Your Guide to the Best Tequila for Margaritas
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Keen to level up your cocktail game with the best tequila for Margaritas? Todo bien, amigo! From smooth and silky blancos to aged and complex reposados, we’ve scoured global shelves and tasted our way through the world’s most popular tequilas to bring you the best options to elevate your Margarita experience. So, grab your cocktail shaker and a pinch of salt, because it’s time to raise a glass to the top tequila for Margaritas of 2024.
What’s in a Margarita?
Ah, the beloved Margarita—it’s the queen of cocktails and the ultimate thirst-quencher! This classic drink features a tangy mix of tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur. Served over ice and rimmed with salt, it strikes the perfect balance of sweet and sour. The tequila brings the punch, while the lime juice adds a zesty kick, and the orange liqueur adds a touch of sweetness.
Whether you’re sipping it on a sandy beach or clinking it at home, a Margarita is always a good idea if you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing cocktail. It’s no wonder it has inspired its very own annual day of appreciation.
How to choose the best tequila for Margaritas
When selecting the best tequila for Margaritas, we like to keep the following three quintessential rules of thumb in mind:
Choose 100% agave tequila
You can follow the best Margarita recipe in the world, but if you are not using 100% agave tequila, it’s always going to feel like it’s lacking something essential. Unlike mixed tequilas, which may contain additives and artificial sugars, 100% agave tequila is made purely from the agave plant, offering a smoother and more authentic taste.
Learn more: What’s the Difference Between Mezcal and Tequila?
Select an authentic tequila
Did you know that for a tequila to be classified as authentic, it must be produced in one of the five designated regions in Mexico where the Weber blue agave grows? If not, it’s simply considered an agave spirit. These regions were officially identified by the Mexican government and the Consejo Regulador del Tequila.
Authentic tequila is also carefully crafted using a traditional process that involves cooking, fermenting, and distilling the agave juice to create a smooth and distinctive flavor.
Read next: 13 Easy Tequila Summer Cocktails for Beginners
Consider types of tequilas for Margaritas (blanco, joven & reposado)
The best Margarita recipes call for high-quality tequila – this we know – but what type is the best suited for making a great cocktail? In the opinion of our esteemed panel of drinks experts, it comes down to three kinds, namely blanco, joven, and reposado tequila.
Blanco tequila (silver)
Blanco tequila is a type of tequila that has not been aged in oak barrels and is bottled immediately after distillation. It is known for its clear color and strong, pure taste of blue agave.
Joven tequila (gold)
Joven tequila, also known as gold or young tequila, is a blend of unaged blanco tequila and aged reposado or añejo tequila. The unique blending process gives joven tequila a distinct flavor profile, combining the smoothness of aged tequila and the freshness of blanco tequila.
Reposado tequila (aged)
Reposado tequila is a type of tequila that has been aged in oak barrels for at least two months, but no longer than a year. This aging process gives it a slightly golden hue and a smooth, mellow flavor with notes of vanilla and caramel, while still retaining the unique taste of agave. It offers a more complex and intriguing base for a Margarita.
Learn more: A Beginner’s Guide to the Different Types of Tequila
12 Best tequilas for Margaritas
Here are the 12 top tequilas (in no particular order of importance) The Mixer team recommends for shaking up the perfect Margarita recipe in 2024:
1. La Gritona Reposado
La Gritona Reposado is one of the best tequilas for cocktails if you like your spirits with a complex and brooding character. It has lovely notes of caramelized fruit, ginger, and pepper. Try it in a Frozen Margarita recipe.
2. Maestro Dobel Diamante
Maestro Dobel Diamante ranks among the best tequilas for Margaritas thanks to its double distillation process and maturation time in Hungarian White Oak barrels. It is full-bodied, smooth, and complex, with enticing notes of oak, vanilla, butterscotch, and a touch of spice. Try it in our Spicy Margarita recipe.
3. Casa Dragones Blanco
Ranking among the best silver tequila for Margaritas, Casa Dragones Blanco has a fresh and herbaceous aroma with notes of grapefruit and green apple, that finishes crisply with hints of almond twinkling along a bright, lingering aftertaste. Try it in our Strawberry Margarita recipe.
4. Espolòn Blanco
Arguably the best blanco tequila for Margaritas if you love ample aromas of sweet agave, Espolòn Blanco carries notes of tropical fruit and lemon zest, underpinned by a hint of pepper that anchors the light-to-medium bodied palate, ending in a clean, stylish finish. Try it in our Classic Margarita recipe.
5. Milagro Reposado
When discussing the best reposado tequila for Margaritas, it’s impossible not to mention Milagro Reposado. This is a great option for folks who are new to the world of tequila. It has a sweet and slightly woody flavor with a nicely integrated aromatic profile that showcases savory and citrus notes as well as hints of vanilla, anise, and spearmint. Try it in our Mango Margarita recipe.
6. Olmeca Altos Plata
The best type of tequila for Margaritas depends a lot on personal preference, and if you dig a spirit with plenty of swagger, you’ve got to try Olmeca Altos Plata. This unaged tequila has a tidy kick of roasted agave layered over a sweet nose and a soft palate with tinges of lime, and spice, ending on fruit and pepper. Try it in our Watermelon Margarita recipe.
7. Tapatio Blanco
If you want your cocktail to be infused with notes of spicy earthiness, cracked black pepper, and sweet cinnamon, the best tequila for a Margarita will be Tapatio Blanco. Try it in our Grand Margarita recipe with the grand dame Grand Marnier as co-star.
