Fourteen members of the ‘Myth Busters Challenge Panel’ debated the issue, ruling that bar staff who claim they can’t provide salt and lemon are ‘misusing’ health and safety legislation.
The panel said: “There is no workplace health and safety legislation that prohibits the service of salt and lemon with Tequila. This looks like a case of quoting an easy excuse - possibly to cover up poor customer service. The bar should simply serve the drink in the traditional way as requested.”
Licking salt and sucking lemons is usually used to disguise the taste of cheaper Tequilas.
Sales of the spirit are up 25% according to CGA strategy CEO Phil Tate and the category was one of the few in growth according to a recent report from the Wine and Spirit Trade Association.