We Requested 14 Bartenders: What’s the Finest Tequila Beneath $50? (2025)

It’s no secret that tequila has develop into exceedingly widespread all through the US in recent times. As extra shoppers clamor to get their palms on the agave spirit, although, costs have elevated, with some beforehand inexpensive manufacturers reaching full-on unicorn standing. However that doesn’t imply there aren’t loads of knock-out tequilas available on the market providing some actual bang to your buck.

To be taught extra about the very best inexpensive tequilas, we requested 14 bartenders from throughout the nation to share a few of their picks. From blancos made by tequila royalty to expressions infused with 100% Mexican espresso, listed below are the very best tequilas underneath $50, in line with bartenders.

The very best tequilas underneath $50, in line with bartenders:

• Siete Leguas Blanco
• El Tesoro Blanco
• Cimarron Blanco
• Código 1530 Blanco Rosa
• Tequila Ocho
• Maestro Dobel
• G4 Blanco
• Arette Blanco
• LALO Tequila Blanco
• Nosotros Tequila
• La Gritona Reposado Tequila
• Costa Tequila
• Alma del Jaguar Blanco

“My decide is Siete Leguas Blanco. It’s an exceptional tequila that constantly over-delivers for its worth level. What makes it stand out is its stability: vivid citrus and peppery notes up entrance, with simply sufficient earthiness and cooked agave character to present it depth. It’s crafted utilizing conventional strategies, together with tahona-crushing, which actually preserves the integrity of the agave. Siete Leguas Blanco is clear, flavorful, and versatile — it shines in cocktails however is simply as pleasant sipped neat. At underneath $50, it’s an absolute steal for the standard you’re getting.” —Beau Bradley, head bartender, The Tyger, New York Metropolis

“El Tesoro Blanco is barely $40 and is your best option. This tequila is made by the tequila legend Carlos Camarena and sourced from highland agaves which can be then cooked in ovens and tahona-crushed. As an additive-free tequila, we use it at our Puesto areas to make hundreds of Margaritas.” —Beau du Bois, vp of bar and spirits, Puesto / Roma Norte, San Diego

“Cimarron Blanco — and Reposado in all honesty — are my absolute favourite tequilas, each at house and within the restaurant. They supply an unbelievable bang to your buck for high quality. The agave is grown within the highlands and goes via a sluggish and low roasting course of. No components and pure fermentation with winemaker yeast create extremely high-quality tequila with out the mass-production colours and components that make tequila style faux. Briefly, it’s made the suitable method all for a really cheap worth underneath $30 per bottle (for the Blanco).” —Alex Cuper, beverage director, El Che and Brasero, Chicago

“I may be reducing it shut on the value tag relying on the place you’re procuring, however I’d must go together with Codigo Blanco Rosa. It’s additive-free, which we love, however what’s extra particular is the French oak Napa Cab barrel end. It lends one thing so completely different, and I’m an enormous fan of various. There’s a pleasant berry be aware, a sublime blush hue, and nonetheless maintains these vivid agave notes with a little bit of pepper, however has a contact of floral to it. It’s simply so distinctive and permits for some very fascinating taste mixtures in cocktails. It’s very outdoors the field, which I like.” —Nick Hirsch, mixologist supervisor, RMD Group

“Tequila Ocho and Maestro Dobel are each nice tequila choices underneath 50 bucks. Every bottling of Tequila Ocho displays the precise agave subject and yr of harvest, providing a way of place and time — a rarity in tequila manufacturing. Maestro Dobel provides deep oak, vanilla, and caramel notes whereas sustaining a crisp, clear end good for sipping or upscale cocktails.” —Will Dasco, director of meals & beverage, The Ned NoMad, NYC

“A staple at house and behind the bar is all the time G4 Blanco. Grasp distiller Felipe Camarena is clear together with his practices, so that you will be sure you’re having fun with additive-free, 100% agave tequila. It’s moderately priced and simply accessible; the tequila has notes of cooked agave sweetness and viscosity, minerality, and herbaceousness that are available later, offering a prolonged, ever-changing end that leaves you coming again for extra.” —Jesus Muñoz, supervisor and agave professional, Jaguar Moon, Ventura, Calif.

