The Best Tequila for Margaritas [Expert Picks By Type]
Written by Taster's Club Internal Team | Updated January 2026
When it comes to crafting the perfect margarita, the magic truly begins with selecting the right tequila.
At Taster's Club, we've dedicated decades to mastering the art of spirits, and our experts have handpicked a selection of tequilas that promise to elevate your margarita experience from ordinary to extraordinary.
Join us as we explore these exquisite tequilas that can transform any margarita into a masterpiece.
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The Best Blanco for Classic Margaritas
Why blanco? Well, they offer the purest expression of the blue agave plant. This type of tequila provides that signature crisp, herbal, and citrusy punch that pairs so beautifully with lime juice and triple sec.
Fortaleza Blanco
Fortaleza Blanco is produced in the heart of the Tequila Valley. The process begins with stone-crushing the agave using a massive volcanic stone wheel, an increasingly rare method of production that’s sought after now. It’s then fermented in open-air wood tanks and double-distilled in copper pots. The small-batch approach makes it perfect for those looking for a rich cocktail from a distiller that refuses to cut corners.
Why It’s Perfect for Margaritas
If you want a margarita that tastes like you’re in Jalisco, this is your bottle. The earthy olive profile stands up well with the lime juice.
Region: Jalisco / Lowlands | ABV: 40.0% | 750ml
Purchase Fortaleza Blanco
El Tesoro Blanco
Like other traditionalists, they use a tahona wheel to extract the juices. What makes El Tesoro Blanco unique amongst others is that it’s distilled to proof. This results in pure and unadulterated tequila that captures the highland terroir.
Why It’s Perfect for Margaritas
The mineral-forward notes of green pepper and white flower add a clean finish that is incredible. The notes pair perfectly with a salted rim without being overpowering.
Region: Jalisco / Los Altos | ABV: 40.0% | 750ml
Purchase El Tesoro BlancoThe Best Reposado for Smooth Margaritas
If you find Blancos a little too sharp, a Reposado might be your best-suited type of tequila for your margaritas.
Herradura Reposado
Herradura Reposado is aged for 11 months (much longer than the two-month requirement) in charred American white oak barrels. It’s then produced at the historic Casa Herradura, one of the last remaining haciendas in the world. This natural process, combined with the extended aging period, creates a deeply rich reposado that’s a great bridge for cocktails.
Why It’s Perfect for Margaritas
The extended aging gives Herradura a rich feel with distinct notes of cooked agave and dried fruit. When used in a margarita, it creates a sophisticated drink. One that is smooth and sophisticated.
Region: Jalisco / El Valle | ABV: 40.0% | 750ml
Purchase Herradura Reposado
El Tesoro Reposado
La Alteña distillery ages its top Blanco for 9 to 11 months in ex-bourbon barrels. By using gentle aging techniques, the master distillers ensure that the sweet, fruity notes of the Highland agave are not overpowered by the wood.
Why It’s Perfect for Margaritas
This is the absolute perfect reposado for margaritas. It retains the floral punch you’re looking for while introducing a soft undercurrent of vanilla and oak. It makes for a margarita with a lingering finish.
Region: Jalisco / Los Altos Southern | ABV: 40.0% | 750ml
Purchase El Tesoro ReposadoThe Best Anejo for Luxury Margaritas
Aged for one to three years, añejos are often reserved for sipping, but they can make exceptional margaritas for those fancy occasions.
Don Julio Añejo
Don Julio Añejo is aged for 18 months in smaller batches using American white oak barrels. The small barrel sizes allow for an accelerating development of the sought-after complexities. The result is a tequila that’s globally recognized for its superior quality and consistency.
Why It’s Perfect for Margaritas
Don Julio Añejo transforms a margarita into a dessert-like cocktail. Perfect for an after-lunch or dinner experience. The strong notes of wild honey, butterscotch, and oak mean you can often reduce the amount of agave syrup or triple sec in your recipe.
Region: Jalisco / Los Altos | ABV: 40.0% | 750ml
Purchase Don Julio Añejo
Tequila Ocho Añejo
Tequila Ocho is a collaboration between third-generation tequilero Carlos Camarena and the late industry legend Tomas Estes. This bottle is slow-cooked in brick ovens and fermented in wooden vats. It’s a vintage spirit that offers a snapshot of a specific time and place.
Why It’s Perfect for Margaritas
Because Ocho focuses on the agave experience, even their Añejo retains a fruitiness that plays well with the lime. It adds a festive, spicy warmth to the drink that is absolutely delicious.
