These are 10 of the best Tequilas for a Margarita cocktail. Got any favourites you’d like to share? Leave a comment below.
Margarita Day rolls around on 22 February every year, which means one thing. A lot of Margaritas will be made. Some will be glorious. Many will be crimes.
The Margarita is Tequila, lime, orange liqueur, and balance. Uncomplicated, but unforgiving. 2:1:1 is the safer classic. 3:2:1 is the better drink. Try 50ml tequila, 25ml fresh lime, 20ml orange liqueur, shaken hard, and work out what you like from there.
Don’t give it any room to hide behind sugar, novelty salts, or vibes. If the Tequila is wrong, the whole thing collapses.
What makes a good Margarita Tequila?
The Tequila needs to have a nice, clean agave character, with enough weight to stand up to lime. Overly sweet, over-oaked, or flavourless spirits get exposed very quickly. Blanco usually reigns supreme, but a carefully chosen reposado can add depth without bulldozing the drink.
These are the Tequilas that actually work. Not theoretically. Not in press releases. In the glass.
Top 10 Best Tequilas for a Margarita
Ocho Plata
The ultimate choice? A terroir-forward Tequila that brings real agave depth to a Margarita. Earthy, citrusy, and complex, this is one for the home bartender who takes their cocktails very seriously…
Fortaleza Blanco
Old-school Tequila done properly. Cooked agave, citrus oils, and a savoury edge that makes a sharper, more grown-up Margarita. Less forgiving, but deeply rewarding if you get the ratios right.
Lunazul Blanco
Lunazul doesn’t need to bother with storytelling or provenance chat because it works every single time. Clean agave, bright citrus lift, no weird sweetness, no awkward burn. For when you want a balanced Margarita and do not want to think about it any harder than that.
El Jimador Tequila Reposado
I almost always make drinks with top-shelf spirits. Do some side-by-side tests, and El Jimador Reposado will consistently deliver a better Margarita than Tequilas twice the price. Soft oak, rounded agave, and zero ego. That’s its own kind of top shelf, isn’t it?
Cimarrón Blanco Tequila
Cimarrón makes Margaritas with teeth. Big agave character, peppery edge, and enough muscle to stand up to aggressive lime without folding. For sharp, savoury, and unapologetically Tequila-forward cocktails.
Mijenta Tequila
Crafted by Maestra Tequilera Ana María Romero, this highland Tequila is clean, bright, and mineral-driven, with beautifully defined agave. It builds a Margarita that feels as crisp as a British winter morning.
Herradura Reposado
Sí, reposado. When used properly, this adds gentle oak warmth and spice without overwhelming the drink. Ideal for a slightly richer Margarita or a Tommy’s-style build.
Tapatío Blanco
I love Tapatío for more than just flavour. It’s a true all-rounder. Bold enough not to get lost in a Margarita, but never harsh. A distinctive peppery finish makes it work in Spicy Margaritas, too.
Olmeca Altos Plata
Designed with bartenders in mind, and it shows. Cooked agave sweetness, citrus brightness, and a sturdy structure that holds together beautifully in classic Margarita specs.
1800 Silver Tequila
A household name for a reason. Bright agave, clean citrus notes, and a texture that plays perfectly with lime. This makes Margaritas that taste like a Margarita should, because so many of the Margaritas you’ve had were made with it.
The quick guide to a good Margarita
Good Tequila is only part of the equation. A proper Margarita needs:
– 100% agave Tequila with real agave flavour.
– Fresh lime juice. Not cordial. Not bottled. Fresh.
– A measured amount of orange liqueur. It should support, not dominate.
– Balance. Sweetness should frame acidity, not smother it.
– Get any of these wrong, and no amount of salt will save you.
Adapting the Margarita recipe
As with any cocktail, you can have fun and play around with your ingredients. Just remember to always make sure there’s a balance of sweet, sour, and spirit. That’s the key.
You could swap Tequila for mezcal and an orange liqueur for an agave syrup (like in a Tommy’s Marg). You can make your Margarita frozen, spicy, tropical, or even mulled, I guess.
This is a fun cocktail, so have fun with it. And Happy Margarita Day!
