Tequila has to be one of the ultimate party drinks. It can be knocked back neat, swallowed in between a lick of salt and a bite of lime, or added to a host of cocktails, and it is a staple in bars and clubs in many countries around the world.

The beverage is made in Mexico from the blue agave plant, which looks like a cactus but is in fact a relative of the lily. Farmers remove its sharp leaves by hand, leaving just the heart of the plant. This is then steamed in brick ovens to convert its starches to sugars, before it is passed through a mill to produce a sweet water. This liquid is fermented with yeast and distilled to create tequila. Broadly speaking, there are four types of the tipple and these are white, gold, rested and aged.

For parties and nights out, tequila cocktails are perfect and the margarita is the most popular cocktail in the UK. To make this drink, the beverage is added to orange liqour and fresh lime juice, and it is served with ice cubes and a lime wedge garnish. For best results, the glass should have a salted rim too.

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