosa Tequila
Pour rosa tequila into a glass and sip it on the rocks neat or with soda water for a refreshing and bubbly touch. You can also enjoy it as the star ingredient of your favorite tequila cocktails.
What is Tequila Rose
Tequila Rose is the name brand for the tequila version of Baileys. It's a pink blend of strawberry cream and tequila. Its alcoholic content by volume (abv) is around 15%, far from the 40% of rosé and rosa tequila, so it's not as strong, and it's meant to be served chilled.
What does Tequila Rose taste like?
Think spiked strawberries and cream, and you have the taste of tequila rose. It's hardly comparable to tequila by itself, with a lower alcoholic volume since the cream is part of the equation. In the end, Tequila Rose is smooth and creamy and tastes like a sweet strawberry milkshake where the alcohol flavor is barely detectable.
How to Enjoy Tequila Rose
This creamy drink can be enjoyed chilled on the rocks or neat, mixed into your favorite cocktails, poured over ice cream, or used as cream mixed with coffee.
Where to Buy Pink Tequila
Rosé tequila, also known as pink tequila, is a relatively new trend in the spirits industry that has taken the market by storm.
You can buy these pink tequilas online or at your local liquor store. Prices can go from $24 to $65 depending on the brand, the tequila type, and the size of the bottle. I'm also including a link to the Tequila Rose in case deliciously creamy spirits are your thing.
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