.png)
Have you outgrown certain types of alcohol and are ready to tango with the different types of tequila? Well, you’ve come to the right place to look for the best tequila brands-especially if you're prepping for National Cocktail Day.
What type of drinks are you making? Whether you’re making summer cocktails, fall cocktails, winter cocktails, or spring cocktails, tequila–no matter how aged–never gets old. It belongs in every liquor bottle display.
Tequila is a versatile and flavorful liquor. It’s common in plenty of standardized recipes and in many of the drinks every bartender should know.
Just like any liquor, there are countless tequila brands to choose from. Most tequila brands have an Alcohol By Volume, or ABV, of 40%. As tasty as it is, it’s important to be careful about how much you consume. With that, let’s take a look at seven of the best tequila brands.
7 of The Best Tequila Brands
Tired of pacing through the liquor aisle? From sipping to mixing, you can’t go wrong with any of the tequila brand selections listed below.
Patrón Tequila
Patrón is one of the best tequila brands. Made from 100% Blue Weber Agave in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, Patrón is a crowd-pleaser. From aged reposados to luxury tequilas, Patrón produces various tequilas for any occasion.
You can drink Patrón tequila neat or as a straight shot. It also blends smoothly in a variety of popular cocktails, especially ones that consist of fruity flavors.
Espolòn Tequila
Espolòn tequila is a great 100% Blue Weber Agave option for margaritas and other tequila drinks. With crisp and refreshing undertones, this tequila goes down easy-peasy, lemon (or lime) squeezy. It's the perfect selection to stock up on for parties of all sizes.
Casamigos Tequila
Fun fact: George Clooney is the co-founder of Casamigos tequila! Made in the Jalisco highlands of Mexico, Casamigos tequila is also 100% agave. Its light citrus, subtle vanilla, and sweet agave blend makes it a tasty it a option for sipping or mixing.
Fortaleza Tequila
Produced in the lowlands of Jalisco, Mexico, Fortaleza Tequila offers more drying, herbaceous, and olive-tasting tones. You can enjoy it neat, on ice, or mixed with one of your favorite popular cocktail recipes (with a variety of cocktail ingredients).
Every bottle of Fortaleza is hand-blown in Mexico and has a hand-painted agave pineapple stopper on top. This adds a nice personal touch to an already delicious tequila.
El Jimador Tequila
From spicy margaritas to sangritas, El Jimador is a 100% solid choice of tequila made from 100% Blue Weber Agave. This tequila’s crisp and refreshing citrus aroma paired with a warm and spicy finish makes it great for sipping and mixing.
Avión Tequila
Are you familiar with this tequila’s famous 2009 debut on the hit HBO series, Entourage? Either way, this tequila will satisfy your every taste bud.
This tequila brand is known for its subtle and savory notes of pineapple, vanilla, and agave. Avión Tequila is perfect for sipping neat or for mixing in your favorite tequila recipes.
818 Tequila
Celebrities can’t get enough of tequila. Founded by Kendall Jenner and released in 2021, 818 Tequila is a popular brand on the market. Made in Jalisco, Mexico, 818 Tequila comes in three varieties: blanco, reposado, and añejo.
The 818 Tequila Blanco consists of smooth citrus and tropical undertones. The Reposado tastes of subtle vanilla and roasted agave flavors. Lastly, the Añejo delivers more complex vanilla flavors and spices due to its barrel-aging process.
Ready to tango with tequila? Consider selecting one of the best tequilas for a margarita to pair with delicious Mexican food appetizers.
Cheap Tequila Brands
If you’re boozing on a budget, El Jimador and Espolón are more affordable options. For more variety, we’ve listed three tequila brands that are cheaper in price, but not in taste. Check them out below!
Pueblo Viejo Blanco
Using 100% Blue Weber Agave, Pueblo Viejo Blanco blends together fresh and rustic flavors with agave and mint. While you can sip it on its own, it’s great for whipping together a batch of margaritas. Even better, most of their bottles are under $20.
Camarena Tequila
Priced at under $30, the Camarena Reposado is great for mixing, but even better for sipping. This exact brand and type of tequila is aged in oak barrels for 60 days, giving it a smooth caramel finish.
Hornitos Plata Tequila
If you’re looking for an inexpensive tequila that is best for making margaritas, grab a handle of Hornitos Plata Tequila. Less than $30 and full of tasty agave and notes of citrus, Hornitos offers a warm and smooth finish to satisfy your palette.
All the tequila brands above are great options for any occasion. But the list goes on. Other brands like ForLife Tequila and Casa Noble Añejo Tequila offer zesty and bright flavors for your liquor cabinet.
Want to turn away from tequila? Check out the different whiskey brands out there. The options are endless.
If you’re in the restaurant or bar business, prepare your bar staff by stocking up on all these tequila brands. And don’t forget to follow common bartender duties and take inventory of which brands you use the most.
What Tequila Brand Should I Buy?
When perusing the liquor aisle, consider the following factors when selecting your bottle of tequila:
Drinking occasion: If you want a standard liquor pour of tequila, Patrón and Fortaleza make for great options to sip neat. If you’re hosting a party where you’ll need tequila for shots and mixed drinks, consider Espolón or Jose Cuervo.
Your budget for booze: Alcohol can be expensive. Some of the best tequila brands like the Clase Azul Reposado can cost up to $500 or more. If you’re looking for a cheaper bottle, try brands like Hornitos or Herradura Silver. These tequila brands won’t burn your throat or your wallet.
Agave percentage: If you want rich and pure flavors, look for labels that read 100% agave. This means the tequila has little to no additives like cane sugar and glycerin. While there’s nothing wrong with gold tequilas that are 51% agave, they won’t taste as pure as the brands with zero additives.
If you're a restaurant or bar owner, offering great customer service and the best tequila brands won't tempt your customers to dine and dash or drink and dash.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tequila Brands
Is Jose Cuervo Tequila Good Tequila?
Jose Cuervo is a broadly-known and commonly purchased tequila brand. It is not 100% agave, meaning it’s a mixed tequila that contains additives. Therefore, it may not taste as smooth as other tequila brands.
What Is The Number One Tequila In Mexico?
El Jimador is one of the best-selling tequila brands in Mexico. It is one of the less expensive tequila brands on the market and is 100% agave.
What Is The Smoothest Tequila Available?
Don Julio is one of the smoother tequilas out there. This brand is a great option for taking shots, mixing drinks, or sipping on its own.