Crafting a perfect Margarita presents the same challenge as a perfect Manhattan - with so few ingredients every one of them can break the drink and even subtle changes in technique can alter the final elixir. Packing 10 bottles a mile in 100 degree heat, preparing 8 identical cocktails in a few short minutes, and seeking exotic ingredients from afar has given this project an air of mysticism and spiritual discipline. It's also left me blackout drunk. But some journey's must be taken, and here you'll find the first leg - the best tequila for a heavenly Margarita.
With the rising popularity of quality tequila in the US it's more daunting than ever to stand before the tequila section of your local liquor store. I narrowed the field by settling on under-$40 blanco tequilas that were reasonably easy to find and whittled the final list down to 8 with the help of some trusted recommendations. A few of you will likely be disappointed that I didn't include any respasados, but I really feel that a Margarita needs the sharp agave flavor that too much time in wood mellows away.
Bodies well fortified after dinner and sakè at Tanuki, I scrambled to put together 8 identical margaritas as quickly as possible with a tequila heavy ratio of 4:1:1 tequila, lime, and Cointreau. The only criteria was what Margarita we most enjoyed, not what others would enjoy or what tasted 'right'.
1800 Select Silver - #1
A full fruity green and cocoa agave flavor that avoids being earthy evolves into a clean citrus note and finishes crisp. All the agave flavor you're looking for in a Margarita without any of the funky notes that can seem out of place.
Lunazul Blanco - #2
Buttery, savory, heady aroma reveals flavors of mild savory agave that sharpens into a tart finish. With less cocoa and more bread it's a bit more mild than the 1800 but it's aroma is intriguingly unique.
Corralejo Blanco - #3
Silky complex fruit dominates this incredibly smooth tequila. None of the savory flavors of the 1800 or Lunazul but the interplay of fruit leading up to a crisp finish really works well in a Margarita, especially if you don't appreciate strong agave flavors.
Hurradura Silver - #4
Smooth very mild agave and starfruit flavors with a strange aroma I could only describe as playdough. Hurradura is aged a bit longer than anything else in the group and while it's tropical fruit is fun, it didn't have the impact the cleaner blanco's did.
El Tesoro Platinum - #5
Seriously earthy agave dominates this tequila, so much so that I was able to call it out of the blind test by aroma alone. This obviously isn't even trying to be a 'smooth tequila', and we both appreciated it's honesty. I'd recommend this if you really really love agave.
El Jimador Blanco - #6
A strange bitterness and not much else worth discussing.
Cazadores Blanco - #7
Mild and pleasant up front but with a strong bitter aftertaste that didn't belong anywhere near a Margarita.
Sauza Hornitos Plata - #8
Harsh alcohol and acrid citrus, so bad I made another one to make sure I didn't drunkenly muck it up. It was just as awful the second time I wasted a perfectly good lime on it.
The takeaway:
A Cuervo product stole the show: Let's just start by discussing the big elephant in the room here - a bottle from the 1800 brand beat out all the fancy pants brands. I made a couple more of these over the last few days and sure enough, it's excellent. Also unique is the fact that it just so happens to be 100 proof.
An $18 tequila placed 2nd: Lunazul is the cheapest 100% agave tequila in the liquor store, and somehow it's fantastic. It just so happens that Lunazul is run by a former Cuervo owner. Conspiracy?
Sure, the 1800 won the battle for our agave-loving palettes, but I'd choose either of the top three depending on the situation. For the agave lover I'd recommend the 1800. Want to wow yourself and your guests for less than $20? Go Lunazule. Making Margaritas for a crowd that really isn't all that into strong agave flavors? Choose Corralejo. In fact, I could see a lot of folks putting Corralejo at the top of their list, it just so happens that Brandon and I preferred a stronger agave profile.
With one segment of the journey behind us, it's time to find 1800 Silver Select's ideal companion from a field of five radically different orange liqueurs. Finally, we'll test all manner of ratio's and tweaks to craft the perfect Margarita.
I applaud any effort to enlighten the internets with knowledge of quality tequila!
A few things I'd respectfully comment on:
- I too prefer blancos in my margaritas. But reposados often have more bite and plenty of character to make a great margarita. They aren't to be confused with those overmellowed anejos. Two to try: Siete Leguas Rep and Chinaco Rep.
- Honestly, 4:1:1 is way out of whack. I like 3:2:1 for simplicity and 7:4:3 for strong reposados. My favorite of the bunch you reviewed is the El Tesoro Plat (my standby for everyday margs), and the agave notes are perfect in a 3:2:1. A 4:1:1 is definitely going to make it seem a bit too cheeky.
- By the same token, I'm not a fan of 1800 Select because it tastes neutered to me. But it's probably one of the more approachable ones in a 4:1:1.
- Next time you're springing, try the Siete Leguas blanco. It's one of the better ones IMO and often it's under $40. If you're in another state, you could try the Casa Noble blanco which is an absurd $52 here but hovers around $40 out of state. It's really nice stuff too.
- My personal favorite blanco is the Arette Blanco. They also happen to make the best tequila I've ever tried, the Gran Clase. Be on the lookout when out of state (or ordering from Hi-Time).
- Other really nice blancos if you get a chance somewheres: El Agave, Don Abraham, Don Fulano.
Better yet, let's debate this over here at Casa Flynn sometime. I have a handful of the ones reviewed above, and a few others...you bring the Citronge, which I've never tried!
Posted by: Flynn | July 27, 2009 at 06:07 PM
I was waiting for someone to call me out on the 4:1:1. Yes, it's a bit too heavy for everyday drinking (although I do enjoy it this way from time to time with a good long shake), but I settled on that ratio for this part of the testing for a few reasons:
- This being the tequila tasting I wanted to bring the tequila forward as much as possible.
- If the winner could hold up under 4:1:1 conditions then it should be flexible enough to stand up to future abuse in the next two rounds of testing and tweaking.
- Though a tequila might taste better at a more traditional 3:2:1 or 2:1:1, I'm not sure that it would make such a difference as to rise in rank vs other Margaritas at the same ratio. (eg the El Tesoro will still have a bit of 'dirt')
That said, I'm really curious to try the El Tesoro at 3:2:1 to see how it plays.
Thanks for all of the recommendations! I'm especially interested in the Arette Blanco, not a bad price either. Is there an orange liqueur you prefer apart from the standard Cointreau?
We'll get together soon, swap booze, debate the finer points, and represent our booze nerdiness loud and proud!
Posted by: Tim Don | July 28, 2009 at 10:03 AM
Great info. I'm going to give Lunazul Blanco a try. I tend to make mine w/ 2 sugar cubes and 4:1 tequila to lime. I'll have to try the Cointreau instead. Cheers.
Posted by: sloper | August 21, 2009 at 10:56 AM
I have been drinking the Milagro Silver at $51 for the 1.75 litre. We make margarita's with it using simple syrup lemons limes and cointreau.
pvienneau@comcat.net
Posted by: pat v | February 10, 2010 at 03:43 PM
This is awesome, thank you!
Posted by: Malaka | March 01, 2010 at 08:21 AM
Wonderful article. I recently started on the Margarita Mecca journey myself. (Perhaps we are longing for warm summer days. ) Thank you for providing a few roadsigns. I second the Lunazul, but don.t tell anybody. ;p
Posted by: Mark | March 17, 2011 at 08:49 PM
Try the Patron Citronge instead of Cointreau. It, in my humble opinion, is delicious.
Posted by: Keri | June 06, 2011 at 08:40 PM