10 Best Budget Tequilas for Margaritas: Quality Choices (2023)
Last Updated on September 22, 2023 by Lydia Martin
The quest for that perfect, refreshing, and delicious Margarita often lies in the crucial decision of which tequila to pick.
I’ve been there, standing in front of endless tequila options at the liquor store or in my collection, contemplating the best choice.
So, if you find yourself wondering about the best budget tequila for Margaritas, let me share the best collection I have tried so far. Keep reading.
Top 10 Cheap Tequilas For Margaritas
1. 1800 Blanco
Average Price: around $37 (Company website)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Nose: Balanced aroma of fruit notes and spices
Palate: Smooth, balanced, and clean with a sweet prune flavor and black pepper finish
Star Rating: ★★★★★
Why We Like It: For those with more delicate taste buds like me, you must have noticed the black pepper and citrus notes of 1800 Blanco tequila.
But that is not what makes it one of my best cheap tequilas for Margaritas. Its versatility and smoothness make it a refreshingly bright base.
2. Ghost Tequila
Average Price: around $33 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Nose: Bold and spicy aroma with agave notes
Palate: A gradual build-up of ghost pepper spice flavor, leading to a unique fiery taste
Star Rating: ★★★★★
Why We Like It: If you want to craft a fiery, delicious Margarita, try Ghost. Sipping straight, Ghost has an alcohol burn that slowly fades into a spicy aftertaste, making it the perfect base for fiery cocktails.
I also recommend it for people who also love mezcal.
3. Peligroso Silver
Average Price: around $32 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 42% ABV
Nose: Strong agave notes, mint, banana, and a slight hint of medicinal smell
Palate: Smooth with hints of vanilla and roasted agave
Star Rating: ★★★★★
Why We Like It: The silver/blanco tequila promises big agave flavors, making it one of my favorite inexpensive tequila products with a little punch.
It adds a well-rounded complexity of white pepper and agave sweetness.
Read: Top Chasers For Casamigos Tequila
4. Corazón Reposado Single Estate
Average Price: around $33 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Nose: Oak, barrel spice, vanilla, pepper, and cinnamon
Palate: Baked agave, honey, and black pepper finish
Star Rating: ★★★★
Why We Like It: This one has a sweet flavor that fades into an oaky aftertaste.
“The Margarita is an iconic drink that consists of just four ingredients. Everyone knows the heart and soul of the drink is tequila.” – Al Sotack, Bartender and Writer
When I use it for Margarita, its rich flavor profile adds depth and character, letting me craft a more refined drink than other brands.
5. Olmeca Altos Plata
Average Price: around $31 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Nose: Cooked agave with fresh citrus aroma
Palate: Oily mouthfeel and medium-bodied tequila, with crisp, clean agave and black pepper
Star Rating: ★★★★
Why We Like It: Olmeca Altos is a decent sipper and a delicious budget mixer.
The edges of Olmeca Altos, a medium-bodied tequila, can be covered with sugar and lime, helping me create a refreshing, tasty drink.
Also Read:
6. El Jimador Blanco Tequila
Average Price: around $24 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Nose: Cooked agave, pepper, sweet and mint
Palate: Agave-forward, with peppery, citrus, and herbal hints
Star Rating: ★★★★
Why We Like It: Like Olmeca Altos, El Jimador is also one of the best cheap tequilas for Margaritas, considering its affordable price and smoothness.
It’s an inexpensive tequila that offers a smooth and easy-to-drink base spirit to make barrels of Margaritas.
7. 21 Seeds Cucumber Jalapeño
Average Price: around $35 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 35% ABV
Nose: Fresh agave aroma with spicy jalapeño kick
Palate: A blend of cucumber notes, agave sweetness, and spicy jalapeño
Star Rating: ★★★★
Why We Like It: A Margarita commonly comprises tequila, lemon or lime juice, and orange liqueur [1].
But this product is infused with cucumber and jalapeño, putting another twist to the Margarita, letting you craft a spicy classic drink. But how many margaritas can make you drunk?
8. Lunazul Blanco
Average Price: around $23 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Nose: Fresh agave scent like a combination of salt and citrus, with tropical fruity notes
Palate: Crisp and straightforward flavor, with vanilla and citrus hints
Star Rating: ★★★★
Why We Like It: The clean and refreshing presence of this blanco incorporates an agave sweetness with citrus hints to the Margarita.
“For Margaritas, Blanco tequila is ideal: clear, bold, slightly sweet.” – Liquor Laboratory
It creates a bright summer drink that is perfect for the warm weather.
9. Sauza Hacienda Silver
Average Price: around $18 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Nose: Straightforward agave aroma with a subtle hint of floral or herbal smell
Palate: Strong agave taste with alcoholic punch and slight saltiness in the background
Star Rating: ★★★★
Why We Like It: This product does not have the best finish, but I still like to use it for cocktails. It is mild and blends well, not overpowering other ingredients of Margarita like lime.
10. Margaritaville Silver
Average Price: around $15 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Nose: Fruity notes like apples and pear with a woody and black pepper aroma
Palate: It delivers a prominent agave flavor with a sweet black pepper flavor
Star Rating: ★★★★
Why We Like It: This silver or blanco surprisingly goes down smoothly and tastes good, making it one of the best cheap tequilas.
It blends well when crafted with a summer cocktail, infusing it with lively characters that will remind you of beachside paradise.
*Note: Average prices are based on Drizly and the official product websites. The star rating was determined based on a blind test, with 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest. Each product was evaluated on its overall quality, tasting profile, flavor complexity, smoothness, and compatibility with Margaritas.
FAQs
Is it true that cheap tequila is good for cocktails?
Yes, various brands produce some of the best affordable tequilas that are good for cocktails. You can start with the blanco or silver if you’re just starting to mix drinks.
The added lime juice and agave syrup will help cover up the nuances.
Does the type of tequila matter in Margaritas?
Yes, the type of tequila matters in a Margarita because it affects the texture and taste of the cocktail. A bottle of blanco tequila would be the ideal choice for cocktails to make your drink refreshing and crisp [2].
Is clear or yellow tequila better for Margaritas?
Clear tequilas are usually the better option for Margaritas than the yellow ones. Check the bottle label to see if what you’re buying is made of 100% agave and if it is blanco or silver. But how much alcohol is in a Margarita?
In Summary
Agave spirits like Blanco tequilas usually lend your cocktails the freshest and purest agave flavors, while aged tequilas like añejo can incorporate a smoother character.
So, if you’re looking for the best cheap tequilas for Margaritas, it’s best to look for Blancos and reposados because they are more affordable than other tequilas.
References:
- https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Margarita
- https://www.bonappetit.com/story/types-of-tequila#
