These days we're coming round to the fact that a good-quality tequila is better shaken, stirred or sipped than it is downed as a shot. White, or blanco, tequila may be the classic base for a margarita, but with so many exquisite bottle to choose from, why limit yourself and your cocktail shaker?
If you're a lover of Mexico's most famous cocktail (and the agave-based spirit that makes it what it is) then this is the article for you! We've put together our tips and advice and advice on how to choose the best tequila for your margarita, alongside our ranking of the top 10 best in the UK. All our favourite picks are available from Amazon, Tesco and Waitrose to have you clinking those margarita glasses in no time at all.
Quick List - Top Tequilas for Margaritas
Casa Dragones
This Pure Blue Agave Silver Tequila Makes a Great Gift
A recommendation service that carefully researches each product and consults with experts across many disciplines. We are constantly creating new content to provide the best shopping experience from choosing ‘cosmetics’ to ‘food and drink’, ‘home appliances’ to ‘kids and baby’ products, reaching users all across the United Kingdom.
Table of Contents
Blanco tequila is the classic type of tequila used for making margaritas and other cocktails. This light tequila, also known as plata or silver tequila, is aged for less than two months (or not at all) and as such conveys the true essence of the agave plant.
Blanco tequila has a reputation for having a harsh, astringent taste, but there are endless premium tequilas out there that prove this actually isn't the case at all. Blanco tequila is simply divine with light, citrusy drinks and it's gluten-free, low calorie and low carb too!
Alcohol-infused sparkling water are a big hit for health-conscious alcohol drinkers - check out our suggestions for the yummiest hard seltzers!
Aged from around three months to a year, reposado tequilas offer a smooth taste without too much bite. Reposado is perfect for those who like their margaritas with a smoother taste, and they generally have a little more oaky-ness than their blanco counterparts too.
Reposado means "rested" in Spanish and reposado tequilas rest before they are bottled. Reposados take on the gold hue from the barrels in which they are aged, typically in oak or white oak, and the type of barrel influences the flavour of each individual bottle. Perfect for a not-too-strong margarita, that will be (maybe a little too) easy to drink!
You may not have heard of rosa, or rosé tequila, but it is certainly worth a sip if you like the idea of a delicate and delicious base to your cocktail. Beginning its journey as a blanco tequila, it then goes through an aging process in red wine oak barrels, allowing the tequila to absorb the flavour and colour of the wine-soaked casks.
Rosa tequila has only been aged for a short period of time, but just long enough to result in a spirit with a gorgeous floral finish and pink hue. That's why rosa is perfect for a margarita that will impress even the non-tequila drinkers.
Mexican law permits that tequila can only be made within Mexico, and more specifically only in certain municipalities in the states of Jalisco, Tamaulipas, Nayarit, Michoacán and Guanajuato. However, 90% of tequila is made in Jalisco, which is where tequila was originally born.
There are hundreds of varieties of agave that grow in Mexico, and many of them are used in the production of mezcal, but only blue Weber agave may be used to make tequila. There are two categories of quality when it comes to tequila production, mixto, or blended tequila, and 100% agave.
As you've probably already guessed, 100% agave tequila is the purest and highest quality tequila, forgoing the additives, flavourings and colourings you'll find in a standard mixto tequila. If you're looking for a premium bottle with a unique flavour profile that you'll want to savour, it has to be 100% agave.
While you're here, why not browse the best absinthes in the UK too?
Tequila usually contains between 38 - 40 % alcohol by volume, which is rather standard for a spirit, around the same as the ABV of many vodkas. Tequila is already low in calories, but if this is something that will be a deciding factor for you, those with a lower ABV will be lower in calories too.
Certain tequilas, such as some rosa tequilas have an ABV as low as 35 %, which offers a slightly healthier way to enjoy a tipple. Although, it's important to remember that tequilas with a lower ABV are still alcoholic after all, so drink responsibly!
For those alcohol-free days, discover our favourite alcohol-free spirits.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Patrón Silver Tequila | ![]() | Handcrafted With 100% Weber Blue Agave | |
2 | Olmeca Altos Plata Tequila | ![]() | Aromatic, Fruity and Well Balanced | |
3 | Casa Dragones Blanco Tequila With Presentation Box | ![]() | This Pure Blue Agave Silver Tequila Makes a Great Gift | |
4 | Don Julio Blanco Tequila | ![]() | Crisp, Clean and Dry With a Hint of Spice | |
5 | Código 1530 Rosa Tequila | ![]() | Aged for a Blush Hue and Light Floral Finish | |
6 | Casamigos Blanco Tequila | ![]() | For a Smooth, Subtle Taste With Citrus and Vanilla | |
7 | Espolòn Blanco Super Premium Tequila | ![]() | Delicate Sweet Agave With Floral and Tropical Aromas | |
8 | El Jimador Tequila Reposado | ![]() | A Hint of Oakiness, Perfect For a Not-Too-Strong Margarita | |
9 | Olmeca Altos Reposado Tequila | ![]() | Luscious Vanilla and Woody Flavours for Your Cocktail | |
10 | VIVIR Tequila Blanco | ![]() | An Award-Winning Tequila Blanco With a Clean Profile |
When it comes to the best tequila for margaritas, it has to be Patrón's Silver Tequila. Handcrafted from 100% blue weber agave at the Hacienda Patrón distillery in Jalisco, it's distilled in small batches creating the perfect blanco spirit.