Region: Jalisco / Los Altos Southern | ABV: 40.0% | 750ml
Purchase Tequila Ocho AñejoThe Best Cristalino for Elegant Margaritas
Cristalino is a trendy category where aged tequila (usually Añejo or Extra Añejo) is charcoal filtered to remove the color.
Don Julio 70 Cristalino
A true pioneer in the Cristalino category, this specific Don Julio was created to celebrate 70 years of tequila-making by world-renowned Don Julio González. In fact, this was the world's first Cristalino Añejo, and it set the standard for the industry. It’s beautifully aged for 18 months in American white oak barrels, then charcoal filtered. An amazing tequila for any enthusiast.
Why It’s Perfect for Margaritas
Don Julio 70 creates a crystal-clear margarita that tastes smooth as silk. It lacks the burn sometimes associated with forward tequilas, making it dangerously drinkable on a hot day.
Region: Jalisco / Highlands | ABV: 40.0% | 750ml
Purchase Don Julio 70 Cristalino
Maestro Dobel Diamante
Maestro Dobel Diamante is a unique blend of Reposado, Añejo, and Extra-Añejo tequilas. Once blended, it goes through a specialized filtration system known as the "Diamante" process for a crystal-clear finish. It’s both a modern innovation with all the notes of a traditional tequila.
Why It’s Perfect for Margaritas
This sophisticated bottle adds a creamy texture to your margarita. If you want to serve a margarita that looks classic but tastes top-shelf and refined, this is the bottle to grab.
Region: Jalisco | ABV: 40.0% | 750ml
Purchase Maestro Dobel DiamanteThe Best Still Strength for Bold Margaritas
Still strength (or high proof) tequila is bottled closer to the strength it comes out of the still, usually around 46-55% ABV, so the less water means more flavor.
Suerte Tequila Still Strength Blanco
This tequila is distilled twice in small batches to achieve a premium, clean finish. Unique to Suerte, they use a slow-cooking process where hand-harvested agave piñas are roasted for 52 hours in traditional brick ovens. Their tahona-crushing method then helps extract the rich flavors while preserving the natural approach.
Why It’s Perfect for Margaritas
The higher proof makes for a dynamic flavor that remains prominent even with the citrus and other flavors in a margarita. Your drink will never taste watered down. Perfect for when you’re enjoying a heavily iced margarita in the sun.
Region: Jalisco / Los Altos | ABV: 52.0% | 750ml
Purchase Suerte Tequila Still Strength Blanco
G4 108
G4 108 is a high-proof powerhouse bottled at a staggering 54% ABV. What makes it unique is the distillery’s famous water source, a 50/50 mix of collected rainwater and natural spring water. The high proof is not just about strength; it’s about capturing the intense floral and spicy notes that can be muted by dilution.
Why It’s Perfect for Margaritas
This is for the ultimate spicy margarita fans. The natural heat of the high-proof spirit mimics the kick of a jalapeño. It totally packs a delectable punch!
Region: Jalisco / Los Altos | ABV: 40.0% | 750ml
Purchase G4 108 BlancoCommonly Asked Questions
Which Type Of Tequila Is Best For Margaritas?
In general, a Blanco tequila is considered the standard and is one of the most common types of tequila for margaritas. Why? Its agave profile pairs exceptionally well with the lime and the drink's sweetness.
However, if you prefer a more developed taste, we highly recommend a Reposado as an excellent alternative.
What Is The 3 2 1 Rule For Margaritas?
The 3-2-1 rule is a well-known formula that helps you make a fair and balanced margarita.
3 parts tequila,
2 parts triple sec (orange liqueur),and
1 part fresh lime juice.
As you begin to make more and more margaritas, you can try other ratios like a 2-1-1 for a fresher cocktail.
What’s The Best Budget Tequila For Margaritas?
You don't always have to break the bank for a great drink. For a budget-friendly option that doesn't sacrifice quality, look for bottles like Olmeca Altos. Or, another global favorite that is great for other cocktails is Lalo Tequila Blanco, an affordable option that’s versatile.
Find other amazing budget picks in our best tequila under $50 guide.
Does Tequila Quality Matter For Margaritas?
As you progress after your first margarita experience, the quality 100% matters. Without quality agave, your drink will be missing the clean taste.
For example, lower-quality tequilas often contain additives and sugar cane spirit, which creates a harsh taste that can give you a brutal hangover. When it comes to margaritas, do yourself and your guests a favor, treat yourself to the good stuff. It’s worth the extra few dollars.
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Give the Gift of Our Tequila Club for Experly Curated Monthly Picks
Join the Tequila Subscription Club for a truly personalized experience! With two exclusive tiers, you'll receive handpicked selections of our top tequilas from today's award winning tequila distilleries, featuring unique bottles you won't find in the store.
