7 Best Agave Nectars for Margaritas: Elevate Your Cocktail
Last Updated on November 26, 2023 by Lydia Martin
Agave Nectar is not just a sweetener; it’s a flavor enhancer that elevates the taste, texture, and authenticity of your Margarita, ensuring that each sip is a delightful journey into the heart of Mexico’s most famous concoctions.
Our dedication to creating Margarita cocktail recipes that stand out from the rest led us to experiment with Agave Nectar, and the results were nothing short of remarkable. Here’s our highly recommended agave nectar for Margaritas.
Top 7 Agave Nectars To Use For Margaritas
1. TRES AGAVES Organic Cocktail Agave Nectar
Average Price: Roughly $7.99 (Total Wine)
Sugar Level: Light
Star Rating: ★★★★★
Why We Like It: Unlike agave syrup, the agave nectar dissolves effortlessly in Margarita’s recipe- no clumps, no fuss, just seamless integration into our classic margarita recipe.
“Agave nectar turns Margaritas into liquid gold.” -Liquor Laboratory
Tasting the Margarita, it is perfectly balanced, with a hint of sweetness that complements freshly squeezed lime juice in a salted rim margarita glass (we used kosher salt).
2. Monin Agave Organic Nectar
Average Price: Roughly $15 (MSRP)
Sugar Level: Medium
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Why We Like It: Monin offers a medium level of sweetness and can be your Cinco de Mayo go-to drink.
Mixing Monin in our classic margarita recipe has the right amount of sweetness, enough to enhance the citrusy notes of the limes and tequila, unlike an orange liqueur.
3. Herradura Agave Nectar
Average Price: Roughly $7.99 (Total Wine)
Sugar Level: Medium
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Why We Like It: Herradura brings a unique flavor profile that’s subtly floral with the right sweetness to the recipe. I can compare its taste to honey, but it is less viscous.
It elevated my classic Margarita recipe, making it incredibly satisfying without being overly sugary, unlike orange liqueur.
4. Madhava Organic Light Agave
Average Price: Roughly $7.99 (Total Wine)
Sugar Level: Light
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Why We Like It: It’s the best Margarita recipe sweetener for those who appreciate a delicate touch of sweetness in their cocktails.
When I used it in our classic Margarita recipe, the sweetness complements Margarita’s tangy lime notes from lime juice and the bold tequila. I appreciate that it doesn’t overpower the drink.
5. Senor Maguey Agave Nectar
Average Price: Roughly $25.29 (Drizly)
Sugar Level: Medium
Star Rating: ★★★☆☆
Why We Like It: When I first used Señor Maguey in the recipe, I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of flavor it brought to the table.
Here’s the Margarita recipe: Fill the cocktail shaker with ice, then mix in tequila, fresh lime juice, and agave nectar. I poured the mixture into an old-fashioned glass and lime wedge as a garnish (you can dip the rim in salt).
Its medium-level sweetness harmonizes beautifully with the Margarita’s tart fresh lime juice and the robust tequila.
6. Amoretti Organic Amber Blue Agave Nectar
Average Price: Roughly $19.95 (MSRP)
Sugar Level: Sweet
Star Rating: ★★★☆☆
Why We Like It: I was captivated by its depth of flavor as I followed the Margarita recipe. I mixed some ice, tequila, lime juice, and agave nectar in a cocktail shaker instead of my typical Cointreau.
I pour it into glasses with salt on the rim and lime slice as garnish. It’s a luxuriously sweet concoctions and tart without being overwhelming. You can stir it in a glass with ice, but I prefer to shake this delicious drink.
7. Stevia Agave Nectar
Average Price: Roughly $9.95 (MSRP)
Sugar Level: Light
Star Rating: ★★★☆☆
Why We Like It: Using Stevia in the recipe is a revelation in achieving sweetness without the guilt.
For the margarita recipe, fill the cocktail shaker with ice and shake Stevia agave nectar (substitute for orange liqueur), tequila, and lime juice.
“If life gives you limes, make Margaritas.” -Jimmy Buffett, Musician
It’s the perfect choice for those seeking a low-calorie alternative to Cointreau in their cocktails for Cinco De Mayo.
Note: Our star ratings were crafted in a blind tasting, where each agave nectar was evaluated for its ability to enhance Margaritas. We considered factors like flavor balance, aroma, smoothness, and overall quality when mixed in cocktails.
FAQs
Is agave nectar necessary for a Margarita?
Agave nectars are not strictly necessary for a Margarita, as traditional Margarita recipes [1] typically use orange liqueur (like Triple Sec and Cointreau) for sweetness. Some use mango and orange juice, too.
However, many mixologists and mixed drinks enthusiasts prefer to use it because it adds a unique flavor. You can shake the delicious drink or stir well in a glass with ice.
Is simple syrup or agave nectar better for Margaritas?
Agave nectar is better for Margaritas. It tends to create a more complex flavor profile in the margarita recipe.
A splash can enhance the tequila’s character, especially when using blanco tequila [2], resulting in a deeper and richer Margarita. While others prefer a cocktail shaker, you can stir it in a glass with salt on the rim.
Key Takeaways
Agave Nectar offers a unique and versatile sweetening option for Margaritas, enhancing the cocktail experience in various ways.
Whether seeking a more profound and complex flavor profile or aiming for a crisper and cleaner taste, Agave Nectar’s adaptability allows you to tailor your Margarita to your specific preferences.
TRES AGAVES stands out as the best Margarita sweetener. It has a striking balance of sweetness and authentic flavor of Margarita. Dip the rim of the glass in salt, and then you can enjoy it on the rocks.
References:
- https://www.thespruceeats.com/fresh-margarita-cocktail-recipe-759317
- https://www.britannica.com/topic/tequila-distilled-liquor
