We’re nonetheless within the midst of a tequila growth. Whereas the info says this development isn’t as fast because it’s been previously, curiosity within the Mexican agave spirit remains to be greater than sturdy sufficient to maintain its gross sales shifting in a optimistic course. And tequila is definitely a spirit that rewards the curious drinker. An enormous a part of the class’s development is arguably tied to the seemingly countless parade of latest tequilas hitting again bars or retail cabinets each month, and every bottle may doubtlessly be a brand new favourite.
Since bartenders routinely get uncovered to new manufacturers, they are usually sources for navigating that panorama. As such, we requested 12 bartenders to call the most effective new tequila that’s earned a spot on their bars. Their decisions symbolize tequilas which have both been in the marketplace or obtainable of their states for not more than two years. No matter how lengthy they’ve been round, they’re price trying out.
The very best new tequilas, in accordance with bartenders
- Lalo Tequila Blanco
- Alma del Jaguar Tequila Blanco
- Ola Sol Agave Wine
- Cambio Tequila Blanco
- Cambio Tequila Reposado
- Mosto Tequila Blanco
- Wild Frequent Tequila Blanco
- Cazcanes Blanco
- El Mexicano Blanco
- El Mexicano Reposado
- El Mexicano Blanco 90
- Misplaced Explorer Blanco
- Tierra Y Libertad Blanco
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“We’re utilizing Lalo Tequila Blanco for our tequila cocktails and on the again bar. It has a clear, contemporary style with no burn, so can also be simply loved on the rocks or with soda. It’s made with solely three pure substances — agave, water, and yeast — which is essential to us in order that we will inform prospects precisely what’s of their beverage. As one of many solely Mexican-owned tequila manufacturers, we really feel it’s genuine and trustworthy in addition to scrumptious.” —Emily Mendyka, proprietor, Vino Venue, Dunwoody, Ga.
“Alma del Jaguar Tequila Blanco. We serve fairly just a few Margaritas and decide to characteristic smaller and extra distinctive manufacturers, and Alma del Jaguar has confirmed their price. There’s a lot to love right here: Their use of conventional strategies, they’re truly 100% agave, their help of North American jaguar conservation efforts — and it’s rattling scrumptious. They deserve a spot in your again bar palms down! Rumor has it we might begin barrel-aging some Alma cocktails by the autumn.” —Maximilian Zepra, beverage supervisor, The Chloe, New Orleans
“Ola Sol is an agave wine with tequila tasting notes, however we adore it for its clean style and decrease ABV. It’s about half the proof of typical tequilas, so it doesn’t have the cruel kickback or as massive of a hangover risk. It mixes superbly in cocktails and offers our prospects an possibility that feels the closest to liquor, though we’re solely licensed to serve beer and wine. It really works rather well in our frozen Daiquiri, which we use together with lime, sugar, and bitter aperitivo.” —Lauren Lemos, co-owner/beverage director, Lingua Franca, Los Angeles
“I really like Cambio Tequila. Their blanco expression is extremely approachable and ideal for cocktails, whereas the reposado stands sturdy alongside a few of the finest in the marketplace.” —Nick Smedley, bar lead, Anyone Folks, Denver
“One in every of my favourite newer tequila manufacturers has received to be Lalo. It’s vivid and citrusy, with no synthetic components, and it’s made with solely three substances: agave, Champagne yeast, and effectively water. It’s pure and scrumptious sufficient to drink by itself, but in addition lends itself effectively to quite a lot of cocktails, together with an outstanding Margarita.” —Lexi Parker, beverage supervisor, Poka Loka Social Membership, Denver
“Mosto Tequila Blanco. It’s a crisp and vivid blanco that opens with contemporary inexperienced apple and vegetal notes, balanced by a touch of cinnamon heat. The nostril is refined orange blossom and floral honey, main right into a clear agave end. An amazing sipper for purists and ideal in cocktails. As a local Texan who has moved to Virginia, I used to be stunned to discover a native tequila model that had connections to the Camarena household. I additionally knew I used to be in for a deal with.” —Michael Rojas, bar supervisor, Matt & Tony’s, Alexandria, Va.
“Wild Frequent Blanco. A buddy of mine is an agave spirit skilled, and he described it as essentially the most flavorful tequila you’ll be able to truly reorder [for your bar]. I knew I needed to strive it, and I used to be hooked instantly. It’s a incredible tequila however I additionally love that it’s obtainable to bartenders and visitors alike. It’s straightforward to suggest as a result of it’s particular sufficient for an event however inexpensive and obtainable sufficient to take pleasure in on the common.” —Tanner Agar, proprietor/creator, Apothecary/Rye, Dallas
“I like to recommend Alma del Jaguar tequilas, which have been in the marketplace since 2023. I really like that their tequilas have daring, spicy, flavors and are deeply agave-forward.” —Heather Murphy, bartender, Apple Blossom, Denver
“Final 12 months I used to be launched to Cazcanes Blanco, which is wonderful. I get all of the nuance and high quality in a product I can truly get and carry on my again bar. The worth level is a bit increased, however I feel which may truly preserve it accessible. It’s not so costly that it will probably’t be an on a regular basis drinker, however the value is excessive sufficient to make it the highest shelf in most house bars. It’s positively hitting the mark I’ve been on the lookout for in a tequila.” —Jonah Gibbs, bar supervisor, Bar Boheme/Petit Boheme, Las Vegas
“El Mexicano makes my job as an expert drink maker straightforward as a result of it’s actually good things. It comes from a household that has been making tequila for generations, and that’s saying one thing. The juice itself is an authorized additive-free tequila. El Mexicano Blanco is available in at 40 p.c ABV and options agave and citrus aromas and a contact of mint. El Mexicano Reposado is aged 90 days in French and Americano oak and presents cooked agave, vanilla, maple and apricot on the nostril and a buttery end. El Mexicano blanco 90 — my private favourite — is a higher-proof tequila [at 90 proof] but it surely doesn’t style like one. It’ll rise up in multi-layered cocktails, which is actually outstanding for a high-proof tequila.” —Marcio Ramos, associate, The Honey Properly, NYC
“One in every of my favourite new additions behind our bar is the blanco tequila launch from Misplaced Explorer, a model finest identified for his or her mezcal. Their entry into the tequila world final 12 months impressed me — it’s a spirit that I like to sip neat, but it surely additionally provides actual character to cocktails. With its mild funkiness and heat notes of cinnamon and spice, it brings an surprising twist to classics. I’ve even been utilizing it as a playful substitute for white rum in Mojitos, the place it provides a daring, earthy depth that’s each stunning and scrumptious.” —Manny Lopez, bar lead, The Picket Pearl, Anaheim, Calif.
“Sitting at a snug 45 p.c ABV, Tierra Y Libertad is a scrumptious high-proof tequila from the lowlands of Jalisco. With notes of cooked agave, earthiness and the slightest contact of citrus, Tierra Y Libertad has change into my favourite discovery. The worth level per unit was additionally one thing that stunned me. Affordability and reliability are one thing one at all times considers when selecting a spirit for the again bar and menu placement, and I’m very happy to have discovered this tequila because it’s an ideal addition to the bar program. It enhances our cocktails and in addition makes for an excellent neat pour.” —Kevin Castillo, bar lead, Semiprecious, Denver
