Whether you prefer your margaritas blended or on the rocks, knowing which tequila to choose is essential to crafting the perfect cocktail. Upon first impression, it may not seem totally necessary to focus too much on the specifics. Tequila is tequila, after all. But it turns out that different varieties of tequila are pretty diverse and could make or break your drink.
Añejo and reposado tequilas are both aged in oak barrels. However, the significant difference between the two is the time they spend aging. Reposado tequila only has to age for about two months to meet standards, but it can be aged for up to a year. Any time after that, it is classified as añejo tequila, which takes one to three years in the aging process.
While both tequilas are delicious, reposado tequila may want to be your go-to when it comes to making margaritas.
Known for aging in barrels between one and three years, tequila añejo has a darker color. It’s even a substitute for your favorite whiskey brands with certain cocktails. Tequila añejo has less of a bite to it. This means its smoother and sweeter flavors can complement any margarita.
They have slightly different flavors
All tequila starts with the same base: blue agave turned into mezcal liquor. The differences in aging time can create flavor differences between the two tequilas. Reposado often takes on the oaky flavors created by the barrels in which it has been aged. It also takes on sweeter vanilla and caramel flavors, as well as a little bit of spice. This tequilas smoothness blends well into cocktails, making it an excellent choice for extra flavor notes in your favorite margarita recipe.
Añejo, on the other hand, takes on deeper, richer flavors. Its tastes are more likely to have flavors like tobacco, oak, chocolate, vanilla, and cinnamon. It typically has a smoother flavor, making it ideal for sipping on the rocks. While adding this to your margarita recipe may be tempting, its flavors can be washed out by the more intense cocktail ingredients. Instead, its better to appreciate it on its own and use a lesser-aged tequila in your margaritas.
The tequila is what makes a margarita a margarita. Make sure you’ve got the right stuff in yours. Here’s everything you need to know.
Side note while on the topic: There are three categories of golden tequila based on the amount of time they’re aged. Reposado is aged from 2-12 months, añejo is aged from 1-3 years and extra añejo is aged more than three years. A reposado, while golden, is fine in a margarita (though not our first choice). The other two you drink neat, at room temperature, and you sip slowly. Please skip the lime and salt. (Uh-oh, I hope that didn’t offend you. I’m all for some lime-and-salt fun with the silver or cheap gold tequila. But the price tag on the añejos makes me want to sit back and savor so that I can taste every bit of the subtle caramel, vanilla, honey and leather flavors. It would make me cry if I knew you were out there lime-and-salting with an añejo. Just cry).
Tequila is the base of any good margarita. But how do you pick which one to use?
Authentic tequila originates from one of five regions of Mexico — Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit, Tamaulipas and Jalisco. Wherever it comes from, look for the words “100% agave” on the label. If they aren’t there, the tequila might also include corn syrup, sugar, artificial flavors or colors. So not cool.
Now that you know which tequila to get, it’s time to start mixing. Our favorite margarita recipes are the Best Classic Margarita and this Frozen Mango Margarita recipe.
The BEST Tequila Brands for Margaritas!
FAQ
Can you use tequila Anejo for margaritas?
Is anejo or blanco better for margaritas?
What kind of tequila is best for margaritas?
What is Anejo tequila best for?
What Tequila is best for margaritas?
Check out these tequila types when making your next margs and detect the differences in flavor: Blanco tequila – Typically, the best Margaritas are made with a Blanco Tequila. A Blanco, also called Silver Tequila, is unaged and known for its clean, crisp, and agave-forward taste.
What is the difference between Reposado and Anejo Tequila?
The difference between reposado and anejo tequila has to do with aging; while reposado tequila must be aged for a minimum of two months, anejo must be aged for a minimum of one year. These aging requirements impact the tequila’s flavor profile and appearance.
What happens if you don’t use 100% agave tequila?
Even if you use the ideal proportions of a top Margarita recipe, if you don’t use 100% agave tequila, the results will be lacking in flavor and taste. 100% agave tequila is made only from the agave plant, offering a cleaner, purer, and simply better taste. Mixed tequilas, or tequila mixto, only consist of 51+% of the agave plant.
What tequila should you use in a cocktail?
Building on Lozada’s tip, Barbanchino recommends using Blanco or Reposado tequila in more citrus-forward drinks, whereas añejo will shine in cocktails made with vermouth, as well as other aged spirits and liqueurs .