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    Home » Cocktails » Best Tequila for Margaritas: My Top 3 Affordable Brands

    Published: Nov 9, 2021 · Updated: Nov 3, 2021 by Sharon Garofalow | This post may contain affiliate links. See the privacy policy linked in my footer.

    Best Tequila for Margaritas: My Top 3 Affordable Brands

    Close up of a bottle of blanco tequila with text around it.

    Tequila can be served straight-up, on the rocks, or mixed into a cocktail. But my favorite way to enjoy this delicious liquor is in a margarita.

    When it comes to picking the best tequila for margaritas, not any bottle will do. So, grab your favorite cocktail ingredients and keep reading to find out which tequila you should buy to make the most delicious margarita.

    A bottle of tequila on a counter with a woman making a cocktail behind.

    It was not love at first sight with tequila and I. Our relationship grew slowly over time and a few trips to Mexico.

    And now I LOVE the flavor. And love margaritas. As I started mixing up different versions, I started trying more and more tequila.

    I don’t consider myself an expert. But I love to mix cocktails at home and I don’t love to spend a lot of money. I also love to learn so I’ve done a little bit of research on tequila so you don’t have to.

    Jump to:
    • What is Tequila?
    • Types of Tequila 
    • How to Choose Tequila
    • Conclusion
    • Delicious Margarita Recipes to Try

    What is Tequila?

    Tequila is a delicious spirit that can be enjoyed both on its own or mixed with other ingredients to create unique cocktails.

    Tequila is a distilled beverage made by fermenting the sugars found in the blue agave plant. Authentic tequila can only be produced in designated areas of Mexico and must contain at least 51% Weber Blue Agave.

    Depending on where the agave is grown, they can have different flavors that come out in the tequila.

    And tequila isn’t just great in a margarita!

    It also works great for other tequila cocktails:

    • Tequila and Coke
    • 3 Red Wine Cocktails with Tequila
    • Tequila Mojito
    Woman holding a cocktail shaker with text next to it.

    Types of Tequila 

    Woman measuring tequila in a jigger.

    There are three basic types of tequila: silver, reposado, and Anejo. Knowing which one to pick for your margarita will depend on a few factors, including your own flavor preference and the ingredients you’re using to make your cocktail.

    Many people think that the best tequila for margaritas is silver or reposado but don’t count out the anejo!

    Silver

    Silver, blanco or plata tequila is bottled immediately after distillation and features the most concentrated flavor of blue agave of all the varieties, making it a good option for a margarita.

    It is not aged in oak barrels so it tastes clean and pairs really well with other cocktail ingredients.

    This, in my opinion, is the best tequila to use in margaritas.

    Reposado

    Reposado tequila is aged between two and twelve months in oak barrels, which creates a more dynamic flavor in your margarita.

    The flavor is more complex with slight notes of caramel and vanilla. The color has a lovely golden tone also. People who love tequila typically really enjoy reposado.

    It’s also common for restaurants to use reposado in margaritas.

    Anejo

    Anejo is aged for a longer period of time, typically between one and three years, in oak barrels, making it great for sipping (as you would with bourbon).

    It has a bigger, bolder flavor that is distilled twice to ensure a smooth finish. It also has a darker, golden color that looks a lot like whisky.

    I think anejo is best for drinking on it’s own or in a simple drink like an Old-Fashioned where the liquor is really the start of the show. But it can also be used in a margarita.

    Woman adding tequila to a cocktail shaker.

    How to Choose Tequila

    Picking a good tequila for margaritas can be a difficult decision. With so many different variations and flavors to choose from, how do you know which one is the best?

    Think about these different factors as you’re deciding which brand you want to use in your mixed drinks:

    Your Flavor Preferences

    Since tequila is the star of a margarita, the first thing to think about is which variety of tequila you enjoy most. Picking a flavor profile that suits your tastes is the best way to ensure you enjoy every sip of your mixed drink.

