The Best Tequila for Margaritas: A Buyer's Guide from Blanco to Reposado

Nothing says South Florida like a cold margarita on a hot evening — and the single biggest factor in whether yours tastes like a beach vacation or a regret is the tequila. The good news: the best margarita tequila is rarely the most expensive one. Here's how we help customers pick the right bottle every day at our Hollywood and Oakland Park stores.

Rule One: 100% Agave, Always

Flip the bottle over and look for the words '100% agave' (or '100% de agave'). Tequilas without that label — called mixtos — can be up to 49% other sugars, and they're the reason margaritas get blamed for rough mornings. A 100% agave blanco at the middle of the shelf will beat a mixto at any price, and the difference in your glass is night and day.

Blanco vs. Reposado: The Real Debate

Blanco (unaged) tequila is the classic margarita choice — bright, peppery, and full of fresh agave flavor that cuts through lime and orange liqueur. If you like your margaritas crisp and citrus-forward, blanco is your bottle.

Reposado ('rested' in oak for two months to a year) brings soft vanilla and caramel notes. It makes a rounder, mellower margarita — especially good on the rocks or in a spicy jalapeño version where the oak smooths the heat. Añejo, aged longer still, is generally better sipped than mixed; save it for after dinner.

What to Spend

For margaritas, the sweet spot is the mid-shelf: enough quality that the agave shines, not so much that the lime juice buries what you paid for. Spend more only if you're drinking it on the rocks with a light hand on the mixers. At our discount prices, a quality 100% agave blanco often costs less than the big-box price on a mixto — ask our staff to point out the current best value on the shelf.

The Classic Recipe

Keep it simple: 2 oz tequila, 1 oz fresh lime juice, and ¾ oz orange liqueur, shaken hard with ice and strained over fresh ice with a salted rim. Fresh lime is non-negotiable — it's the second-biggest upgrade after the tequila itself. Batching for a crowd? Multiply by your guest count, stir in a pitcher, and shake individual pours as you serve.

Both stores stock the full tequila range — blanco to extra añejo, plus orange liqueurs at every price — and we're open late every night. Swing by the Hollywood store on US-1 or Oakland Park on W Oakland Park Blvd and we'll match a bottle to your margarita style.