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The 22 Best Tequila Brands For Sipping And Mixing

Here's a pick for every budget.

By Alexis Morillo, Valerie Magan and Gabby Romero
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Sarah Ceniceros

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

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.)

Best Overall

Herradura Silver Tequila

Silver Tequila
Best Overall

Herradura Silver Tequila

$44 at Drizly
Pros
  • Low price point
  • Great for sipping
Cons

    With hints of vanilla and citrus that blend with the distinct flavor of sweet agave, this tequila packs a punch with no lingering aftertaste. According to reviewers, it even tastes better the longer it sits out.

    "This I can be very helpful about! My father sips Herradura Blanco straight," said Sarah Ceniceros Gomez, Delish's senior designer. "We’re Mexican and this is his favorite."

    Best for Showing Off

    AsomBroso AsomBroso "Eros" Reposado Tequila

    AsomBroso "Eros" Reposado Tequila
    Best for Showing Off

    AsomBroso AsomBroso "Eros" Reposado Tequila

    Credit: AsomBroso Tequila

    If you care just as much about what the bottle looks like as you care about what's inside, AsomBroso Eros is for you. This show-stopping bottle will be the centerpiece of your bar cart. In our tasting, Delish staff immediately gravitated towards this bottle first for its gorgeous floral pattern and slightly, ahem, NSFW shape.

    And when we tasted it, we were blown away. The tequila picks up the warm, caramel-like flavors from the oak barrel for a luxurious sip. One of our editors said, "So smooth—no lime needed."

    Grab Eros so you can enjoy the tequila, then reuse the bottle as a flower vase.

    Best for Sipping Neat

    Don Julio 70 Cristalino Tequila

    Don Julio 70 Cristalino Tequila
    Best for Sipping Neat

    Don Julio 70 Cristalino Tequila

    Pros
    • Smooth taste
    Cons
    • Expensive

    Don Julio 70 Cristalino delivers incredibly smooth and flavorful sips, with little to no burn or aftertaste. Perfect for sipping neat, it's fresh, citrusy aroma complements a crisp agave and caramel flavor and a subtly peppery finish. Only downside? It's a bit pricey.

    "My roommate is from Guadalajara, also the state that Tequila comes from, and she likes Don Julio 70," Ceniceros Gomez added.

    Izabela Campos, Delish's assistant social media editor, agrees that this liquor is a winner. "Don Julio 70 is for sure very smooth for sipping on its own."

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    Best for Beginners

    Olmeca Altos Altos Plata Tequila

    Altos Plata Tequila
    Best for Beginners

    Olmeca Altos Altos Plata Tequila

    Credit: Drizly
    Pros
    • Smooth
    • Affordable
    Cons

      If you're new to tequila and don't know where to start, Olmeca Altos is a great introductory brand. Their plata tequila perfectly captures what a blanco should taste like: bright, citrusy, and refreshing.

      It's especially great for beginner tequila enthusiasts because of its smoothness. One of our editors noted that it's "soft and very easy to drink." And an added plus: its low price point makes it a low-stakes way to experiment with the spirit.

      Best Splurge

      Don Julio 1942

      Don Julio 1942
      Best Splurge

      Don Julio 1942

      Pros
      • Great quality
      Cons
      • Very expensive

      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.

      Best Gift

      Volcan De Mi Tierra Volcan De Mi Tierra X.A Tequila

      Volcan De Mi Tierra X.A Tequila
      Best Gift

      Volcan De Mi Tierra Volcan De Mi Tierra X.A Tequila

      Credit: Bourbon Central

      Volcan De Mi Tierra is made by Moët Hennessy, so you know it's fancy. This premium tequila contains a blend of reposado, añejo, and extra añejo tequilas. Blending is a common practice with whiskey, but not with tequila—but its impact on the flavor is huge.

      Volcan's X.A Tequila has a deeply fragrant aroma and a smooth, long-lasting finish. One of our editors described the flavor as "warm, floral, and smooth." It's an incredible gift for the tequila enthusiasts in your life—and the bottle is stunning.

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      Best Flavored Tequila

      21Seeds 21Seeds Infused Tequilas

      21Seeds Infused Tequilas
      Best Flavored Tequila

      21Seeds 21Seeds Infused Tequilas

      Credit: ReserveBar
      Pros
      • Naturally flavored
      • Great for cocktails
      Cons

        21Seeds is a relative newcomer to the tequila industry. Founded in 2019 by three women, their offerings fuse high quality blanco tequila with all natural flavors. We tried all three of their offerings—Cucumber Jalapeño, Valencia Orange, and Grapefruit Hibiscus—and couldn't agree on our favorite.

        One thing we could all agree on, however, is that 21Seeds tequila is the ultimate upgrade for mixed drinks. Bring a bottle to your next pregame and you'll be the MVP.

        Best for Parties and Special Occasions

        Patrón Añejo

        Patrón Añejo
        Best for Parties and Special Occasions

        Patrón Añejo

        Pros
        • Great in cocktails
        • Versatile
        Cons

          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.

          Best Cristalino Tequila

          1800 1800 Cristalino Añejo

          1800 Cristalino Añejo
          Best Cristalino Tequila

          1800 1800 Cristalino Añejo

          Credit: Drizly

          If you don't know what cristalino tequila is, here's a quick explainer. You take añejo tequila and filter it to remove the color and some of the more intense woody flavors imparted by the barrel. What you're left with is the lightness of a blanco and the smooth, nuanced flavor of an aged tequila.

