How to Make a Tequila Flight with Mexican Sangritas

Quick Summary: A traditional tequila or mezcal tasting paired with two Mexican sangritas, the non-alcoholic chasers that cleanse the palate between sips. The orange sangrita pairs with blanco and reposado, the tomato version with anejo. Includes recipes for both. Prep: 15 min | Makes: 10 servings

Jump to: RECIPE | What is a Sangrita? | Tequila vs Mezcal | How to Assemble a Flight | Tequila and a Slow Carb Diet | Sangrita Recipes | FAQ

While vacationing in Santa Fe, we had a memorable dinner at a wonderful restaurant called Sazón. It was there where I learned the traditional way to taste tequila and mezcal, with two different sangritas served alongside.

We ordered a tequila flight and the bartender came out to our table and gave us a delightful education on the difference between mezcal and tequila, and how the sangritas were meant to be sipped, not shot, between tastes of each spirit.

An orange sangrita was paired with the lighter blanco and reposado, while a tomato-based sangrita complemented the smokier anejo.

It was so much fun learning the nuances of tequila and mezcal and how to do a proper tasting.

I’m excited to share the experience with you so that you too can put together an extraordinary tequila flight at home.

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What Is a Sangrita?

Sangrita (sahn-GREE-tah) is a non-alcoholic Mexican drink served alongside tequila or mezcal, as part of the tasting experience of a tequila flight.

The name means “little blood,” referring to its traditional reddish. Despite the similar name, sangrita has no relation to sangria.

The purpose of a sangrita is to cleanse and refresh the palate between sips of tequila. It is sipped, not shot, alternating with small tastes of the spirit. The citrus and spice highlight different notes in the tequila and resets your taste buds for the next sip.

There are two main styles:

• Orange-based sangrita: Bright and citrusy, traditionally paired with blanco and reposado tequilas
• Tomato-based sangrita: Richer and more savory, traditionally paired with anejo tequilas and mezcals

Mezcal vs Tequila

Basically, all Tequilas are Mezcals but not all Mezcals are Tequilas.  The difference was explained to my dinner party by the owner of Sazón restaurant in Santa Fe, New Mexico (a wonderful, wonderful restaurant that we had to visit several times).   

Mezcal is the broad category for any spirit distilled from agave. It can be made from over 30 different agave species and produced in several Mexican states.

Mezcal is traditionally roasted in earthen pits lined with lava rocks, then distilled in clay pots. This gives it a characteristic smoky flavor that is distinguishable from tequila. It also tends to taste sweeter, or richer, than tequila.

Tequila is a specific type of mezcal made only from blue Weber agave, produced only in designated regions of Mexico (primarily Jalisco).

The agave is typically steamed in industrial ovens and distilled in copper pots, resulting in brighter citrus and vegetal notes without the smokiness.

Basically Mezcal is artisanal, varied, and smoky, whereas Tequila is going to have brighter citrus notes, fruit characteristics, and a vegetal component. 

Age categories for both:

• Blanco/Joven: Unaged or aged less than 2 months. Bright, sharp, agave-forward.
• Reposado: Aged 2 to 12 months. Mellower, with hints of oak.
• Anejo: Aged 1 to 3 years. Deeper color, richer flavor, more oak influence.

How to Assemble a Tequila or Mezcal Flight

A traditional flight includes three pours representing the three age categories: blanco, reposado, and anejo.

1. Arrange three small glasses (called caballitos in Mexico) left to right from youngest to oldest.
2. Pour about 1 ounce of each spirit.
3. Use 100% agave spirits only. In the U.S., tequila can legally contain as little as 51% agave. These “mixto” tequilas will not showcase the flavors you want.
4. Prepare both sangritas and pour into small glasses alongside the flight.
5. Sip the orange sangrita after tasting the blanco and reposado.
6. Sip the tomato sangrita after tasting the anejo.

The idea is to alternate: sip tequila, sip sangrita, pause, repeat. This is a tasting, not a drinking contest.

