Best Tequila for Margaritas
Choosing the best tequila for margaritas isn’t as hard as you may think. In fact, in the world of making margaritas, the best tequila might just be the one you already have. If you are looking to try some new brands or wondering what is considered “the best”, we’ll help you discover that too.
When looking for a good tequila for margaritas, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the different types you’ll see at the store. While all tequilas come from the agave plant, there are some differences due to the aging process that gives them a distinct flavor and color.
We’ll run through some tequilas we’ve tried and tested ourselves and let you know the ones we reach for. This way, we can help you find the best tequila for your next margarita!
You can check out our ultimate margarita guide if you want to know even more about our favorite tequila cocktail.
What Are Different Types of Tequila?
Here are the most common tequila types:
Blanco
The most commonly used tequila for margarita recipes is plata or silver tequila. This unaged tequila, also called plata or silver tequila, is usually bottled after distillation. It has a crystal-clear color and offers a strong agave flavor and usually has notes of pepper, herbs, and citrus.
But we’ll be super honest with you, the average tequila drinker (us included) isn’t going to be able to distinguish those distinct flavors.
Reposado
A Reposado tequila, also known as aged tequila, has been aged in oak barrels for up to a year. This process gives the alcohol a nice, golden color and oak, caramel, and vanilla notes. It’s a little bit more flavorful than blanco, which is why you may want to grab this to sip on its own.
Many people do like to add this to their margarita because of that extra flavor. But again, it’s a pretty mild difference that may or may not stand out to you.
Añejo
Also known as extra-aged tequila, Añejo spends a lot of time (up to three years) stored in oak barrels. This process gives it a rich, deep amber color and complex oak and vanilla notes.
It’s best sipped independently but can be used in margaritas if want. We are firm believers that if you like it, do it, no matter what the “rules” are.
And as many añejos cost more because of this longer process, we don’t think it’s usually the best choice for margaritas.
Related: Easy 3 Ingredient Margarita Recipe (A Classic Margarita)
How to Choose a Good Tequila for Margaritas
While we aren’t professional mixologists (we just love a good margarita), we’ve sampled many different brands and types of tequila. Below are the factors we consider for judging how good a tequila is:
Cost
Price is one of our primary considerations for tequila. With tequila, you can’t automatically assume that a pricey bottle is the best. With all of the celebrity brands and large drink companies the price is often on the higher end with a low-ish quality tequila. But you also don’t want to grab the cheapest.
Our suggestion is to take note of what they use in your cocktail or margarita when you are out at a bar. They typically won’t be using something awful or super high-priced in their drink program. It’s a good way to start getting familiar with brands chosen by someone who knows what they are doing with cost analysis in mind.
Ingredients
We always look for tequilas made from 100% Blue Weber Agave, as they are considered to be high-quality tequilas. While they may not always list the full ingredient list on the bottle, if it matters to you, you can do a little research at home. You want to stay away from tequila that has additives or too much or too little water.
Packaging and Presentation
While not a major factor, we appreciate brands that make a good first impression based on the quality of their packaging and whether the bottle will look attractive on a home cart. But for some brands (like Clase Azul), the bottles help them to drive the price up because they are so recognizable.
But if you want to make a Clase Azul margarita, you may need to splurge.
Can you drink it by itself?
We’re biased towards tequilas that you can mix in margaritas AND sip neat (or with just some club soda and lime). If they’re only usable in cocktails, then they’re not very good and may make you think twice before making tequila-based cocktails at home.
Tasting Notes
As I mentioned above, you may not be able to detect specific flavor notes. However, you can observe how sipping the tequila makes you feel. Did it make your mouth feel tingly? Did it burn going down your throat?, or was the tequila smooth? Does it taste too spicy or peppery, overpowering the agave notes?
Best Tequila for Margaritas
We will have a full tequila review category as we grow the site. We’ve tasted a BUNCH. And while we aren’t experts, we do enjoy tequila. Like, a lot.
Cimarron Tequila
For me (Sharon) I would say this is the best tequila for margaritas.
While I like to try as many different tequilas as possible, the Cimarron Blanco is something I’ve purchased a few times. It’s so so so good, especially in margaritas.
$27 a bottle makes it accessible. It was recommended to me to buy the owner of a small mom-and-pop liquor store and she has never done me wrong.
Gran Centenario Tequila
Suzy’s favorite tequila for margaritas is Gran Centenario Tequila. It’s super smooth and complements the citrus flavors found in her favorite drink.