    How Much You Want to Spend

    Tequila can range greatly in price depending on the brand and quality. While you don’t want to use low-quality liquor since the flavor of tequila really comes through in a margarita, there’s also no need to use a super high-end bottle.

    Moderately priced tequila is a great option for cocktails because you can enjoy the flavor without breaking the bank. Skip the budget bottles and look for something middle of the road.

    Regional Flavors

    In addition to the different types of tequila you can choose from, the liquor also varies by the region in which it’s made.

    When it comes to tequila regions, you can choose between Americanized tequila and authentic Mexican tequila, both have unique flavor profiles that pair well with different margarita recipes. 

    Americanized Tequila

    Americanized tequilas are easy to find and have great price points.

    • The sweet, slight agave flavor with hints of vanilla found in Casamigos Blanco combines perfectly with citrus recipes. This one is great to use in a Strawberry Margarita.
    • Deleon Blanco is a delicious tequila and one of my favorites to sip on its own. It’s so smooth and a great one to serve to people who don’t think they like tequila. I like to use this one in a Tequila and Soda.
    • Santo tequila, is a new one made by Guy Fieri. It’s easy to drink and is so great in a Watermelon Margarita. It’s a little more versatile than the Casamigos but with a little more flavor than the Deleon.

    Authentic Tequila

    Authentic tequilas are usually family-owned and have multiple generation makers following the strict rules to make tequila the right way.

    I follow several people on Instagram who specialize in tequila and I reached out to Miss Agave for her recommendation on authentic tequilas and here is what she said.

    I have not yet tried these brands so I can’t speak on flavor or pricing. I have looked for a few of them and they can be found at stores like Total Wine.

    • Tequila Ocho
    • El Tesoro
    • Fortaleza
    • G4
    • Arette

    Conclusion

    Woman holding cocktail shaker.

    There isn’t one clear winner on what is the best tequila for margaritas. It comes down to personal preference and price. My top 3 choices are the Americanized tequilas so far.

    My go-to has always been Casamigos. That hint of vanilla really makes for a tasty cocktail. And if I’m sipping it straight, my go-to is Deleon. But Santo is also delish! Any of these are great bottles.

    I like to keep my bar small so I will usually only have one bottle at a time. And you can’t go wrong with any of these tequilas listed.

    I’ll update my notes as I taste my way down the list of authentic tequilas. Leave me a comment with your favorite tequila for margaritas!

    Printable pages on top of an image of kitchen gadgets with text next to it.

    Delicious Margarita Recipes to Try

    Rim a glass and enjoy a delicious margarita recipe.

    • Best Frozen Margarita
    • Refreshing Cucumber Margarita Recipe
    • Pumpkin Spice Margaritas
    • Spiced Clementine Margaritas
    • Spicy Serrano Margarita Recipe
    • Blood Orange Margaritas
    • Basil Margarita
    • My Favorite Skinny Margarita

    More Classic Cocktail Recipes

    • Refreshing Gin Cocktail with Basil and Lemon Recipe
    • 13 Amaro Cocktails to Make at Home
    • Coke and Rosé: A Real Housewife Twist on Kalimotxo
    • Refreshing Red Wine Spritzer Recipe

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    About Sharon Garofalow

    Sharon lives in Southern California with her adorable family. She loves to share ideas to make mom life easier and encourage busy gals to make time for themselves too! Sharon's "me" time often includes watching Hallmark Channel movies, sipping sauvignon blanc, trying not to eat Salt and Pepper potato chips, and planning girlfriend getaways.

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    Welcome!
    Based in Southern California, I am the mom to two amazing boys and married to the raddest man in all the land. Cupcakes and Cutlery is your resource for simple solutions to help you be an awesome wife and mother and not lose yourself in the process. Email me at [email protected]

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    Posts about wine, liquor and/or cocktail recipes are expressly for people 21 years of age and older. Drink responsibly.

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