Tequila is a versatile liquor you can drink straight or as a mixer. This agave-based liquor is particularly associated with margaritas, but its versatility makes it suitable for all kinds of cocktails.
While there’s nothing quite like taking a sip of tequila and biting into a lemon or lime wedge, there are numerous tequila cocktails to try. However, before you dig tequila cocktail recipes, you’ll first need to get your hands on a bottle suitable for tequila cocktails.
Our article will present five of the best tequila for cocktails, covering each product’s qualities, pros, and cons. We’ll also provide a general overview of tequila and how to choose the best tequila for cocktails.
What You Need to Know About Tequila for Cocktails
Tequila is an agave-based liquor. It is a distinct type of mezcal commonly associated with margaritas and party culture. You can drink tequila in many ways, including straight, over ice, or make cocktails with it.
Since you’re looking for a tequila for cocktails, you won’t need anything premium or fancy. The quality of tequila can affect the taste of cocktails you’re making, but there are many affordable options that work well. Below, we’ll cover what to pay attention to when buying tequila for cocktails, the average cost of a bottle, and where to buy it.
Tequila for Cocktails: An Overview
Tequila is made from the agave plant, more specifically, the blue agave. It’s a liquor originating from Mexico, and its production dates back to the 16th century. In terms of appearance, tequila can range from clear to dark amber brown. The appearance of tequila can tell you a lot about its variety, as there are different types of tequila. Here’s an overview of different kinds of tequila and how they differ.
- Blanco: Also known as silver tequila, blanco tequila is aged for less than two months or has not been aged. This type of tequila gets its name from its clear appearance.
- Reposado: Reposado tequila is aged for between two and twelve months. Reposado tequila, known as rested tequila, is golden in color.
- Añejo: Basically aged tequila, añejo tequila rests in oak barrels for between one and three years. It appears similar to reposado tequila but has a much darker hue.
- Extra Añejo: Aged for over three years, extra añejo tequila is the highest quality tequila you can buy. However, many believe that the pricing and the intricate flavors make extra añejo tequila too good for a cocktail.
Regardless of the type, the taste of tequila mainly depends on the amount of blue agave. Tequila must be made from at least 51% blue agave, with many premium tequilas having up to 100%. However, you won’t need to go for these tequilas to make cocktails. Any good-quality tequila will get the job done for a cocktail.
Due to its origins, tequila is a part of Mexican culture and heritage. There are countless tequila distilleries in Mexico that date back to the 18th century. While many appreciate the traditional methods that go into making tequila, the liquor itself is more associated with parties, particularly in the United States.
How to Choose the Best Tequila for Cocktails
With different types and countless brands, choosing tequila for cocktails isn’t a straightforward task. Here’s what to keep in mind when buying tequila to make cocktails.
- Price: Although we’ll cover the pricing below, you shouldn’t spend too much on tequila for cocktails. You can go with more premium options that will add depth and complexity, but you will get your money’s worth more with a mid-range tequila that suits the specific cocktails you’re making.
- Age/Type: The age or the type of tequila matters a lot for cocktails. For example, when making a classic margarita, the peppery citrus flavors of blanco tequila complement the drink more than the oaky taste of aged tequila, such as añejo and extra añejo tequila. While some drinks call for the rich flavors of aged tequila, blanco and reposado tequila are generally more suited for cocktails.
- Distillery: If you want to buy a bottle of tequila to make cocktails and stick to it for the future, look for reputable distilleries with wide availability. Depending on your region, some tequila brands may not be available in the nearby liquor stores.
What Does Tequila for Cocktails Cost?
There’s a lot of variability in the pricing of tequila. As mentioned above, the type is the main factor determining how much you will pay for a bottle. Generally, a decent 750ml tequila bottle to make cocktails shouldn’t cost more than $50.
However, these apply to blanco and reposado tequilas. When you enter the realm of aged tequilas, you’ll need to pay a lot more, in the range of several hundred.
Where Can You Buy Tequila for Cocktails
Tequila is one of the most popular liquors in the United States. You’ll have multiple options even in small liquor stores. That said, you can buy tequila anywhere that sells alcohol. However, some products have limited availability, and you may need to order from an online shop like Speakeasy, but only if your state allows online liquor sales.
