Tag: Drinking rituals

The practice of licking salt before downing a tequila shot became popularized in the mid-20th century as a way to make lower-quality, harsh-tasting tequila more palatable. This widely known ritual is based on centuries of tradition, flavor enhancement, and a little bit of physiological science.

The salt-and-lime ritual with tequila dates back to the late 19th century when distillers often produced a crude, harsh spirit. This tradition is a primary reason why people lick salt with alcohol, a practice rooted in both historical necessity and sensory science.