Best Tequila for Mixed Drinks

Updated April 2026.

For mixed drinks, the IBA already specifies 100% agave tequila on the Margarita (50 ml) and the Paloma (50 ml). Most US blancos print 40% ABV, so that 50 ml pour is about 1.13 NIAAA drinks; a US 1.5-ounce highball is one drink. Mixto can still say “tequila” at 51% or more agave sugars — it is a different mixer. This is not a 2023 list of 15 bottles.

Gold / joven plus caramel is not blanco. Related: margarita tequila, Paloma tequila, silver vs gold.

IBA pours, not medals

Drink Tequila in the card Drinks at 40%
IBA Margarita 50 ml 100% agave + 20 ml triple sec + 15 ml lime ~1.13 from the tequila; triple sec extra
IBA Paloma 50 ml 100% agave + 5 ml lime + 100 ml grapefruit soda ~1.13
US 1.5 oz highball House Paloma / Ranch Water / soda 1.00
Mixto gold Legal tequila, different sugars Same math at the same proof

Four 50 ml 40% mixed drinks are about 4.5 drinks before liqueur. NIAAA binge pattern is a health line, not a target. No invented MSRP. Pour math: tequila drinks.

Sources

  • IBA Margarita: 50 ml tequila 100% agave. IBA Paloma: 50 ml 100% agave tequila. Fetched / search-confirmed iba-world.com.
  • NOM-006 / 27 CFR 5.148. Mixto vs 100% is the label line.
  • NIAAA December 2025.

Leave a Comment