The Best Tequila For A Margarita According To Bartenders (And Why The Right Bottle Matters)

Forbes

01-05-2025

Margarita cocktail with ice, lime slice and salt rim on a black slate board
Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner, which means it's officially margarita season. But while it's tempting to grab any bottle off the shelf and start shaking, the truth is: not all tequilas are created equal—and the right bottle can turn a good Margarita into a great one.
If you want a drink that's fresh, balanced, and worth celebrating, choosing the right tequila matters just as much as the lime juice or orange liqueur. I spoke to bartenders and beverage directors across the country to find out what tequila they're reaching for this May 5th.
Friends toasting, saying cheers holding tropical blended fruit margaritas. Watermelon and ... More passionfruit drinks.; Shutterstock ID 780298633
The best margaritas typically begin with clean, additive-free tequilas that allow the natural agave flavors to shine. As Jesus Ramirez, bartender at Lagarde American Eatery, explains, "I'm a big fan of Don Fulano—especially for margaritas. It's a clean spirit with no additives, and the agave plant flavor comes through very strongly. Other tequilas sometimes have additives such as vanilla, caramel, or oak flavoring that can throw off the balance and also leave a bitter aftertaste. Having that clean tequila/agave flavor is key to a great margarita."
Purity and balance matter even more if you're dialing back the sweetness, which is why many top bartenders favor blanco tequilas—or sometimes a carefully selected reposado—for their cocktails.
fresh lime juice margarita served on the rocks in a dark restaurant
While traditionalists might reach for a blanco, some experts find a well-made reposado adds just the right amount of depth. Nicolette "Nikki" Bonkowski, Bar Lead at Whiskey Neat in Fort Lauderdale, says, 'For a standard Margarita I find that I've been leaning more towards a Reposado because it has enough flavor and a touch of natural sweetness to it that you don't need to go heavy on all your other Margarita ingredients. A good one to use would be Tequila Ocho Reposado, 100% agave and no additives really shines a light on the quality and care you want to put into your cocktail. By adding only fresh lime juice and a touch of agave nectar, you'll have a quality Margarita that doesn't overpower the natural flavor profile of the Tequila."
Choosing a tequila that balances naturally with the acidity of fresh lime is crucial, especially if you want the agave character—not sugar or additives—to be the star.
Jonathan Kleeman, beverage director at Butcher Private a members club in Naples Florida, agrees that clean, smooth tequilas make all the difference: 'Ocho Blanco is such a smooth silver tequila. It's been my go-to for cocktails for a while now. That smoothness really helps, especially in more acidic cocktails. It rounds them out a bit, makes them a lot more drinkable, which, honestly, is what a Margarita should be. Fresh, delicious, and easy to drink."
Margarita Glass, No People, On Colorful Table at Mexican Restaurant
When it comes to other highly recommended bottles, bartenders had plenty of praise for clean, organic options. JoanRose Caguiat, Director of Beverages at The Ridley House and Medias Townehouse, singles out Tres Agaves: 'Tres Agaves makes one of the best margaritas by far. Their tequila is clean, vibrant, and made with 100% organic agave that gives it a fresh, authentic flavor without the harsh aftertaste. It's naturally a little sweet and citrusy, which pairs perfectly with lime and enhances the classic margarita taste.'
Natasha Bermudez, Bar Director at Kent Hospitality Group, recommends Mijenta Blanco, praising its versatility and complex palate: 'Mijenta Blanco's herbal nose, floral and mineral palate, and light tropical fruit finish make it the go-to choice for classic margaritas.'
For those who prefer a slightly bolder structure without losing that clean finish, Orestes Cruz, of Palo Santo in Atlanta, suggests Tequila Ocho Plata: "One of the best tequilas for a margarita that I enjoy is Tequila Ocho Plata. Tequila Ocho Plata provides a clean structure for the margarita with its creamy yet citrusy notes, balanced by a beautiful peppery finish.'
And for those willing to spend a little more for exceptional quality, Brian White, Beverage Manager & Sommelier at Epicurean Atlanta, recommends Cazcanes: 'To present the sublime margarita, I like to use a line of tequila products from Cazcanes. All of their products are organic and 100% free of additives. The Cazcanes Blanco No. 7 makes a wonderful margarita. The blanco is a little expensive, but the cocktail is clean and fresh. We use Cazcanes Blanco No. 7 for margaritas, palomas and other tequila-based cocktails.'
Still, there's no need to break the bank to get outstanding quality. As Beau du Bois, Vice President of Bar and Spirits at Puesto and Roma Norte in San Diego, puts it: "At $40 a bottle, El Tesoro Blanco is hands down the best choice. It's made by living legend, Carlos Camarena, from highland agaves that are cooked in ovens and tahona-crushed. Plus, no additives. At our Puesto locations, we make thousands of margaritas with El Tesoro blanco, you have all my confidence that it'll slap in any margarita."
Two glasses of margarita cocktail with a lime on the side
If you're building the perfect margarita, the recipe matters almost as much as the tequila.
The classic Margarita uses tequila, fresh lime juice, and Cointreau (or another high-quality orange liqueur). The Cointreau adds a bright, sweet orange note that balances the lime's tartness and rounds out the drink.
Tommy's Margarita, a modern classic developed in the 1990s, skips the orange liqueur entirely and instead sweetens the drink with agave nectar. It's cleaner, slightly less sweet, and puts the spotlight directly on the tequila.
If you're using a beautifully crafted, additive-free tequila, a Tommy's Margarita may be the best way to really let the spirit shine.
This is a photograph of barman serving cocktail margarita.
Instructions: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a salt-rimmed glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with a lime wheel.
Instructions: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a lime wedge.
Choosing the right tequila makes all the difference between a forgettable margarita and one you'll crave all summer. Whether you go for the clean agave punch of El Tesoro Blanco, the silky smoothness of Ocho Blanco, or the layered complexity of a Reposado like Tequila Ocho, starting with a great base spirit is key.