While Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of the Mexican army’s victory over the French forces during the Battle of Puebla, many drinkers simply know it as a day they need to remember to take off from work like St. Patrick’s Day. That’s because, while they drink green beer and eat their weight in corned beef and cabbage in mid-March, the first week of May is penciled in for Mexican beer, tequila (and tequila-based cocktails, tacos, burritos, and epic quesadillas.
In my years of writing about alcohol (and drinking in general), I’ve enjoyed many Cinco de Mayo celebrations. Some were more epic than others, but I’ve always found a time for a bottle of Modelo Especial and a few tacos. And I don’t let a Cinco de Mayo pass by without enjoying at least one Margarita.
What’s in a Margarita?
Before I go any further, it’s important to give a little background on the Margarita itself. The traditional Margarita should not be frozen. That said, I have enjoyed many frosty Margaritas over the years. The classic Margarita is as simple as it is memorable. To make one at home, you only need three ingredients: fresh lime juice, triple sec (I usually opt for Cointreau), and tequila (usually a good Blanco will do the trick). You don’t have to salt the rim, but the salty flavor really adds to the citrus sweetness and vegetal agave flavor.
The best tequilas to mix into a Margarita
Now that you’ve learned a little about the appeal of the traditional Margarita, it’s time to make some at home on Cinco de Mayo. While the two other ingredients are important, there’s no ingredient that can make or break your Margarita like the tequila. Go too cheap, and there won’t be any flavors that can mask its harsh aroma and flavor. Too expensive, and you’re wasting your money mixing it into a cocktail.
Lucky for you, there are myriad options right in the middle. I’m talking about value-priced tequilas that are balanced and versatile. Keep scrolling to see some of my favorites.
How do I choose the tequilas?
Choosing the right tequilas for your Margarita is easier than it seems. I go by the value-price ratio. Since the tequila will be used for cocktails, you don’t need to purchase an overly expensive expression. I prefer well-balanced, flavorful Blanco tequilas over reposado or añejo tequilas. They need to stand out and shine through the other ingredients, but not be harsh or overpowering. Luckily, there is a lot to choose from.
Tapatio Blanco Tequila
This 100% Blue Weber agave Blanco tequila is produced at the family-owned La Alteña Distillery in Arandas, Jalisco. Made the traditional way, this additive-free expression is distilled twice in copper pot stills. This clear, unaged tequila opens with aromas of citrus peels, vanilla, agave, and pepper. The palate is centered on baked agave sweetness, cracked black pepper, clover honey, vanilla beans, and baking spices. The finish is long, warm, and dry, and ends with a mix of sweetness and peppery spice that leaves you craving more. This complex, balanced tequila is guaranteed to add agave sweetness and spice to your Margarita.
El Tesoro Blanco Tequila
Also produced at the La Alteña Distillery in Jalisco, Mexico, this popular tequila is made with simple ingredients like 100% Mexican Highland-grown Blue Weber agave, yeast, and water, without any additives or artificial flavors. It’s crushed with the traditional tahona wheel and double distilled in copper pot stills to proof. It’s unaged and immediately bottled. This results in a surprisingly complex tequila that begins with a nose of cooked agave, citrus peels, vanilla, orchard fruits, and white pepper. Sipping it reveals notes of minerality, baked agave, clover honey, vanilla, and baking spices. The finish is long, warm, dry, spicy, and sweet. It’s a great, multi-layered tequila for mixing into a Margarita.
Fortaleza Blanco Tequila
Made from 100% estate-grown Blue Weber agave, this small-batch tequila is produced using traditional methods, including stone-oven-cooked and tahona-wheel-crushed agave and open-air fermentation. It’s also distilled twice in copper pot stills. This creates a memorable, complex tequila that opens with aromas of orange peel, cooked agave, and white pepper. The palate is filled with flavors such as citrus peels, minerality, vanilla beans, licorice, and baking spices. The finish is medium, warm, and ends with notes of peppery spice and vanilla beans. The citrus and spice work perfectly in a classic Margarita.
Espolòn Blanco Tequila
If you only purchase one tequila on this list, make it Espolòn Blanco Tequila. You’ll want to use this expression for your Margarita and any other tequila-based cocktails. Made from 100% Blue Weber agave, this double-distilled tequila begins with aromas of citrus peels, tropical fruits, vanilla, and gentle spices. The palate is centered on notes of peppery spice, vanilla beans, orange peels, and light baking spices. The finish is long, warm, dry, and pleasantly spiced.