Her dad introduced it to her and her whole family loves it, including her cousins uncles and aunts. It’s the only tequila they reach for for parties and get-togethers. It’s also the number one tequila in Mexico right now.
It’s about $27/bottle and can be found at Total Wine.
Cazadores Blanco Tequila
While we don’t have a full review on the site yet, a bottle that I consistently reach for, especially when I am making margaritas for a crowd, is Cazadores. Suzy and I did a tequila tasting in Cabo a few years ago and this was a brand they shared with us.
It’s super reasonably priced (about $18/bottle), can be sipped on its own, and is pretty dang smooth. For these reasons, this is one of the best tequilas to use for margaritas.
A few years ago I was tasked with buying Casamigos for some friends of a friend for an overnight trip. The store I went to didn’t have it. So I brought Cazadores instead. Everybody enjoyed it. A lot. It is a crowd-pleaser.
El Tesoro Tequila
This bottle was recommended to me by Miss Agave and it did not disappoint. It’s so smooth and easy to drink. It’s a little on the pricey side (about $42/bottle) and is considered a premium tequila. It’s pretty easy to find and seems to be authentic.
I also like to drink tequila sodas (tequila plus club soda with a squeeze of lime) and typically use something a little nicer in those since you can taste the tequila more than with a margarita. And this is a great tequila for that.
Santo Tequila
In the world of celebrity tequila, I really enjoyed Santo from Guy Fieri. It is very smooth and mixes well with citrus. It is also on the pricier side ($51/bottle) but is great in a margarita. Not sure how authentic it is but I would buy a bottle again.
DeLeon Tequila
Full transparency: a high-profile rapper currently on trial and associated with baby oil was somehow involved in this brand and some point. I think they parted ways long before everything came to light, which is great because this tequila tastes GOOD.
Considered premium and around $50/bottle, this one is super smooth and can be sipped on its own (ask me about Fourth of July 4 years ago… ooof) and used in margaritas. YUM.
Clase Azul Tequila
Based on the tequilas we’ve tested, Clase Azul Tequila can be considered one of the best Blanco tequila for margaritas – but only if you’re making upgraded margs like Cadillac or Presidente!
We rated this a 4 out of 5. We highly enjoyed this tequila’s smooth, delicious taste, and it didn’t burn. Plus, the agave notes stood out nicely, along with the light oak we picked out. The packaging is also very pretty – you’ll want to display the bottle for everyone to admire.
However, at a starting price of $149.99, it is WAY too expensive—even for a premium tequila. You’re likely to find other, cheaper options that taste just as good.
This is the bottle for you if you like status bottles or if you are serving it to friends that go for the most expensive thing on the menu.
Read the full Clase Azul Tequila Review
Mayenda Blanco Tequila
Mayenda Blanco Tequila is another brand that scored a 4 out of 5 from us. It’s one of our favorite bottles!
We love that it goes down smoothly and has a nice, clean aftertaste. Its rich flavor profile would perfectly complement the citrus notes of a classic or spicy margarita recipe.
The price of a bottle starts at $70, which, while not as expensive as Clase Azul, is still a bit of a splurge. If Mayenda were a bit cheaper, it’d easily get a 5 from us.
Read the full Mayenda Blanco Tequila Review
Other Tequilas we’ve reviewed
In conclusion, use what you have. A good margarita is truly the sum of all its parts. The fresh lime juice and sweetness from the orange liqueur can help out a struggling tequila. So don’t think just because you don’t have a “good” bottle, that you can’t mix one up.
If you’re looking to buy a new bottle, I always enjoy chatting with people at Total Wine. If they aren’t into tequila, they still know what sells well, so you’ll get an informed suggestion.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your preferences. Silver tequilas are a popular choice for margaritas because their smooth, clean taste allows the flavors of lime juice and the best orange liqueur to shine through, resulting in a balanced drink. However, a Reposado (or gold tequila) gives margaritas a slightly richer, more complex taste.
While I prefer blanco, you can truly use what you like best.
Unopened tequila bottles practically have an indefinite shelf life. Once opened, it’s best to use the tequila within one year; otherwise, it will begin to lose its flavor. But I have bottles that are several years old that I can’t tell the difference, so consider tequila good for a long time.
We hope this list helps you find the best tequila for margaritas! Let us know in the comments below what you thought about these brands, and what we should review next!
