When it comes to margaritas, tequila is a quintessential ingredient for this classic Mexican cocktail. So, choosing the best tequila for margaritas ensures you enjoy the best quality and tasting cocktail.
In fact, you can even find uniquely flavored tequilas to let you experiment with more nuanced and elevated flavors. To make the project easier, here’s our lineup of carefully selected tequila for margaritas you can start sampling.
20 Best Tequilas for Margaritas You Should Sample Today
Here are the 20 tequilas you can test out for your margaritas:
1. Herradura Directo Del Alambique Silver Tequila
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The Herradura Directo Del Alambique boasts an overall premium taste to make it ideal for sipping and as a classic margarita base. The tequila features a distinctively crisp agave taste with subtle hints of fruit and pepper to add to its sophisticated component in your cocktail.
The Blanco tequila gets this distinctive body from nearly two weeks in American oak casks to truly create a memorable cocktail recipe. However, you should expect to dig slightly deeper into your pockets for this silver tequila. It’s all worth the expense – after all, you’ll elevate the undertone flavors of your classic margarita!
More: 20 Best Blanco Tequila to Drink
2. Villa One Silver Tequila
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Villa One Silver tequila boasts a blend of roasted agave fruit which adds to its sweetness. The natural untapped sweetness comes from using 100% natural agave syrup with zero additives.
This makes tequila a pretty unique variety for making margaritas. What makes it particularly perfect for a margarita is mixing it with triple sec balances the dominating notes for a subtle, well-balanced savory margarita.
3. Exotico Blanco 100% Agave Tequila
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The Exotico Blanco 100% Agave Tequila is made with a pretty receptive taste to make it a perfect addition to any margarita. The reasonably priced tequila features a distinctive, crisp, and herbaceous taste annunciated by notes of spice and pepper.
As the name suggests, the Exotico Blanco also works great for elevated margarita recipes. Want to add blueberry syrup or pineapple juice for a berry or fruit-flavored margarita? The Exotico is an outstanding base for the cocktail, creating a flavorful sweet-savory explosion with just the right spicy notes.
Also check: Daiquiri vs Margarita: What’s the Difference?
4. Omelca Altos Plata
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Just because you are on a cash-strapped budget, it doesn’t mean you can enjoy great tasting homemade margaritas. You can still enjoy excellent tasting margaritas by using the budget-friendly Omelca Altos Plata tequila.
The tequila combines clean citrusy, briny, olive, and agave notes brought on by the unique growing conditions of the agave plants used in making this tequila. The tequila uses blue Weber agave sourced from the Los Altos region of Jalisco that lies 7000 feet above sea level. The high-proof tequila blends well with the lime juice in margaritas to make it an excellent tequila base.
More: 20 Best Costco Tequila Brands
5. Avion Reposado Tequila
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The Avion Reposado undergoes a unique filtering process to give it a clean and nuanced flavor, making it a perfect base for many cocktails. In fact, the tequila’s unique flavors make it among the top rated alcohol bases for many delicious cocktails.
Combining its proprietary filtering process and smart casking process, the Reposado tequila produces fine hints of peach, pear, vanilla, and oak for well-balanced tequila. You will not experience the extremely strong and stinging alcohol taste you get from margaritas made with poor quality tequila.
6. Don Julio Blanco Tequila
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Don Julio Blanco integrates a crisp unaged agave taste from its silver variety with subtle notes of citrus. This makes it great to enjoy neat, on the rocks, or added to your margarita.
The quaint citrusy flavors of the tequila do a good job of blending well with the lime juice in the margarita. On the other hand, the sweeter ingredients of the cocktail blend well with the tequila for a balanced finish.
7. Patron Roca Silver
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When it comes to the best quality tequila, patron never misses the list. So, it comes as no surprise that it makes one of the best tequila for making a classic Mexican cocktail,i.e. tequila. What makes this choice even more special is not just its premium quality.
The silver variety of this premium tequila provides younger oaked tequila with a strong flavor that blends well with the cocktail. You will also love how it offers the herbaceous and smooth taste of agave with hints of eucalyptus and black pepper to wake the cocktail up.
