The Best (and Worst) Tequilas for Margaritas

Quick Picks: The Best Tequilas for Margaritas

For those in a rush (or just eager to hit the liquor store), let’s cut to the chase:

• Premium Tequila: Fortaleza Blanco (if you can find it) – Smooth, crisp, and there’s a reason it has a cult following.
• Mid-Range Tequila: Espolón Blanco – Balanced, flavorful, and budget-friendly.
• Budget Tequila: Arette Blanco or Cimarron Reposado – Affordable without sacrificing quality.
• Reposado Tequila: Don Julio Reposado – Smooth with notes of caramel and spice, it’s perfect for an elevated cocktail.

Want the full scoop? Keep reading.

The Full List: Best Tequilas for Margaritas

Because these tequilas are destined for margaritas, not sipping neat, you don’t have to go all out on the fanciest brands (unless you want to flex a little). The key here is balance: a tequila that stands out just enough without overwhelming the lime and orange liqueur. Let’s break it down by budget.

Best Premium Tequilas

If you’re feeling fancy (or just really love margaritas):

Fortaleza Blanco: Known for its ultra-smooth taste and citrusy notes, this tequila has something of a cult following, so people tend to hoard it causing rapid sell-outs in stores, and in turn, driving up the price. So, what’s the hype about? The Blanco and Still Strength stand out for their unique flavor profiles, offering a depth and intensity that’s hard to beat. Made from 100% blue agave (aka high-quality) Fortaleza still uses traditional stone ovens to cook the agave and copper pot stills for distillation—this is where the rich flavor comes from. The brand’s won a ton of awards for quality, and they really put a lot of effort into sustainable practices in its production. So, if you can find a bottle, grab it.

Siete Leguas Blanco: The reason I typically stay away from blancos is that harsh bite that comes with clear spirits. With this brand? Not the case. It has a natural sweetness and subtle bite and it’ll work just as well in your margarita as it will for sipping neat or on the rocks. Sometimes people call it the “original Patron” and unlike Fortaleza, you can usually find it in stores pretty easily.

Casa Noble Crystal: This tequila is somewhat polarizing, with a strong love or hate reaction. Some people claim it’s exceptional, and others react to a licorice or cilantro taste (like how people either love cilantro while others think it tastes soapy). For those who love it, they claim it’s the best for a margarita because of it’s ability to balance the taste. And the price really can vary. If you can find it for under $50, that’s a good deal.

Best Mid-Range Tequilas for Margaritas

Great margaritas don’t have to break the bank.

• Espolón Blanco: A crowd-pleaser with a balanced flavor profile. Personally, this was my go-to until I started branching out, and switched to Cimarron Reposado (see below). This is a great choice if you’re heading out to a party and want to bring something everyone’ll love. A lot of people love Espolon Blanco for their margaritas or palomas.
  
• Tapatio Blanco: A touch of pepper and mint makes this tequila a standout choice. Less complex than some other blancos, but still a solid choice for sipping on or mixing into your margarita.

Best Budget Tequilas for Margaritas

Affordable doesn’t have to mean regrettable. These recommendations are all still 100% agave and additive-free. Personally, I make all of my margaritas with Cimarron Reposado. I LOVE reposado because it doesn’t bite like blanco. And with the Cimarron being the cheapest of the bunch (but still high quality) I can spend the money I saved on interesting liqueurs. (And redditors agree with me.)

• Arette Blanco: Cocktail people love this one. Clean, smooth, and perfect for those who like their margaritas with a hint of floral and fruity notes. It’s 100% blue agave, and they cook in a low-pressure autoclave and in a brick oven, followed by a double distillation in stainless pot stills. This gives it its distinct flavor profile, which includes floral and fruity notes, a sweet and smooth palate, and a light pepper finish.
  
• Olmeca Altos Plata: This tequila punches above its weight with a smooth, slightly herbal profile. It’s highly regarded for it’s value in quality. Not exactly a sipping tequila, but works great when mixed in cocktails.
  
• Cimarron Blanco or Reposado: A favorite among bartenders, it’s affordable with a bright, agave-forward taste with a touch of oak. Cocktail enthusiasts love cimarron blanco for margaritas, but I prefer reposado personally for a Cadillac margarita. People describe it as “unbelievably good” for it’s price. If you’re having a party and making pitcher margaritas, at this price point and quality, THIS is the tequila to buy.
  