          1800's Cristalino is our top pick for this category for its relatively low price point (the longer tequila ages, the more expensive it typically is), deeply complex flavor, and the ease of sipping. One of our editors described the flavor as sweet and smokey, and we totally agree.

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          Best for Cocktails

          Milagro Select Barrel Reserve Reposado

          Select Barrel Reserve Reposado
          Best for Cocktails

          Milagro Select Barrel Reserve Reposado

          Pros
          • Versatile
          • Complex flavor
          Cons
          • Pricey

          Reposado tequilas are rested in different kinds of oak barrels, which gives each a different taste. This Milagro reposado rests in American and French oak barrels, which gives it a smooth, clean flavor and a dry finish.

          "I like Milagro!" says Lindsay Funston, Delish's executive editor. "[It's] super smooth with subtle citrus and pepper notes."

          Best for a Crowd

          Dulce Vida Dulce Vida Blanco Tequila

          Dulce Vida Blanco Tequila
          Best for a Crowd

          Dulce Vida Dulce Vida Blanco Tequila

          Credit: Drizly
          Pros
          • Affordable
          • Smooth
          Cons

            Serving tequila to a crowd can be tough. Some people love an intense agave flavor, others want a smoother sip, and many dislike the spirit entirely. Enter: Dulce Vida.

            This 100 percent organic tequila is a great pick for parties and batched cocktails. It's smooth, lightly sweet, and a definite crowd pleaser. And, if you want to appeal to an even wider audience, try picking up one of their infused options (one of our editors described their lime-flavored tequila as a "margarita mix, but you make money now").

            Best Budget

            Familia Camarena Familia Camarena Silver Tequila

            Familia Camarena Silver Tequila
            Best Budget

            Familia Camarena Familia Camarena Silver Tequila

            Credit: Drizly
            Pros
            • Affordable
            • 100% Blue Agave
            Cons

              This 100-percent agave silver tequila is a great bang for your buck. Its low price point and high-quality ingredients make it a bar cart staple. It's fresh and smooth, making it an excellent budget option for summer marg nights with friends.

              Our tasters picked up slightly earthy notes, which would lend well to sipping straight or balancing out the brightness of a cocktail.

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              Best for Marinades and Sauces

              Avión Añejo

              Avión Añejo
              Best for Marinades and Sauces

              Avión Añejo

              Pros
              • Long aging
              • Great flavor in cooked dishes
              Cons

                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

                Best Herbal Notes

                Hornitos Plata Tequila

                Plata Tequila
                Best Herbal Notes

                Hornitos Plata Tequila

                Pros
                • Great budget option
                • Mild finish
                Cons

                  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.

                  Best Value

                  Tres Generaciones Tres Generaciones Plata Tequila

                  Tres Generaciones Plata Tequila
                  Best Value

                  Tres Generaciones Tres Generaciones Plata Tequila

                  Credit: Drizly
                  Pros
                  Cons

                    Tres Generaciones was created in honor of the Sauza family's 100 years of making agave spirits. It's made with 100 percent blue agave, is distilled three times, and punches far above its weight.

                    Their unaged plata tequila has a delightfully smoky flavor with clear botanical notes while still retaining the characteristically bright crispness of a blanco. It tastes way more expensive than it actually is.

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                    Best for Shots

                    Cutwater Spirits Cutwater Blanco Tequila

                    Cutwater Blanco Tequila
                    Best for Shots

                    Cutwater Spirits Cutwater Blanco Tequila

                    Credit: Drizly
                    Pros
                    • Smooth
                    • Neutral
                    • Affordable
                    Cons

                      You may know Cutwater for their convenient line of canned cocktails, but their tequila deserves a spot on your bar cart too. It's the ideal bottle for taking shots. We're looking for an affordable tequila that goes down smoothly, and Cutwater's Blanco Tequila fits the bill.

                      Delish staff noted that it has a soft flavor, neutral scent, and leaves no burn when you sip...or throw it back.

                      Best New Tequila

                      Villa One Silver Tequila

                      Villa One Silver Tequila
                      Best New Tequila

                      Villa One Silver Tequila

                      Credit: Cabo Wabo
                      Pros
                      • Sweet and fruity
                      Cons

                        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.

                        Best for Marg Night

                        Tequila Cazadores Cazadores Tequila Blanco

                        Cazadores Tequila Blanco
                        Best for Marg Night

                        Tequila Cazadores Cazadores Tequila Blanco

                        Credit: Drizly

                        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.

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                        Best Blanco Tequila

                        El Tequileño Platinum

                        El Tequileño Platinum
                        Best Blanco Tequila

                        El Tequileño Platinum

                        Pros
                        • Tropical notes
                        Cons

                          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."

                          Best for Cooking

                          Jose Cuervo Jose Cuervo Especial Gold

                          Jose Cuervo Especial Gold
                          Best for Cooking

                          Jose Cuervo Jose Cuervo Especial Gold

                          Pros
                          • Affordable
                          • Versatile
                          Cons

                            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.

                            Headshot of Alexis Morillo
                            Alexis Morillo
                            Associate Editor

                            Alexis Morillo is the Associate Editor at Delish.com where she covers breaking food news and viral food trends.

                            Headshot of Gabby Romero
                            Editorial Assistant

                            Gabby Romero is Delish’s editorial assistant, where she writes stories about the latest TikTok trends, develops recipes, and answers any and all of your cooking-related questions. She loves eating spicy food, collecting cookbooks, and adding a mountain of Parmesan to any dish she can.

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