‘Tequila is best enjoyed by sipping – shooting it down doesn’t give it the respect it deserves.’
So says etiquette expert William Hanson, who in a viral TikTok video with over one million views, explains that doing shots of tequila – is wrong.
In the video, filmed at Mexican restaurant Cavita on Wigmore Street, London, Mr Hanson says: ‘We don’t shoot it back in a shot form. Instead, in Mexico, the correct etiquette is to sip tequila. And if you need to, in between, you can use lime or orange and salt, which you suck to cleanse the palette.’
MailOnline Travel asked Mr Hanson if shots are ever acceptable.
He said: ‘Tradition in Mexico suggests that tequila is a noble drink best tasted and enjoyed by sipping. Shooting it down somewhat diminishes it and doesn’t give it the respect it deserves.
‘Tequila is best enjoyed by sipping – shooting it down doesn’t give it the respect it deserves,’ says etiquette expert William Hanson. In a viral TikTok video with over one million views, Mr Hanson explains that doing shots of tequila – is wrong
‘Needless to say, it is widely believed to be the Americans who cultivated the “shoot it” culture.’
So, should one turn down doing shots if offered?
Mr Hanson said: ‘For some, a night out isn’t complete without doing shots of tequila. Bless them. If you are not a shots sort of person, don’t feel you need to do shots to fit in. Be yourself. Politely decline and drink whatever you want properly. Equally, never pressure anyone to do a shot.’
The etiquette expert revealed that the correct glassware for tequila is a flute glass – ‘as it heightens the aromas and funnels them upwards to the nose’.
Mr Hanson said: ‘For some, a night out isn’t complete without doing shots of tequila. Bless them. If you are not a shots sort of person, don’t feel you need to do shots to fit in’
In the video, Mr Hanson takes a sip of tequila and reveals that it is the first time he’s ever tried it.
And the verdict?
He said: ‘It was very strong and I am so thankful I didn’t need to – incorrectly – shoot it back or else I’d have been on the floor.
‘I could appreciate why many like it, but it won’t be being worked into my drinks repertoire.’
Mr Hanson revealed that his go-to party drink is a gin and tonic – ‘a tall glass with regular London dry gin, none of these new flavoured gins’ – or a gin and Dubonnet ‘if I’m feeling really wild’.
For more from William visit his TikTok here and Instagram here. He can be found tweeting at twitter.com/williamhanson.