What is the Healthiest Tequila? Answered (2023 Updated)

Last Updated on December 28, 2022 by Lydia Martin

It’s common knowledge that tequila is one of the healthiest alcoholic drinks. But most people don’t know which type is healthy and which is not.

If you’ve experienced terrible hangovers after some tequila shots the next day, you might be drinking the wrong bottle.

So what is the healthiest tequila? Let’s find out. 

What Type of Tequila is the Healthiest?

Blanco or silver tequila, labeled with “100 percent agave,” is the purest and healthiest type of tequila.

Blanco tequilas are generally bottled right away after distillation with no added sugars.

Aged tequilas are usually aged in used oak barrels before bottling. This may impart leftover compounds from the previous spirit in the barrel.

Gold tequilas are often mixed with another source of alcohol besides agave.

This alcohol can be sourced from other sugars and may contain additives and flavoring chemicals.

Does 100% Agave Make Tequila Healthy?

Yes, in a way. 100% agave tequila is healthier because it’s solely made from agave juice. If it’s not made from pure agave, then it is a mixto.

Mixto tequilas can contain up to 49 percent alcohol from other sources. These sources may include high fructose corn syrups and fermented grains.

It’s important to check and look for the “100% agave” label to guarantee that it’s purely made from agave alone and that there’s no added sugar.

Type of Tequila & Its Additives

Aged

Aged tequilas are labeled as Reposado, Anejos, and extra-anejos. These tequilas are usually aged in used whiskey barrels to impart some flavors. 

But aside from the flavors, it may also impart what’s leftover from the previous spirit aged in that barrel.

Other additives usually include oak extract to make it seem like it’s been aged longer and caramel to impart move vivid color.

Gold

Gold tequilas are often “mixtos,” which means that besides from agave, the alcohol can be sourced from other sugars and may contain additives and flavoring chemicals.

The most common additives include sweeteners, flavor enhancers, glycerin, and coloring.

These additives may contribute to hangovers and might cause negative effects in the long run.

While there are gold tequilas that are made with 100 percent agave, it’s often a mixture of Blanco and aged tequilas.

Blanco

Blanco is the purest type of tequila with no added additives and is bottled directly after distillation. Blanco or silver tequila usually has more profound agave flavors.

A Blanco is usually a clear spirit, which is low on congeners compared to aged spirits. Congeners are what makes hangover worst.

5 Healthiest Tequila Brands

1. Espolon

Espolon is a health-conscious tequila that’s carb-free with no added sugars. Its primary ingredients are blue agave, water, and natural yeasts.

Espolon is also gluten-free and keto-friendly.

As a carb-free tequila, it won’t consume your daily net carb allowance.

Though it didn’t disclose the use of additives, it’s very unlikely or minimal since it doesn’t taste artificial at all.

2. Herradura

Herradura is produced by one of Mexico’s oldest and most respected distilleries.

It’s made from naturally grown agave in their 25,000 acres field at their hacienda, thus ensuring quality agave plants.

Herradura is a healthy tequila made with 100% blue agave. Like all quality and authentic tequila, Herradura is gluten-free, keto-friendly, and has no added sugars.

3. Casa Noble

Casa Noble is one of the USDA’s first tequila brands to be certified organic.

Their tequilas are all made from 100% organic blue agave grown on-site in their 3,000 estate farm.

These tequilas are triple-distilled and produced in small batches to achieve the highest quality possible.

They also use new, lightly toasted French oak barrels instead of used whiskey barrels.

Casa Noble adapts sustainable farming practices, uses no chemicals and has no spillage in the production process.

4. Cazadores

Cazadores is famous for believing that Mozart’s music improves their yeasts’ performance during fermentation to produce a much better tequila.

“The Mozart effect relaxes the yeast.”

– Manny Hinojosa, Cazadores Brand Ambassador

But aside from the Mozart thing, Cazadores is known for its 7-step production process, involving double fermentation, double distillation, and a careful maturation process.

Cazadores are also made with 100 % agave, with no fats, carbs, or added sugars.

5. Sauza

The Sauza family is who we can thank for what the tequila industry is in the present.

They’ve made Mexico acknowledge the town of Tequila as the one and only source of tequila.

Furthermore, they have also passed a law stating that tequila should only be made from blue weber agave.

Sauza is, of course, made with 100 percent blue weber agave with no added sugar, zero carbohydrates, zero fats, and gluten-free.

FAQs 

Key Takeaways

Don’t be confused with the labels. Make sure to look for the “100 percent agave” mark on the bottle. Know the difference between pure agave and mixto tequila.

Since manufacturers don’t oblige to disclose what’s in a mixto bottle, it can be made with at least 51 percent agave and 49 percent of other sugar sources- like corn, sugar cane, and grains.

Lastly, Blanco tequilas are the best since its usually bottled directly after distillation, leaving no room for impurities.

Reference:

1. https://www.webmd.com/diet/tequila-health-benefits#1