• El Jimador Reposado: A hint of oak adds depth to your margaritas without emptying your wallet. It’s produced using a diffuser, which extracts fermentable sugars from agave fibers that have already been processed. Some purists prefer traditional methods, but diffuser tequilas like this one can be quite good. If you don’t like a strong agave flavor, this is your tequila.

Best Reposado Tequila for Margaritas

When choosing between reposado and blanco tequila for your margarita, the key difference is the flavor profile.

Blanco tequila is unaged, offering a crisp, clean, and vibrant taste with strong agave notes, making it perfect for a classic, refreshing margarita.

Reposado, on the other hand, is aged in oak barrels for a few months, giving it a smoother, more rounded flavor with subtle hints of vanilla, caramel, and spice. If you prefer a margarita with a bit more depth and complexity, reposado is a great choice, while blanco will give you that bright, bold flavor everyone loves.

• Don Julio Reposado: Smooth with notes of caramel and spice, it’s perfect for an elevated cocktail.
  
• Cazadores Reposado: Slightly fruity with a warm finish, it’s a reliable option for those who like a touch of oak.
  
• Herradura Reposado: Bold and flavorful, it stands up beautifully to lime and orange liqueur.

The Worst Cheap Tequilas to Avoid

Save yourself the regret (and the hangover). Seriously, this is the worst cheap tequila.

• Jose Cuervo Especial: Often labeled “made with tequila,” this mixto tequila is harsh, overly sweet, and a hangover in a bottle.
• Hornitos Reposado: Described by some as having the mouthfeel of regret. Pass.
• Sierra Tequila: Tastes like gasoline. Enough said.
• 818 Tequila: More like vanilla extract than tequila, thanks to its additives.
• Montezuma: So bad it’s almost legendary. Avoid at all costs.

How to Choose the Perfect Tequila for Margaritas

If you’re shopping for tequila, watch out for these red flags. 🚩 Use these tips to explore tequilas and discover your own perfect bottle.

only buy 100% Agave

Tequila labeled as 100% agave means that it is made exclusively from the blue agave plant, with no added sugars or fillers. This ensures a purer, more authentic taste and a higher quality product. In contrast, mixto tequila, which is commonly found in lower-priced bottles, contains a mix of agave and other sugars, often resulting in a less flavorful, harsher tequila.

Choosing 100% agave tequila ensures a smoother, more complex drink—whether you’re sipping it straight or mixing it into cocktails like margaritas. For the best flavor and experience, always go for 100% agave tequila. You’ll see it stated on the label.

Avoid Additives

Some tequilas, especially mixtos or lower-quality brands, may contain additives like caramel coloring (to alter the color), sugars or syrups (for sweetness), glycerin (for smoothness), and flavoring agents (to enhance or mask flavors). While these additives can make tequila sweeter, smoother, or more colorful, they can also diminish the natural agave flavor, making the tequila taste artificial.

To make you’re getting a pure, authentic tequila experience, choose 100% agave tequilas, which are free from these additives and offer a cleaner, more natural taste. Look for brands committed to transparency.

beware super cheap tequilas

Extremely cheap tequilas often compromise on quality. While price isn’t always an indicator of quality, very low-priced options can be a red flag.

Which Type of Tequila is Best for Margaritas

Tequila is made from the blue agave plant and comes in different types, each with its own distinct characteristics. Understanding the variations can help you choose the best tequila for your margarita, depending on the flavor profile you’re aiming for.

Blanco (Silver) Tequila

• What It Is: Blanco tequila is the purest form of tequila, typically bottled immediately after distillation or aged for less than two months in stainless steel or neutral oak barrels.
• Flavor: Fresh, bold, and slightly peppery with earthy agave notes. It’s known for its clean, crisp taste, with hints of citrus and a bit of sweetness.
• Is It Good for Margaritas?: Yes! Blanco is often the go-to tequila for margaritas. Its fresh, bright flavor makes for a zesty margarita that balances well with lime juice and sweetener.

