Don Julio Rosado Is a Perfect Tequila Rosé

Aged in wine casks, Tequila Don Julio Rosada is the latest refinement in pink tequila, imparting a light fruit finish and rosy hue.

If you like agave spirits, you've no doubt noticed a surge of tequila rosé and rosa styles hitting shelves over the past few years—from George Strait’s Codigo 1530 Rosa to Adam Levine’s Calirosa line to Komos Reposado Rosa. It wasn’t until this week, however, that one of the biggest names in agave spirits decided to throw its hat in the pink ring. The early consensus is that Don Julio Rosado is one of the best bottlings the style has offered up yet.

What Makes Tequila Pink?

Turning tequila pink doesn’t require food coloring or strawberry juice or anything quite so heinous. Instead, it involves an age-old tradition: cask finishing. It's used by nearly every spirit type from whiskey to gin to rum and beyond. For rosa tequila, that generally means taking a blanco or reposado tequila and sticking it in a red wine barrel from France, California, or someplace else for a few weeks to a number of months. Those red wine barrels impart the rosy color. The longer the finishing period, the more red the resulting spirit.

For Tequila Don Julio Rosado, the brand decided to take things a step further, opting to use Port wine casks—a favorite finishing choice of the Scotch industry—as well as reposado tequila. 

“It is an exquisite reposado tequila that’s aged at least four months in ruby port wine casks from the Douro wine region of Northern Portugal to impart a light fruit finish and delicate pink hue,” says Karina Sanchez Huitrón, global brand ambassador for Tequila Don Julio.

A Tequila for the Daytime

Tequila and agave spirits overall are skyrocketing in popularity, primed to surpass whiskey and vodka as the most popular spirit in the U.S. For Don Julio, it’s all about remaining at the forefront of luxury innovation.

“As we started noticing a shift in consumption behavior toward the daytime, we wanted to create an option for adults to enjoy during these high-tempo occasions that are growing in popularity,” Huitrón says. “What we saw with Tequila Don Julio 1942 is that it’s a quality, luxury spirit that has become synonymous with nightlife celebrations. As we introduce Tequila Don Julio Rosado, we're excited to bring the same high-energy vibes now to daytime occasions, whether sipping poolside with friends or celebrating at a beach club.”

Tequila Don Julio Rosado Tasting Notes

Tequila Don Julio Rosado features notes of creamy strawberry, ripe raspberry, dried plum, roasted caramel, and a touch of cocoa with a light fruit finish, creating a smooth tequila. On the nose, you get aromas of honeyed agave, dark red fruit, cocoa, and hints of caramel.

How to Drink Tequila Rosé

Don Julio recommends enjoying its Rosado tequila on the rocks or with a splash of sparkling water and lemon garnish. Huitrón suggests pairing the pink tequila with appetizers, tapas, or soft cheeses, nuts, and dried fruits, “making it the perfect invitation to celebrate in the daytime"—as the following adapted spritz recipe will confirm. 

Tequila Don Julio Rosado Spritz

Ingredients:

• 1½ ounce Tequila Don Julio Rosado
• Splash of sparkling water
• Lemon wedge

Instructions:

1. Add 1.5 ounces of Tequila Don Julio Rosado to an ice-filled coupe glass. 
2. Top with a splash of sparkling water. 
3. Garnish with lemon wedge.

[$115; donjulio.com]