The best of using the premium Patron Roca Silver is you don’t have to break an arm and leg for a bottle.
8. Teremana Blanco Tequila
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The Teremana Blanco Tequila doesn’t emanate the classic flavors of tequila Blanco. Instead, in addition to the crisp agave taste, you will also enjoy hints of citrus and vanilla. Further, this high-proof Mexican tequila offers a smooth feel that works perfectly mixed in a margarita.
Note: You will like the handmade tequila, even more, when you discover it’s owned by Hollywood star, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
9. Elvelo Blanco Tequila
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The Elvelo Blanco Tequila is distilled to produce a complex blend of flavor notes that complement savory cocktails, like the margarita. The tequila Blanco rests in oak barrels for just 60 days to produce excellent-tasting unaged, distilled agave.
While its slightly higher 44.5% alcohol gives the tequila a stronger feel to cocktails, it still maintains a beautiful flavor profile to complement any cocktail. Its particular notes of grass, stone fruit, and green peppercorns make it a particularly excellent addition to a margarita.
10. Casamigos Reposado Tequila
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The Casamigos brand is no stranger t tequila lovers. The Reposado variety has been aged in oak barrels (used for whiskey making) to give it a pretty delicious caramel flavor. This, in turn, gives margaritas a sweetened twist.
You will also get beautiful hints of oak, vanilla, and tropical fruit. After all, according to co-founders, George Clooney and Rande Gerbere, Casamigos Reposado was intended to be smooth and sweet so it doesn’t have to be covered by salt or lime.
11. Casa Noble Tequila Crystal
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Thanks to its triple distilled process, the Casa Noble Tequila Crystal is one of the smoothest tequilas on the market. So, it works pretty well mixed in a cocktail. Made from 100% pure organic blue agave, the tequila offers a crisp agave flavor with delicate hints of citrus and honey.
If you are thinking of making a frozen margarita, there’s no better option on this list than the Casa Noble tequila.
12. El Tequileno Platinum Blanco Tequila
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The El Tequileno Platinum Blanco Tequila features a well-balanced body that remains consistent throughout. This makes it a fantastic base for margaritas while its light citrusy notes complement the lime juice in the cocktail for a mellow finish. However, the tequila Blanco comes with the promise of not overpowering the key ingredients of your margarita.
Note: It’s important to remember that El Tequileno Platinum is premium tequila. So, you should expect to pay alittle more for this high-end tequila than regular, commonly used tequila brands.
13. La Gritona Reposado Tequila
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The authentic agave flavor of La Gritona Reposado tequila makes it a perfect option for making classic margaritas. As a bonus, you will also enjoy the satisfying notes of pina fruit as you sip your margarita.
Note: If you have a sweet tooth, you are better off adding a sweet element (like fruit juice or liqueur) to counter the strong Reposado taste.
14. Espolon Tequila Blanco
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Whether it’s a classic margarita or a fruitier-elevated variety, the Espolon Tequila Blanco doesn’t disappoint as a base. This reasonably priced Blanco tequila combines impressive flavor notes to truly elevate the overall taste and feel of the cocktail on your palate.
The smooth Mexican handmade tequila offers a herbaceous, flora, fruity, and sweet fragrant agave taste that’s hard to resist. When mixed into your margarita, you will also get elegant after-notes of pepper and zesty lime. – Exactly what you want from a savory citrusy cocktail!
15. Milagro Reposado Tequila
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Aged for at least 60 days, the Milagro Reposado Tequila offers a smooth and balanced profile with just the right notes to complement different cocktails. Further, the smooth, balanced notes eliminate the sharp ting you get from cocktails mixed with strong alcoholic bases or the overpowering main ingredients in the cocktail.
The mellow notes of the tequila also make it a great sipper. In addition to the natural but, balanced agave taste, the tequila emanates notes of stone fruit and allspice. The 60-day aging process in the American oak barrels also gives the tequila a beautiful caramel finish.
16. Clase Azul Reposado
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The Clase Azul Reposado tequila impresses you with its exterior look – the unique artisan hand-painted bottle it comes in. However, it’s not only the bottle that should make you invest in this ultra premium distilled agave base.