The Best Tequila for Cocktails
Now that you have an understanding of tequila for cocktails, here are our top picks. We’ve included a wide range of tequilas to ensure you’ll have at least one or two options for the specific cocktails you want to make.
Hotel California Tequila Blanco
- MSRP: $52.99
- Proof: 80 proof / 40% ABV
- Tasting Notes: Sweet Agave, Honey, Floral, Tropical Fruits
- Our Rating: 5 stars
Hotel California Tequila Blanco is a versatile tequila you can use to make various cocktails. It makes a great base for classic and modern tequila cocktails, making it an adaptable tequila that will serve you in many ways.
This Blanco tequila from Hotel California makes a particularly good base for margaritas, which is why it was one of our top picks for the best tequila for margaritas. The sweet agave and floral aromas complement the citrusy nature of margaritas.
While a versatile tequila for cocktails, at $52.99 a bottle, the pricing can be a little out of budget if you’re looking for something cheap. There’s also availability. Unless you’re on the East Coast, West Coast, or Texas, you may have difficulty finding it in liquor stores and have to order online. Fortunately, you can buy it on Speakeasy.
Pros:
- It’s an excellent tequila for margaritas.
- It’s a versatile tequila you can use for making all kinds of cocktails.
Cons:
- It’s more on the expensive side.
- It has limited availability.
Blanco tequila: https://speakeasyco.com/blogs/lists/best-blanco-tequila
Nosotros Tequila Reposado
- MSRP: $52.99
- Proof: 80 proof / 40% ABV
- Tasting Notes: Cinnamon, Cooked Agave, Vanilla
- Our Rating: 4 stars
Nosotros Tequila Reposado is an excellent choice for making cocktails if you’re looking for something between blanco tequila and añejo tequila. Naturally, this tequila is one of the best options for those wanting to add enough complexity to their tequila cocktails without spending hundreds on a premium bottle.
You can use Nosotros Tequila Reposado to make any cocktail requiring a tequila. The cinnamon and vanilla aromas match particularly well with cocktails like old fashioned. Overall, Nosotros Tequila Reposado is a great tequila for cocktails. It can also double as a sipping tequila when you’re too lazy to make a cocktail.
However, there are a couple of considerations. Like the above tequila, the price can be a bit expensive for a tequila you mainly intend to use for cocktails. Since Nosotros is known for having small batches, you may also not be able to find this tequila in nearby stores, depending on your location.
Pros:
- It adds a nice complexity to tequila cocktails.
- It doubles as an amazing sipping tequila.
Cons:
- It’s pricey.
- You may have difficulties finding it in stores.
Goza Tequila Blanco
- MSRP: $31.99
- Proof: 80 proof / 40% ABV
- Tasting Notes: Tropical Fruit, Citrusy, Vanilla, Clean
- Our Rating: 3.5 stars
Goza Tequila Blanco is a better-suited option for those looking for a tequila with a neutral taste profile. As with many other tequilas, you’ll notice hints of agave and vanilla, but it’s overall a neutral blanco tequila that makes a great base for all kinds of tequila cocktails.
The price of Goza Tequila Blanco makes it an even more attractive tequila for cocktails. It’s fairly inexpensive – one of the least costly on our list. With its neutrality and price, it’s worth trying, whether you’re making tequila classics or modern cocktails.
However, you should also consider a few things about Goza Tequila Blanco. Just as our second choice, Tapatio Blanco Tequila, can be a bit intense, this tequila for cocktails can feel too clean.
Pros:
- It’s a clean, neutral tequila for cocktails.
- It’s affordable.
Cons:
- It lacks complex flavors.
Buying the Best Tequila for Cocktails
We’ve covered a wide range of tequilas for cocktails keeping in mind the price and the type of tequilas out there.
When picking a bottle for cocktails, make sure to experiment with different tequilas, as well as recipes, to find the best one to your liking. Through experiment, you will find the best tequila for the cocktails you’re making in the quickest time possible. For more options to sip and mix with cocktails, don’t forget to check our tequila collection. Cheers!
