The Margarita has evolved a lot since it first captured the attention of just about every American drinker in the first half of the last century. But in each iteration, from ultra classic to souped-up modern riff, tequila remains essential. With the ever-increasing availability of high-quality options, though, how do you know which bottle is right for your next round?
“When picking a spirit for one of the world’s most celebrated cocktails, you have to remember that people have an archetype floating around in their mind that defines what a Margarita is,” explains Bobby Heugel, owner of the Thorough Fare group of bars in Houston. “You can either give them a perfect match that satisfies their cravings, or you can challenge them in a way that is distinct enough to reflect the origins of the drink but offer an original take.”
We surveyed a handful of bartenders to hear how they approach that dichotomy. Here are their top recommendations for the best tequila to use in Margaritas, at every price point.
The Best Tequila for Margaritas
Pueblo Viejo Blanco Tequila
Pueblo Viejo Blanco may be the most affordable bottle on this list, but it’s also been put to the test time and again—and succeeded. In our search for the ultimate Margarita recipe, Heugel’s take, which calls on this tequila, was our favorite. Heugel, too, conducts blind tastings “on virtually every brand of tequila priced under $25 a liter,” and Pueblo Viejo has consistently won. While not especially recommended for sipping neat, this bottle has an acidity and lime note that makes it perfectly suited to Margaritas, with an accessible price point that’s hard to beat.
- Price: $23
- ABV: 40%
El Tequileño Blanco Tequila
El Tequileño Blanco is a mixto tequila, meaning it’s made from less than 100 percent agave distillate; its specific composition is 70 percent agave and 30 percent piloncillo (Mexican sugar cane). But despite the blend, this option remains “agave-forward in its flavor,” according to Alba Huerta, owner of Julep in Houston. The brand’s blanco expression is lightly aged in American oak, giving it added dimension and an edge in a variety of cocktails, including Margaritas.
- Price: $28
- ABV: 40%
Don Fulano Blanco Tequila
Don Fulano Blanco tequila, which is made by fifth-generation agave farmers, also makes the list of Margarita-worthy expressions. The spirit “is so bright and clean [that] sipping it neat is even a refreshing experience,” according to Ally Marrone, beverage director at New York’s Grand Army Bar. With notes of cooling mint, Don Fulano imparts a fresh herbaceousness to cocktails, with a minerality that can pair nicely with the salty tang of a Margarita.
- Price: $55
- ABV: 40%
Tequila Ocho Plata
Tequila Ocho Plata wasn’t just mentioned by multiple surveyed bartenders; its producer, Carlos Camarena, was also described as “one of the most brilliant distillers of our times,” by Huerta. With its earthy profile, this tequila “creates the perfect backbone for a Margarita, while adding complexity to the drink’s overall composition,” adds Kristina Magro, beverage director for Chicago bars California Clipper and Segnatore. Magro uses the spirit in her frozen Margarita, a recipe praised by Punch panelists in a blind tasting of several versions.
- Price: $58
- ABV: 40%
El Tesoro Blanco Tequila
If Heugel could use only one tequila to make Margaritas for the rest of his life, he’d pick El Tesoro. Echoing Huerta, he says Carlos Camarena, who produces both Tequila Ocho and El Tesoro, “consistently makes the best tequilas in the world.” While Heugel praises the spirit’s “expressive fruity flavors,” Magro highlights this bottle’s “balance of vegetal and pepper spice.” That complex combination of earthiness and brightness is a no-brainer to elevate simple crowd-pleasers like the Margarita.
- Price: $64
- ABV: 40%
