The Best Tequilas of 2023 to Mix up a Better Margarita

Brad Japhe
·9 min read

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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What We Look for in the Best Tequila for Margaritas

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

Why You Should Trust Me

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.

Best Overall Tequila for Margaritas: Tequila Ocho Plata

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!

$42 at drizly
$42 at drizly
$45 at caskers
$45 at caskers

Best Cheap Tequila for Margaritas: Tapatio Blanco

“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.

$40 at drizly
$40 at drizly
$46 at wine.com
$46 at wine.com

Best Tequila for Spicy Margaritas: Ghost Blanco

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.

From $30 at drizly
From $30 at drizly
$45 at caskers
$45 at caskers

Best Tequila for Ultra-Smooth Margaritas: Roca Patrón Silver

“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.”

From $76 at reservebar
From $76 at reservebar
$99 at frootbat
$99 at frootbat

Best Tequila for Sweet Margaritas: Maestro Dobel Diamante

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.

From $48 at drizly
From $48 at drizly
From $52 at reservebar
From $52 at reservebar

Best Tequila for Balanced Margaritas: Laneta Blanco

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.

$99 at frootbat
$99 at frootbat

Best Tequila for Dessert Margaritas: Flecha Azul Reposado

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.

$68 at drizly
$68 at drizly
$56 at caskers
$56 at caskers

More Tequilas for Margaritas We Love

How to Make a Margarita

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:

  1. Don’t use margarita mix; only use fresh lime juice!

  2. When it comes to picking the limes, you want ones that are slightly large; have a lighter green hue; and thin, smooth skin, as they will give you the best juice. You can tell by the color and the pock marks on the skin if it's going to be a good juicing lime. If you’re not sure, roll it over a hard surface. If the lime doesn’t give to the pressure of your hand, it’s going to work best.

  3. When you get ready to make the margaritas, take the limes out of the fridge long enough in advance so they'll warm up to room temp, then give them a slight roll on the counter before you slice so they'll juice more easily.

  4. Don’t be shy when shaking. I aggressively shake 20 times tops. If you can hear the ice breaking early on and the shaker is frosting, you can stop at 15.

Related: The Best Gin Brands to Drink in 2023

The Best Margarita Recipe to Make at Home

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.

Ingredients

  • 2 oz blanco tequila

  • 1 oz lime juice, freshly squeezed

  • ½ oz agave nectar

  • Salt for rim, optional

Instructions

  1. Add tequila, lime juice, and agave nectar to a shaker full of ice.

  2. Shake vigorously until the shaker is frosty.

  3. Salt the rim of a cocktail glass and add fresh ice or one large cube.

  4. Strain margarita into cocktail glass and enjoy.