An enduring classic with nearly 100 years of history, the margarita is the most popular cocktail of 2023 in the U.S., according to research agency CGA's NielsenIQ cocktail tracker. Though it’s a relatively easy drink to prepare, not all are created equally. Of course, the easiest way to separate a sensational offering from the throwaway variety is by using the best tequila for margaritas.
But herein lies a salty rub: The best sipping tequila isn’t necessarily the top pick for a properly balanced cocktail. The same goes for the best bourbon for old fashioneds and vodka for martinis. That's why we embarked on a quest to find the best tequila for margaritas sure to please every palate.
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We seek out refreshing, earthy, sturdy tequilas that can shine through when mixed against the tartness of lime juice and sweetness of triple sec. We also want it to be a pure expression of the category, devoid of additives whenever possible.
Then there’s the consideration of cost. Or more accurately, value. Just like with cheap whiskeys, you’ll find this list hits cheap tequilas and other bottles that are…not. Across the board, though, we just wanted to find the best tequila for margaritas that substantiates whatever price tag it wears. Our best overall pick is Tequila Ocho Plata. It imparts a peppery, herbal flavor to the classic drink while also retaining a surprising brightness—plus it's affordable.
“When I think of a margarita I like the cocktail to feel refreshing, which is why I always use a blanco tequila,” explains professional bartender Christophe Beaudoin Vallières. Other categories, like añejo tequilas, can be too bold or add a sweetness that isn't needed. "Ultimately, you want a margarita that feels light yet flavorful and balanced,” Beaudoin Vallières adds.
To that end, we’ve got you covered with a list of the absolute best tequilas for margaritas. Below you’ll find 15 exquisite expressions that are uniquely qualified for the task based on the specific flavor profiles you’re looking to achieve.
Related: 50 Best Whiskeys in the World 2023
I drink an unreasonable amount of margaritas in any given year—always in moderation, of course. But beyond that, I’m also an expert in tequila production and tasting. I judge spirits competitions from coast to coast, sampling hundreds of expressions annually, as well as rating and comparing agave spirits for inclusion in the articles I write as a journalist. For this herculean task, I’ve also enlisted the expertise of several award-winning mixologists. They literally make margaritas for a living, so you can trust them to steer you from subpar to sensational as a matter of professional obligation.
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Plata is pretty much the Platonic ideal of margarita-ready tequilas. It has a touch of pepper spice and herbal fortitude, both of which anchor the sweeter, tarter tones introduced by way of the modifiers. It also retains an enviable brightness in cocktail form, which keeps things spry and flavorful all at once. At a relatively reasonable price point, you won’t hesitate to use it for big batches of mixed drinks. And trust us, you’ll want to!
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“My favorite tequila to use is Tapatio Blanco,” says Beaudoin Vallières. “It’s simple, super earthy and very well-balanced. For the price point it's amazing and always kept behind our bars.” It also boasts a slightly minty aftertaste, leaving the palate refreshed long after each magical gulp of margarita.
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If you’re craving a kick with your margarita, this is the juice for you. Ghost Blanco was conceived by a Boston-based bartender specifically to spice up his cocktails and shooters. It relies on the addition of ghost pepper chili extract to provide an ample dose of heat, without overplaying its hand.
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“When I’m making a margarita I prefer blanco or silver tequila for its bright and grassy flavor notes that complement the overall profile of the cocktail,” says Sanchez. “Patrón Roca Silver, which is made using the ancient tahona method of using a large stone wheel to crush the agave in a pit, is among the best tequila for margaritas because it's bright, fresh, and additive-free.”
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Dobel Diamante is a meticulous blend of well-aged agave stock that's run through a proprietary filtration system to make it clear. It holds a nutty mouthfeel and clings to all the caramel and vanilla notes picked up from the oak. And all of those sweeter tonalities poke through when used as the centerpiece of a traditional margarita recipe.
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Agave nectar, earthiness, citrus, vanilla, and cinnamon are all super common tasting notes for any respectable tier of tequila. But few offer all of them in such an equitable array as this entry-level blanco from Laneta. Use it to anchor any margarita recipe and you’ll sense the savory and the sweet in alternating turns.
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Brown sugar, molasses, cinnamon, nutmeg—it’s all here for the tasting with Flecha Azul. And it’s an absolute pleasure to pick out when mashed up against proper portions of lime juice and triple sec. Margaritas aren’t usually enjoyed after the meal. But trust us on this one—it’s better than molten chocolate lava cake.
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“If I had to choose a category, I’d choose still-strength tequilas, like this one from Tapatio,” says Michael Aredes of Superbueno in New York City’s East Village. “Something with a little higher alcohol content, can give you the truest expression of what the person who's making it is trying to create. And, also, it'll help support any other elements you're using to bind your recipe together.”
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“I love the freshness of El Tesoro Blanco,” says Gabe Urrutia, a bartender at Gramps in Miami, FL. “It’s sweet and herbaceous. It's also distilled to proof [no water added after distillation], which really captures the true essence of the agave used. Lastly, no additives and it’s priced right. It’s perfect in a Tommy’s margarita.”
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This well-rested 80-proof spirit from Arette is both toasty and rich, in equal measure. It also boasts more layers than your favorite serving of lasagna; it begins with chocolate in the front palate, followed by roasted notes and pepper spice, before citrus and vanilla exert their presence in a final fade. In margarita form, you can slowly enjoy that procession in each successive mouthful.
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“I personally always think a reposado is the best expression of tequila for a margarita—it tends to be the softest,” says Alli Torres, award-winning bartender at Florida's Freehold Miami. “I love the multi-layers of Quintaliza Reposado. It starts one way with baked agave and finishes another with roasted coffee and rich chocolate notes. It has a soft, sweet build but is very peppery, which delivers a great punch in cocktails.”
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This wholly unique special-edition Don Julio Primavera Reposado—from one of Jalisco’s most prominent producers—is finished in European casks that were seasoned with orange peel-macerated wine. It brings to the tequila citrus zest, as you might imagine. And there’s plenty of that coming through when used for your margarita. But you’ll also discern an unexpected silkiness to the mouthfeel.
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Oh, so you fancy yourself a sophisticated sipper. It’s OK—we do, too. And we not only applaud your seriousness, we reward it with this incredibly nuanced ArteNom 1579 blanco. Mint, fresh-cut grass, wetted slate; yes, these are the types of tonalities we’re talking about for your next margarita. We’re not ashamed to use the word, “tonality,” either.
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Green pepper, anis, and sweet agave are the hallmark tasting notes of this classic El Tequileño Blanco Tequila. And while all of that works wonderfully in a margarita preparation, we recommend an under-heralded alternative here: La Batanga. You might not be familiar with the cocktail, but in the actual town of Tequila it’s even more popular than the margarita and it’s almost always made with this exact expression.
Here are a few key pointers on how to make a margarita, courtesy of Gabe Sanchez, cocktail expert at Midnight Rambler at The Joule in Dallas, TX:
Related: The Best Gin Brands to Drink in 2023
This basic recipe from Julio Bermejo, of Tommy's Mexican Restaurant in San Francisco, CA, doesn’t use triple sec so it's a little more accessible to the average, often-unprepared home mixologist.