“The very best tequila underneath $50 in my view is Arette Blanco. With notes of melon and white pepper, this tequila, distilled by the Orendain household, has every little thing you want. The household focuses on small-batch manufacturing and high quality and has been making tequila for 5 generations. The title is a tribute to a horse that received two Olympic gold medals in equestrian leaping. This tequila has historical past, household, small-batch manufacturing, and tastes superb. I severely love this model.” —Alex Anderson, beverage director, Peychaud’s, New Orleans

“In my view the very best tequila for underneath $50 can be G4, which sits within the $40–$50 vary. G4 is produced by Felipe Camarena, some of the revered [family] names in tequila, distilling tequila for 4 generations, therefore the title. G4 is additive-free, utilizing a 50/50 mixture of spring and rainwater which imparts a singular softness and minerality to the tequila. The agaves are slowly cooked in brick ovens, not autoclaves, after which crushed with a mechanical tahona-style curler to protect the agave taste and keep away from bitterness. This mix creates an earthy, clear, and deeply agave-forward ultimate product. G4 is nice for neat pours or a wide range of craft cocktails alike.” —Mickey Stevenson, lead bartender, 4 Partitions at The Joseph Nashville, Nashville

“LALO Blanco is my go-to tequila for wallet-friendly excellence. It’s clear, expressive, and distilled with outstanding restraint. No components. No shortcuts. Simply pure agave readability. Whether or not you’re pouring it neat or working it right into a cocktail, LALO doesn’t simply maintain its personal, it elevates all the expertise. There’s a confidence in its simplicity that’s acknowledged instantly. At this worth level, you’d be hard-pressed to search out one thing as versatile, refined, and cocktail-ready.” —Jonathan Camacho, beverage lead / assistant common supervisor, Grand Banks, NYC

“I might say Nosotros Tequila made in Los Valles, Jalisco. It’s twice distilled in a stainless-steel pot and created from 100% agave with no components. Very easy with a little bit candy and wealthy taste, it’s nice for sipping or mixing in a cocktail.” —Hugo Lopez, bar supervisor, Bakan, Miami

“La Gritona Reposado Tequila ($39.99 at Astor Wine & Spirits) is my prime inexpensive distinctive advice for a tequila. This pretty herbaceous tequila is ideal for a cocktail, but in addition one of many new tequilas I might get pleasure from sipping neat or on the rocks with a meal. The corporate is women-owned and -operated, and the tequila itself has no further components and is aged in reused American whiskey barrels. The agave crops are mindfully harvested and any stays after manufacturing are given to native farmers for cattle feed. The very distinctive hand-blown glass bottles are made regionally from recycled glass. I benefit from the ultimate product but in addition the influence of this tequila.” —Christiane Jones, head bartender, Chinese language Tuxedo, NYC

“Costa Tequila is a standout on the earth of tequila. With 4 distinct expressions, Silver, Reposado, Añejo, and Café, there’s a taste for each event. The Café expression, infused with 100% Mexican espresso, is ideal for mixing up an Espresso Martini, whereas the Reposado provides a easy and wealthy sipping expertise, particularly on the rocks. At such an inexpensive worth level — beginning round $25 for the Café and solely $50 for the Añejo — it provides nice worth with out compromising on high quality. Plus, the truth that it’s regionally owned provides a private contact that makes supporting Costa Tequila much more rewarding.” —Gino Zwirecki, beverage supervisor, Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar, Palm Seashore Gardens, Fla.

“In my bartending profession, I by no means fairly fell in love with tequila as an ingredient. I used to be all the time extra drawn to mezcal and its terroir-driven method, however final summer time I discovered a bottle of tequila price praising. I attended an occasion with Alma del Jaguar Tequila and their Blanco expression actually blew me away. It’s a highland tequila processed via conventional strategies and was created to assist elevate consciousness and help their wild jaguar conservation efforts. It’s nuanced and makes among the best Margaritas I’ve ever tasted. We preserve it stocked right here at The Chloe as a result of it’s develop into a workforce favourite to supply to visitors. Seize a bottle quickly as they’re slightly below $50 and beginning to develop into obtainable nationwide.” —Maximilian Menaker, beverage supervisor, The Chloe, New Orleans

“The very best tequila underneath $50 isn’t in truth a tequila in any respect, however a mezcal. Del Maguey Vida Clasico is the very best as a result of it provides a high-quality, genuine agave expertise at an accessible worth level. It’s made utilizing conventional strategies with 100% espadín agave, which ensures a real taste profile. The flavour is effectively balanced, with smoky notes complemented by hints of fruit and earthiness, making it interesting to each newcomers and seasoned fanatics.” —Jessica Murphy, bar supervisor, RT60 Rooftop Bar & Lounge / Laborious Rock Lodge New York, NYC

*Picture retrieved from malinkaphoto through inventory.adobe.com