Drink a Tequila Shot

In Mexico, tequila's homeland, people often drink it straight, sometimes with a side of sangrita. Outside of Mexico, however, it's common for tequila to be served as a shot, along with salt and a slice of lime or lemon. These additions help to compensate for the harshness of lower-quality tequila, and are consumed in a specific order, as outlined below.

Steps

 * 1)  Briefly lick the skin between your thumb and forefinger.
 * 2) Sprinkle a small pinch of salt onto the area. The saliva makes it stick.
 * 3) Hold one slice of lime with your thumb and index finger, using the same hand that contains the salt.
 * 4) Breathe out, lick the salt, and down your tequila shot. Bite the lime before you breathe in again, so you don't taste the liquor as much. When you drink the shot, throw your head back and try to swallow all of the tequila in one gulp.

Tips

 * This is often done in groups, with everyone following these steps simultaneously.
 * Advice on how to drink a shot quickly varies; some people advise you inhale before taking the shot, others recommend exhaling.
 * For a fun variation, ask someone to lend his or her hand (or other part) for the salt.
 * If you purchase high-quality tequila such as Patron, salt and lime are not needed. They will cancel out the better flavors that high-quality tequila affords.
 * Another way to take a tequila shot involves putting a dash of tabasco sauce into the tequila shot. This sinus-clearing shot is referred to as "the Prairie Fire."
 * It is also possible to attempt the "Tequila Strong Love". One person takes the salt in his/her mouth, and then makes out with the drinker. After that the person takes the lime in his/her mouth, a bit stuck out, so the drinker can easily bite it. Take it easy, as you can miss the lime or lemon and bite the tongue instead.

Warnings

 * Drink responsibly.
 * This way of drinking, specially if low quality tequila is involved, can lead to a long talk with the toilet.

Things You'll Need

 * One shot glass
 * One shot of tequila
 * Slice of lemon or lime
 * Small quantity of salt