Long before rabble-rousers began chasing shots of bottom-shelf booze with salt and lime, the Aztecs were fermenting agave sap. Known as “pulque,” the sacred beverage was reserved for gods and priests. But after the Aztec empire fell, Spanish conquistadors reimagined this drink into a sweet, herbaceous hooch enjoyed by all.
Today, a well-made tequila can set you back hellacious amounts of cash. (Think: $1,500 for a bottle of Asombroso Del Porto Extra Añejo.) Alas, if you don’t want to sacrifice rent money to the tequila gods, don’t despair. We’ve rounded up 15 bartender-approved tequilas that are pleasing and cheap—under $50 to be exact.
1. Tequila Ocho Plata ($44.99)
Made from Blue Weber agave grown in the Jaliscan Highlands of Mexico, Tequila Ocho Plata is a silky smooth spirit with complex notes of fresh-cut grass and a kick of earthy cinnamon. Though delicious when sipped neat, it also holds its own in a Paloma.
2. Casamigos Reposado ($40.79)
If you crave a star-studded tequila, look no further than Casamigos Reposado. Developed by actor George Clooney and two of his friends, this high-quality intoxicant dishes up flavors of dried fruit and spicy oak that play well in the Negroni-inspired La Rosita cocktail.
3. Mico Blanco ($35.99)
Light on the wallet and the palate, Mico Blanco is renowned for its essence of jasmine, wild honey, and white pepper. We recommend breaking out this spirit come Halloween and mixing it into the devilish Black Magic Margarita.
4. Fortaleza Blanco ($47.23)
Rich and buttery with an inviting vegetal complexity, Fortaleza Blanco is produced and bottled in Tequila, Mexico, using centuries-old practices. True aficionados will appreciate this authentic spirit straight, perhaps with a squeeze of lime.
5. Corralejo Añejo ($38.99)
Since Corralejo Añejo is double distilled and aged for a year in charred American oak barrels, the flavor is warm and inviting with nuances of baked pears, honey, and cardamom. If you buy this tequila, we recommend ditching the margarita and making an Old Fashioned instead. (Just trust us.)
6. Agavero Tequila Liqueur ($32.99)
Originally invented by tequila master Lazaro Gallardo in 1857, Agavero Tequila Liqueur is made from blue agave añejo and reposado tequilas that have been aged in medium-char French Limousin oak barrels. The boozy blend is then re-barrelled and infused with Damania blossoms. Syrupy with a whisper of toffee, this uber decadent spirit is scrumptious in an Espresso Martini.
7. El Mayor Añejo ($34.49)
Aged for 18 to 36 months in American oak barrels, El Mayor Añejo is an agave-forward liquor with rich, woodsy tones and nips of mango. We like to pair it with fizzy mineral water (Topo Chico is a good choice). Optional add-ins include lime juice, agave syrup, and orange bitters.
8. Teremana Blanco ($32.99)
Co-owned by America’s favorite wrestler-turned-movie star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, this premium tequila is meticulously crafted by hand in the Jalisco Highlands. On the nose, it’s earthy with a suggestion of spice. On the palate, it’s crisp and lemony—perfect for sipping.
9. Jose Cuervo Tradicional Reposado ($28.99)
Back in 1795, Jose Antonio Cuervo was the first dude to obtain a tequila license from King Carlos IV. Ergo, this 80-proof dram scores high on the authenticity scale. Even better, it’s smoky and earthy with a subtle sweetness balanced by allspice.
10. PaQuí Tequila Silvera ($46.99)
You can think of PaQuí as the gateway tequila. If you aren’t much of a drinker, you’ll appreciate this liquor’s rush of sweet agave and undertones of honeysuckle and lemon. Clean and smooth, PaQuí plays well in fruity, floral cocktails like the White Tea Shot.
11. DeLeon Tequila Reposado ($43.99)
First aged in American oak casks and then finished in French oak wine barrels, DeLeon Reposado is unlike any tequila you’ve ever tasted. At first sip, your palate will be greeted with a honeyed caramel flavor that unfurls into lingering notes of dried fruit and berries. Sweet, balanced, and oh-so drinkable, we recommend nipping this one neat.
12. Rooster Rojo Tequila Blanco ($35.99)
If you want a damn-good hooch that’ll wake up your tastebuds, check out Rooster Rojo Tequila Blanco. Fresh and lively with hints of citrus and pepper, this strong but pleasant spirit is good for mixing into margaritas and tequila highballs.
13. Mi Campo Reposado Tequila ($21.99)
As far as tequila distilleries go, Mi Campo is the quirky, blue-haired kid in the corner. Founded in 1991, the brand eschews tradition by aging the liquor in Napa Valley wine barrels. The result is sumptuous and smooth with a creamy, vanilla-forward profile and a kick of pepper that catches you by surprise.
14. El Espolòn Tequila Añejo ($37.99)
If you love bourbon, you’ll love this double-aged añejo by El Espolòn. For the first 10 months of its boozy life, this liquor sits in lightly-charred American oak casks. It then spends a two-month sojourn in refill casks from Wild Turkey Bourbon. The final product is love at first sip. Think: kisses of caramel and vanilla layered with pecks of raisin, cocoa, and wood.
15. CaliFino Tequila Blanco ($39.99)
Last but not least is this classic Blanco by CaliFino. Made using centuries-old practices, this tequila is exactly what you’d expect from an unaged spirit. On the nose, you’re welcomed by anise, cilantro, and warm agave. The flavor profile then offers a bouquet of herbs and a quip of flamed orange.
With rents skyrocketing and grocery prices at an all-time high, most of us can’t afford to drop $1,500 on a bottle of tequila. Does that mean we’re resigned to drinking astringent, eye-watering garbage? Not at all. Thanks to our bartender-approved list of the 15 best tequilas under $50, you can sip delicious hooch and save your hard-earned cash for stuff that really matters—like our top 12 gifts for bartenders.