Aged in oak casks for up to 8 months, the tequila offers a smooth yet, strong taste with spicy after-notes. This flavor profile pairs excellently with a classic margarita, elevating its flavors from a bland cocktail with a strong alcohol base that tingles on the throat.
17. Hornitos Lime shot Tequila
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If you want to add more flavor to your classic margarita, what better way than using flavored tequila? Now, you can complement your cocktail further by using the Hornitos lime-infused tequila. Infused with lime and a pinch of salt, the citrus-flavored tequila makes for a perfect sweet and sour alcohol base for any savory cocktail.
The tequila is also made from blue agave which gives it extra crisp and herbaceous note. In addition to adding tequila to a classic margarita, you can enjoy this distilled agave drink in a frozen margarita, or served cold on its own.
18. 21 Seeds Valencia Orange Tequila
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If you want to get a little more adventurous with your cocktail, how about adding a citrusy orange zing to your margarita? You can do so with the 21 Seeds Valencia Orange Tequila. The orange-infused tequila gives your cocktail a refreshing, summer taste and works great on a classic or frozen margarita.
The subtle orange element of the tequila also pairs pretty well with the triple sec or orange liqueur to give your margarita a good balance of sweet, sour, and savory. While this summer tequila complements your margarita, it also doubles as an excellent summer drink on its own. Chill it and enjoy it n the rocks or mixed with club soda.
19. Dulce Vida Pineapple Jalapeno Tequila
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The Dulce Vida Pineapple Jalapeno Tequila is perhaps the best option for when you want to experiment with different fruity flavors in your classic margarita. So, how about starting this project with a pineapple-infused margarita for an elegant summer cocktail?
The flavored tequila features blue Weber agave infused with natural pineapple juice and jalapeno to give it a sweet edge and spicy afternotes to truly wake your cocktail up.
20. 1800 Coconut Tequila
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Call us crazy, but, we are all about making the most of alcoholic drinks. Using the 1800 Coconut Tequila you can make the ultimate summer coconut-infused margarita. Sounds crazy? Well, of course, it does, but, you will love the flavors.
This tequila is made from blue agave infused with coconut for a naturally rich yet, crisp tequila taste. While the two ingredients may seem completely opposite to each other, they complement each other pretty well in this margarita base.
Pairing the tequila with orange liqueur, lime juice, and salt produces a uniquely delicious tropical summer cocktail.
Note: You can use additional fruit juice, like pineapple or orange, to add extra sweetness to your cocktail if the classic margarita ingredients are too intense for you.
21. Jose Cuervo Tradicional Plata Tequila
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Jose Cuervo is our personal bonus. While the brand of tequila isn’t particularly popular for use in sugary cocktails, the Tradicional Plata is an exception. The 100% pure agave, Blanco tequila complements a classic margarita pretty well.
It features a pleasantly mild agave taste with subtle notes of mint, grapefruit, and black pepper. The Blanco tequila also finishes off with a smooth feel and elegant floral and herbaceous notes. It’s safe to say that the Tradicional tequila complements any classic tequila-based cocktail and does well on its own served on the rocks.
22. Don Julio Blanco
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Don Julio is a premium top shelf tequila brand. So, it’s rare that many bars would use it in sugary cocktails rather than serving it neat or on the rocks. However, the Don Julio Tequila Blanco is a pretty impressive alcohol base you want to use in a classic or frozen margarita.
Its fine-tuned and the sophisticated profile adds positively to your cocktail for an elegant and smoother-tasting drink. The tequila Blanco is also clean and soft with a mild agave taste and complementary grapefruit and lime notes.
FAQs
Check out this section to give answers to more questions you may have on the best tequila for margaritas;
Is Jose Cuervo Good For Margaritas?
Jose Cuervo is not the best tequila when it comes to making margaritas. Nonetheless, it is still used by many bars and restaurants to make margaritas due to its affordability. The most common type of Jose Cuervo used is Jose Cuervo Especial Silver.
While it does work as a reasonable alcohol base for the cocktail, it has a nail polish body that makes its essence quickly disappear in cocktails. So, while it may add to the drink’s alcohol content, it doesn’t really add anything to the taste, rather than its strong alcohol kick.
