The 22 Best Tequila Brands For Sipping, Mixing, and Shooting (2024)

Did you know that tequila is technically a type of mezcal? Or that it's an incredibly versatile spirit? While classic margaritas are objectively delicious, there's a whole world of tequila-based cocktails out there, from colorful tequila sunrises to effervescent palomas. And the top-shelf stuff is fantastic served either neat or on the rocks.

You'll want to pick a bottle at the liquor store that suits your drinking plans, and don't be intimidated by the sheer number of options out there. We’ve rounded up some of the best and most popular tequila brands—including a few of our editor’s favorites.

But first, here's everything you need to know about tequila before buying.

What is the smoothest tequila?

Good question! Tequila begins its life as an agave plant. The jimador—the expert farmer who grows and harvests agave plants—plucks the core of the agave, the piña, and roasts it in an industrial oven. Then it's shredded, fermented, and distilled in copper pots. Depending on the brand, flavor may then be added to the finished product. It also may go into giant oak barrels to be aged from anywhere between two months and several years—leading to a much smoother, less bitter taste.

Agave plants only have one piña, and plants take around seven years to mature. Because of that, tequila-making can be a very difficult and time-consuming business.

What are the different types of tequila?

Blanco

The difference is all in the aging process. Blanco (sometimes called "silver") is un-aged tequila, and is usually bottled soon after it's distilled. As the name suggests, blanco tequila is the clearest in color and goes well in mixed drinks or as a complement to traditional Mexican recipes. Most blanco tequilas have a recognizably citrusy flavor, which can add a zing to any cocktail or dish.

Reposado

Reposado tequilas are rested for two months to a year before being bottled, and typically rested in oak barrels. As a result, they have a golden hue.

Añejo

Añejo (which means "aged" in Spanish) is aged for at least one year, but less than three years. It has a gold or light brown color compared to blanco or reposado tequilas. This longer aging process gives it a more complex flavor, which that can be better appreciated when sipped alone rather than mixed into a cocktail. It tends to have the sweetest taste out of all the others, and a distinctly oak-y flavor.

Get cooking!

Tequila-centric recipes aren't just for cocktails. The spirit is also handy in the kitchen. Unaged tequila blanco tends to convey a light, cool, citrus-forward flavor, so it best belongs in dishes that are equally light and citrus-y, like this easy shrimp ceviche or these tequila-lime chicken tacos. This Jose Cuervo Especial Silver is a great contender, as is its Gold counterpart.

Tequila reposado, with its classic notes of vanilla, coconut, and honey, works best in neutral dishes that need an extra kick. It's a fit for spicy, fruit- or veggie-themed dishes, like a fiery salsa borracha or in a simple citrus vinaigrette to drape over this watermelon Caprese salad. You can also try it in these tequila- and mustard-glazed chicken skewers.

Lastly, tequila añejo or extra añejo (that's extra-aged!) have bold, oaky aromas from their long stays in oak barrels. Their strong, sweet vanilla undertones play well in heavy sauces and marinades that themselves are a little sweet. Toss it into dishes like honey BBQ wings or penne alla vodka (yes, you can make this with tequila!). You could even use Don Julio Añejo in this bold tequila-spiked caramel corn.

Our Top Picks

• Best Overall Tequila: Herradura Silver Tequila
• Best Budget Tequila: Sauza Silver Tequila
• Best Value Tequila: Tres Generaciones Plata
• Best Gift: Volcan De Mi Tierra X.A Tequila
• Best Splurge: Don Julio 1942
• Best Tequila for Beginners: Olmeca Altos Plata Tequila
• Best Tequila for a Crowd: Dulce Vida Blanco
• Best Tequila for Cocktails: Milagro Select Barrel Reserve Reposado
• Best Tequila for Marg Night: Tequila Cazadores Blanco
• Best Tequila for Showing Off: AsomBroso Eros Reposado Tequila
• Best Tequila for Special Occasions: Patrón Añejo
• Best Tequila for Sipping Neat: Don Julio 70 Cristalino Tequila
• Best Tequila for Shots: Cutwater Blanco Tequila
• Best Flavored Tequila: 21Seeds Tequila
• Best Spicy Tequila: Hornitos Plata Tequila
• Best Blanco Tequila: El Tequileño Platinum
• Best Tequila for Cooking: Jose Cuervo Especial Gold
• Best Tequila for Marinades and Sauces: Avión Añejo
• Best Tequila for Citrusy Dishes: Espolòn Blanco Silver Tequila
• Best Reposado Tequila: Teremana Reposado Tequila
  
• Best Cristalino Tequila: 1800 Cristalino Tequila
• Best New Tequila: Villa One Silver Tequila
  

How we picked these products

We scoured the internet, spoke to experts, and tasted dozens of bottles to come up with an exhaustive list of the best tequilas for every budget and occasion. We also considered price, distillation process, aging time, added flavors, and smoothness.

Let's get into 22 of our all-time favorite tequilas, and see what our editors had to say about a few of them! (Psst: Want something besides tequila? These are the best vodkas and whiskeys you can buy.)

One of the most luxurious tequilas on this list, Don Julio 1942 sports a steep price tag, making it a great option for special occasions. It's aged for a minimum of two-and-a-half years in American white-oak barrels and is the best choice for the tequila connoisseurs in your life. Oh yeah, and the Kardashians love it.

Patrón is a crowd favorite for many reasons; one being its versatility. It can be sipped neat, over ice, or mixed into a cocktail. With pleasing notes of oak, vanilla, and roasted agave, it's a safe bet.

Añejo tequila must be aged for just one year, but Avión makes sure its añejo stays in barrels for two years. Doubling that age requirement is what gives this tequila its characteristic amber color and aromas of burnt agave, peach, and persimmons

Hornitos Plata Tequila is a standard mid-shelf bottle, a great buy for any occasion where you aren't looking to spend much but don't want to sacrifice taste. You'll notice its lively floral and herbal notes.

Another celebrity tequila brand, Villa One is made with the help of Nick Jonas. It sources agave from the highland and lowland regions of Jalisco, Mexico. With agave from both regions, Villa One combines the herbaceous, earthy lowland notes and the sweeter, fruity notes of highland agave.

While you can technically make a margarita with any kind of tequila, it's recommended that you stick with a blanco. It has a bright, citrusy, and crisp flavor that pairs well with lime juice. Tequila Cazadores is our go-to pick for making a margarita because it's affordable, flavorful without being overpowering, and super smooth.

Sarah Ceniceros Gomez's personal favorite is El Tequileño. "I tried it for the first time on my last trip to Tequila, Jalisco. They have little carts that sell cantaritos, and my friends and I were trying to taste as many tequilas as we could and this one was the one that tasted more seamless to me."

Jose Cuervo is a solid option if you're making drinks for a large crowd, since it's very affordable. It mixes well in cocktails—and is a great choice in the kitchen too.