Orange Sangrita Recipe

The orange sangrita is bright and citrus-forward, designed to complement the sharper notes in blanco and reposado tequilas.

1. Combine in a small pitcher:
   • 4 ounces fresh orange juice
   • 3 ounces fresh lime juice
   • 2 ounces grenadine or pomegranate juice
   • 1/2 to 1 teaspoon chile powder (chile de árbol or cayenne)
   • 1/2 teaspoon salt
2. Stir well and chill before serving.
3. Taste and adjust lime, sweetness, or heat as needed.

Tomato Sangrita Recipe

The tomato-based sangrita is richer and more savory, designed to stand up to the deeper, oakier flavors of anejo tequila and the smokiness of mezcal.

1. Combine in a small pitcher:
   • 4 ounces fresh orange juice
   • 4 ounces tomato juice
   • 2 ounces fresh lime juice
   • 1/2 to 1 teaspoon ancho chile powder
   • 1/2 teaspoon salt
   • A small pinch of sugar or a splash of grenadine (optional, to balance acidity)
2. Stir well and chill before serving.

Regional Variations of Sangritas

Sangrita recipes vary across Mexico and from bar to bar.

• Jalisco (traditional style): The original sangritas from Jalisco, where tequila originated, were often just orange juice, lime, and chile. No tomato. This style emphasizes citrus brightness.
• Mexico City and central Mexico: Tomato juice became a popular addition, creating the version many Americans recognize. This style is closer to a virgin Bloody Mary crossed with citrus.
• Northern Mexico: Some versions include pomegranate juice or Worcestershire sauce, reflecting border influences.
• Modern craft bars: Contemporary versions may incorporate passion fruit, tamarind, or other tropical elements, though purists consider these departures from tradition.

The “correct” version depends on where you are and who taught you.

Is Tequila Allowed on a Slow Carb Diet?

OK, before you start the debate, I’m not saying Tequila is a health tonic with proven nutritional benefits.  I’m just saying…..it’s all relative. 

When you compare tequila to other spirits it does seem to have a few unique benefits.  It’s not going to beat red wine in the health benefits arena, but it’s a nice option at times, and it has zero carbs.

First, of all distilled spirits are allowed on a slow carb or keto diet, as long as they are not flavored spirits and as long as you don’t add sugary mixers (like tonic) to them. 

Now, that doesn’t mean you can party-hearty every night without impact to your slow carb lifestyle. 

Alcohol is primarily empty calories and it is processed first in the liver, similar to fructose, so you do need to be moderate. 

And then there is the idea of letting down all those inhibitions around the high carb foods prevalent when dining out.  So, be warned.  Those are the caveats.

This is a great chart summarizing the relative amounts of calories, etc. of different alcohols.

Secondly, to experience any of the purported benefits of tequila, only purchase tequila that is made from 100% agave.  

In Mexico, the law dictates that tequila may only be made with the blue Weber agave plant and only in certain regions.  In the U.S., however, tequila can be made with as little as 51 percent agave supplemented with other sugar sources.

Tequila is made up of indigestible sugars (agavins) that moves through your body without spiking blood sugar.  According to some studies, these agavins have also been found to stimulate your metabolism, unlike most alcohol, which slows down your metabolism.

Lastly, tequila is said to aid digestion after a meal, as it adds probiotics.

Just remember that a glass or two of red wine is going to be more nutritionally beneficial than a flight of tequila, but hey, having options is a good thing IMHO.

Of course you could always go with both red wine and then replace the brandy with tequila in this sangria recipe.

Interested in the Slow Carb Diet? Check out this comprehensive E-Guide on Fat Loss through a Slow Carb Diet.

More Tequila Cocktails

• This Mexican Christmas Punch (ponche navideño) is great with tequila
• Try this Spicy Cranberry Margarita with your own homemade simple syrup for the holidays;
• or enjoy one of these Mexican celebration food dishes with your tequila flight;
• or add a little tequila to one of these non-alcoholic Mexican drinks

FAQ

Check out this complete guide to stocking your pantry for Mexican cooking, from everyday meals to holiday celebrations.

Cheers!!