8. Patrón Roca Silver
Another one of the best tequilas for Margaritas in the blanco category, Patrón Roca Silver boasts a complex tonal blend of agave, anise, light pepper, and a creamy mouthfeel. Try it in our Pineapple Margarita recipe.
10. Código 1530 Rosa
A tequila for cocktails that never seems to disappoint in the easy-to-sip department, Código 1530 Rosa comes to the party with captivating earthy notes with bright hints of red fruit sweetness. Try it in a Cranberry Margarita recipe.
11. Lobos 1707 Tequila Joven
If you are looking for the best tequila for Strawberry Margaritas (a niche choice we know, but just go with it), Lobos Joven is bold and robust, with notes of wine, wood, and medium roast cocoa. Try it in our (you guessed it!) Frozen Strawberry Margarita recipe.
Also see: 12 of The Best Cocktails for Beginners
12. Herradura Directo de Alambique
Finally, the best type of tequila for a Margarita for folks who adore a fresh, natural flavor, Herradura Directo de Alambique has an abundant aroma of sweet apple and green pear, following through on a balanced palate of sweet agave and dried fruit laced with hints of warming herbs and spices. Try it in our Blue Margarita recipe.
Bonus tips for crafting the perfect Margarita
Let’s elevate your Margarita game with some insider tips! Whether you’re hosting a party or just enjoying a cocktail at home, these tricks will make your Margaritas unforgettable.
Perfecting the mix
- Fresh lime juice: Always use freshly squeezed lime juice when possible. It’s the backbone of a great Margarita, providing natural acidity and brightness.
- Premium orange liqueur: Upgrade from triple sec to a premium orange liqueur like Grand Marnier for a deeper, richer citrus flavor.
- Agave nectar sweetness: Use agave nectar instead of simple syrup for a more authentic and smoother sweetness that complements the tequila.
Garnish like a pro
- Salt rim with a twist: Instead of plain salt, try a mix of coarse sea salt and a bit of chili powder or smoked salt for a kick. Dip the rim in lime juice, then in the salt mixture.
- Citrus zest: Garnish with a twist of lime, lemon, or even grapefruit zest. It adds a burst of citrus aroma with each sip.
- Fresh herbs: A sprig of rosemary or a few leaves of fresh mint can add an unexpected aromatic layer. Lightly slap the herbs before adding them to release their essential oils.
Serving techniques that wow
- Chilled glassware: Chill your Margarita glasses in the freezer for at least 15 minutes before serving. This keeps your drink cold longer and adds a frosty touch.
- Big ice cubes: Use large ice cubes or an ice sphere in your Margaritas. They melt slower, keeping your drink well-chilled without diluting it quickly.
- Batching for parties: If you’re hosting, batch your Margaritas ahead of time. Mix all ingredients except the ice in a pitcher and keep it in the fridge. When guests arrive, simply pour over ice and garnish.
Get crafty with it
- Infused tequila: Infuse your tequila with flavors like jalapeño, pineapple, or even cucumber for a unique twist. Just let the ingredients steep in the tequila for a few hours, or overnight.
- Flavored salts: Create custom-flavored salts for your rim. Combine sea salt with flavors like lime zest, smoked paprika, or even crushed dried hibiscus for a vibrant color and taste.
Expert insider tips
Tristram Fini, our friend from the Campari Academy UK, has shared a few valuable tips for folks who want to understand more about mixing and pairing tequila to perfection:
Tips for pairing tequila cocktails with food
If food and drinks have grown together regionally, they will automatically pair well. With tequila, you can explore options like aguachile, which is a ceviche-style dish. You can also consider different styles of tacos, such as al pastor or tacos de birria, which are vibrant regional dishes coming from Oaxaca and Puebla specifically.
Tequila usually has an element of acidity, freshness, and potentially spice. Nicely cured seafood and grilled prawns work great, but steer clear of dishes that are too dairy-heavy. Those don’t really pair naturally with tequila. Focus on vibrant, fresh flavors that aren’t too subtle.
Interestingly, tequila and margaritas pair wonderfully with oysters. Oysters are fatty and briny, giving them a salty characteristic. Margaritas pair well with that saltiness because salt and tequila are always going to work well together.
Tris’ favorite tequila cocktail: Tommy’s Margarita
A Tommy’s Margarita is one of Tris’s favorite tequila cocktails.. A tequila cocktail should focus on the agave, and this drink does exactly that. It’s a simple Margarita made with tequila blanco, lime juice and agave syrup. That’s it. There are no liqueurs, no tricks, and no different flavors being added. Salt is optional, and Tris suggests making it without it so you can taste the purity of the agave.
Unique tequila mixers to try
When you think of tequila mixers, a couple of lesser-known options really stand out. One surprising one is Coca-Cola, especially the Mexican version. There’s a bar called La Capilla in Tequila town that serves a drink called the Batanga, which is basically a twist on a Paloma.
The bartender famously stirs it with a knife, and instead of grapefruit juice, uses that delicious Mexican Coca-Cola. The difference here is that Mexican Coke is sweetened with cane sugar, which gives it a richer taste compared to the versions we often see in the UK. When you squeeze some lime into it, the balance is just perfect!
Another unique mixer to consider is ginger beer. It’s a key ingredient in a classic drink called El Diablo, which combines tequila, lime, and ginger beer, topped off with a splash of blackberry liqueur. It’s delicious and offers a lovely kick.
These tips and tricks will not only enhance your Margarita but also impress your guests with your cocktail craftsmanship. Cheers to making every sip an extraordinary experience!