After all, the tequila is made from 51% blue agave while the remaining 49% is made using other sugar sources, like cane sugar. in addition to the poor taste in your cocktail, you can guarantee a bad hangover the next morning if you chug down more than a glass.
If you plan on making your own classic margarita at home, you can opt for better alternatives that will afford you a more reasonable taste, such as the Jose Cuervo Tradicional Tequila Plata, a Blanco tequila made from 100% pure agave.
Which Tequila Is Best For Margaritas Silver Or Gold?
The choice of which tequila is best for margaritas depends entirely on your preference. Some people prefer to use silver while others use gold tequila. Silver tequila, also known as Blanco, in reference to its clear consistency is made of 100% pure agave or mix.
However, it doesn’t go through the aging process (sometimes aged in a short period), explaining its clear consistency and somewhat harsh taste. While this strong taste doesn’t make it the best sipper, it is a great shooter or cocktail base (for cocktails such as margaritas).
On the other hand, gold tequila is also made from pure agave plants mixed with other components – so it’s not 100% pure. In fact, this formula is what gives it its characteristic brown to amber or gold hue. Other brands also add caramel to the tequila to give it its gold color.
Gold tequila is typically aged in barrels and sometimes gets its color from this process. The aging process also improves the taste and smoothness, oozing notes of caramel and oak, to make it great for shooters and sipping.
Because Gold tequila is not made from 100% agave plant, it doesn’t offer the clean, crisp agave flavor many people love in their classic or frozen margaritas. But also, the smooth and sweet taste of gold tequila also makes it a preferred option amongst bartenders, particularly for making frozen margaritas.
Is Silver Or Reposado Tequila Better For Margaritas?
Whether Silver or Reposado tequila is better for margaritas entirely depends on your preferences. Silver, AKA Blanco tequila, is ideal for margaritas if you want to integrate a clean and crisp herbaceous agave taste into your margaritas.
On the other hand, if you want to enjoy a smoother margarita, Reposado tequila is what you should use as a base. Unbeknownst to many people, Reposado tequila is neither silver nor gold tequila. Instead, it falls in between the two.
While Silver tequila is not aged, Reposado is usually aged anywhere between 60 days and 36 months. Like gold tequila, Reposado also has a brown to golden hue although it’s not a longer-aged gold tequila.
What Type Of Tequila Is Best For Making Margaritas?
Generally, Reposado and Blanco (silver) tequila are the best for making margaritas. Reposado complements margaritas with its refined flavors while allowing the cocktail to be smoother. On the other hand, Blanco tequila is favored for its crisp and clean, straightforward agave taste it gives the margaritas.
Many Blanco tequilas also make the cocktail up with the spicy and peppery after notes they add to the savory cocktail. Keep in mind, however, you will enjoy the best flavors in your cocktail if you opt for Blanco or Reposado tequila made from 100% pure agave plant. You don’t want to go for options that feature agave complemented by other filler sugars or grains.
Can You Use Don Julio For Margaritas?
While Don Julio is top shelf tequila, you should not use it for margaritas. The premium taste Don Julio offers makes it unsuitable as a mixing base for cocktails. The tequila features a creamy smooth tasting body with rich and balanced caramel and smoky notes.
Therefore, it would be unfair to mask these beautiful notes with fruity lime juice or orange liqueur. Top shelf tequilas, such as Don Julio are best enjoyed on their own – neat or on the rocks to truly appreciate their flavors.
Typically, you don’t want to splurge too much on tequilas to use for margaritas. After all, most of these options usually have sophisticated flavors you want to enjoy without any extra components. As a general rule of thumb, don’t splurge on tequila for cocktails – as long as it’s 100 pure agave tequila, you will be just fine.
Conclusion
When it comes to the best tequila for margaritas nothing beats this lineup. From options for classic margaritas to those, you can use for your own special spin. Evidently, learning how to choose the right tequila for the margarita you want to enjoy is essential for ensuring the best taste and quality. So, with this list, you can rest assured that you’ll always get your hands on good starting margaritas from here on.