Reposado Tequila

• What It Is: Reposado tequila is aged in oak barrels for at least two months but less than a year. The aging process softens the agave flavor and infuses the tequila with subtle wood and vanilla notes.
• Flavor: Smooth and slightly sweet with a hint of oak, vanilla, and caramel. It retains the agave flavor but with added complexity from the aging process.
• Is It Good for Margaritas?: Absolutely! Reposado tequila adds a rich, mellow depth to a margarita. If you like your margarita to have a slightly smoother, more complex flavor, reposado is a great choice. (Personally, I prefer reposado over blanco, and I use it in the Cadillac margarita recipe.)

Añejo Tequila

• What It Is: Añejo tequila is aged in oak barrels for at least one year, often up to three years. This longer aging process results in a darker tequila with more developed flavors.
• Flavor: Rich, smooth, and full of deep flavors like oak, caramel, vanilla, and sometimes a hint of chocolate or coffee. The agave flavor takes a backseat to the complex aging notes.
• Is It Good for Margaritas? It’s a bit too complex for traditional margaritas. While it can work in a more refined version of the cocktail, its intense flavors are better appreciated in sipping, not mixing with lime and sweetener.

Extra Añejo Tequila

• What It Is: Extra Añejo is the most aged type of tequila, aged for a minimum of three years in oak barrels. It’s rich and complex, with an almost whiskey-like quality.
• Flavor: Deep, full-bodied flavors with notes of oak, vanilla, caramel, and sometimes dried fruit or spice. It has a luxurious, smooth finish.
• Is It Good for Margaritas? Not ideal for margaritas. Extra Añejo tequilas are best savored on their own or in high-end cocktails, but the flavors can easily be overshadowed by the lime and sweeteners in a margarita.

Cristalino Tequila

• What It Is: Cristalino tequila is a relatively new category where aged tequila (usually Añejo or Extra Añejo) is filtered to remove the color, resulting in a clear liquid with the smoothness of aged tequila.
• Flavor: The taste is smooth and refined with a mix of caramel, vanilla, and agave notes, while still maintaining the crispness of a blanco.
• Is It Good for Margaritas? Cristalino tequila could work in margaritas for those who want a mix of smooth aged flavor with the brightness of a blanco. It’s an interesting choice but not a traditional one.

Gold Tequila

• What It Is: Gold tequila is often a mix of blanco and reposado tequila, or sometimes it’s a blanco tequila that has been flavored with caramel or other additives.
• Flavor: Typically smoother and sweeter than blanco, with some added flavor from the caramel or additives. The taste can be a bit artificial compared to other types.
• Is It Good for Margaritas? No, it’s not the best in terms of flavor quality. If you’re looking for a more authentic margarita, you’re better off with blanco or reposado.

So which is the best type tequila for margaritas? In short, stick with blanco for its fresh and vibrant taste, or go with reposado if you prefer a smoother, more rounded flavor. Añejo and Extra Añejo are best for sipping straight or in cocktails where the tequila is the star, rather than as part of a cocktail where other ingredients shine.

Best Orange Liqueur for Margaritas

Yes, tequila is your main character in your margarita. But don’t ignore your orange liqueur. Your tequila deserves a worthy co-star.

• Cointreau: The gold standard. Bright, citrusy, and perfectly balanced.
• Combier: Another premium alternative to Cointreau.
• Luxardo Triplum: A budget-friendly alternative that doesn’t skimp on flavor.
• Rhum Clement Creole Shrubb: A Caribbean gem with a unique depth and spice. My current obsession.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Can I use gold tequila for margaritas?
A: Stick with blanco or reposado. Gold tequila often contains caramel coloring and additives.

Q: Is expensive tequila worth it for margaritas?
A: Not always. Premium tequilas are great for sipping, but mid-range options like Espolón are perfect for cocktails.

Q: What’s the best mixer for margaritas?
A: Fresh lime juice and a good orange liqueur. Skip the pre-made mixes.

Time to Shake up a Margarita

Now that you know all about choosing the right tequila for your margarita, it’s time to grab a bottle of quality 100% agave tequila and get mixing! Whether you’re a classic margarita lover or ready to try something new, the perfect tequila will elevate your cocktail to a whole new level. So, gather your ingredients, shake things up, and sip away—you’ve got all the knowledge you need to create margarita magic right at home.

If you need an amazing margarita recipe, this classic Cadillac margarita recipe is my go-to. And if you are making them for a party? I turned my favorite margarita recipe into a large batch pitcher margarita. Want to experiment a little? Try the watermelon margarita in summer or the champagne margarita when you’ve got something to celebrate.