Exceptionally smooth and sweet, with a subtle pepper finish, the Silver Patrón has a fruity, citrusy aroma and an aura of pure energy and passion! Each distinctly designed bottle is a work of art, and is hand corked, signed and decorated with a bright green ribbon. Simply the best!
The second of our offerings from Olmeca Altos, their award-winning Plata Tequila is blessed with astonishing character and unprecedented smoothness. Recognised as a champion of margaritas, the herbal notes of steamed agave and fresh citrus sweetness work perfectly in cocktails.
The combination of smoothness, drinkability and a clean profile seems to even prevent a hangover, providing you drink it sensibly, of course. Making it a total steal at this very reasonable price. ¡Salud!
Gracing many "best tequilas for margaritas" lists across the world wide web, Casa Dragones Blanco Tequila really is something special, and not just because it comes in a presentation box!
A small-batch tequila made from 100% pure blue agave, Casa Dragones is really showcasing the purity of both their agave and the water used in this one. Fresh and herbaceous with notes of green apple warmed by cloves and pepper, it has a crisp, light finish that makes for a crackin' margarita.
Packaged in a bottle that looks like it could be a prop used in From Dusk Till Dawn, Don Julio's Blanco Tequila is a total classic. Created by Don Julio González, who founded the La Primavera distillery in 1942, he pioneered the world’s first ultra-premium tequila, paving the way for tequila distillers today.
Made to be savoured, it pairs well with ceviche, tacos or vanilla ice cream and, of course, makes for an excellent margarita. With grass and white pepper notes, and a real vibrancy, it brings the sun to you, wherever you are!
A truly unusual and special bottle, the Rosa Tequila by Código 1530 is unlike any tequila you will have tried before. Carefully aged for one month in French white oak wine barrels, the process imparts a subtle blush hue and beautifully light floral finish.
Made from 100% pure water blue weber agave, the Rosa Tequila leads with plenty of brightness and character, and finishes with delicate notes of cabernet. It's a gorgeous choice for a margarita, and various other cocktails too.
Founded by George Clooney and entertainment industry businessman, Rande Gerber, Casamigos' Blanco Tequila is surprisingly good for a celebrity made product. Part of a range of blanco, reposado, añejo and joven tequilas, Casamigos tagline is "brought to you by those who drink it" and it seems they have really done their groundwork.
Clean and crisp with subtle hints of citrus, vanilla and sweet agave, it has a smooth finish that makes it ideal for margaritas, palomas or simply served with tonic water. It's a blanco that certainly champions sipping, rather than shotting!
Espolòn is a brand created by Cirilo Oropeza, an acclaimed master distiller with over 50 years of experience distilling tequila under his belt. Based in Los Altos in the highlands of Jalisco, the region is famous for its rich red clay soil, perfect for growing blue agave.
The Blanco Super Premium Tequila is double distilled to give it a perfectly smooth and balanced taste profile, making it a great basis for a margs. Those who love tequila culture will especially enjoy Espolòn's distinctive labels, which are inspired by 19th-century Mexican art.
El Jimador's Tequila Reposado is a premium tequila produced and bottled at Casa Herradura. It's made using 100% hand-harvested blue weber agave, which is naturally fermented and double distilled.
The two-month ageing process in handmade American oak barrels is what creates a gorgeous golden tone, with warm seasoned flavours and a smooth, confident agave character. Boasting a luscious combination of spice, fruit, wood, vanilla and toasted hazelnuts, it creates a mellow margarita that tastes divine!
Blanco tequila may be known as the best base for a margarita, but if you're looking to bring something slightly different to the table, take a look at the Reposado Tequila by Olmeca Altos. Reposado has the signature citric quality, but with vanilla, wood and honey notes.
Margarita purists may be sceptical, but we think these richer, warmer notes bring a lot of sweetness and balance. High-quality and flavourful, it can just as easily be enjoyed on the rocks as in a margs.
Founded in the UK by two friends who were disappointed at the low-quality tequila options available here, VIVIR's Tequila Blanco is crafted from estate-grown highland blue weber agave in Jalisco, Mexico.
Using the traditional hornos mud outdoor oven, the agave is cooked to produce a clean profile and floral spirit. We were drawn to this product because of its fresh, verdant bottle and tactile design. However, this young new brand hasn't yet reached the heights as more established options, and is a little on the pricier side.
If you want to explore, vodka and gin are popular substitutes for tequila. Vodka works well in the place of tequila. Also called a vodkarita, naturally, the drink tastes different from your regular margarita, but the blander taste of vodka allows for plenty of room for experimentation to develop unique vodkarita flavours.
To make a classic margarita, remember the 3-2-1 ratio: three parts tequila, two parts good triple sec, and one part lime juice (fresh is always the best). Shake it up, then serve it on the rocks with salt or in a chilled glass.
Written and researched by Melanie McPhail
No. 1: Patrón|Silver Tequila
No. 2: Olmeca Altos|Plata Tequila
No. 3: Casa Dragones|Blanco Tequila With Presentation Box
No. 4: Don Julio|Blanco Tequila
No. 5: Código 1530|Rosa Tequila
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
Automotive
Baby Products
Beauty
Books
Business, Industry & Science
Computers & Accessories
DIY, Garden & Tools
Electronics & Photo
Fashion
Grocery
Health & Personal Care
Home & Kitchen
Large Appliances
Musical Instruments & DJ
PC & Video Games
Pet Supplies
Sports & Outdoors
Stationery & Office Products
Toys & Games