Margarita tequila: which bottle to buy and why

For a margarita, buy a 100 percent agave blanco tequila. It is clean and bright, and it lets the lime come through. Reposado gives a rounder, slightly oaky drink, and you can browse both in our tequila section at CBC Liquors in Westford.

What is the best tequila for a margarita?

A blanco is the standard answer. It is unaged or rested only briefly, so you taste agave, citrus and a little pepper, and none of that gets lost behind lime juice and orange liqueur.

The label matters more than the brand name. Look for "100% agave" or "100% blue Weber agave". Tequila without that wording is a mixto, which can include other sugars and is usually harsher.

The blanco tequila shelf is the first place to look. We carry bottles such as ESPOLON Blanco Tequila, CASAMIGOS Blanco Tequila and LALO Blanco Tequila.

Blanco or reposado in a margarita?

Blanco gives a sharp, fresh, citrus-forward margarita. It is the better choice if you like the drink tart and crisp, or if you are serving it on the rocks with a salt rim.

Reposado is aged in oak for a few months up to a year. That adds vanilla, light caramel and a softer finish. It works well in a margarita when you want something a little warmer, particularly in cooler months.

If you want to try both, CASAMIGOS Reposado Tequila sits alongside the rest of our reposado range. Make one drink each way and see which you prefer.

Do you need to buy an expensive tequila for margaritas?

No. A good 100 percent agave blanco is enough, because lime, orange liqueur and sweetener cover the subtle details of a very old or very refined bottle.

Save añejo and extra añejo for sipping. Those are aged longer, taste of oak and spice, and are made to be enjoyed neat. The añejo and extra añejo shelves are there when you want one for that purpose.

The other end matters too. Gold bottles like Jose Cuervo Gold Especial and Jose Cuervo Silver Especial are mixing tequilas, made for large-batch drinks and party pitchers.

What else goes into a margarita?

The classic ratio is two parts tequila, one part orange liqueur and one part fresh lime juice. Shake with ice, strain over fresh ice, and salt the rim if you like.

Fresh lime juice makes the biggest difference. Bottled juice flattens the drink. For the orange component, check our liqueur section for triple sec or orange curaçao style bottles.

If you prefer a lighter or sweeter version, a splash of agave syrup works. For frozen or batch margaritas, our mixers section covers the supporting ingredients.

Are there other styles worth trying in a margarita?

Yes. Cristalino is aged tequila that has been filtered to remove colour, so it is clear but carries some of the softness of aged agave. It makes a smooth margarita.

Mezcal swapped in for part or all of the tequila gives a smoky margarita. Start with half and half if you have not tried it before.

There is also a flavored tequila shelf for people who want fruit or spice in the drink without extra steps.

Looking for a rare or hard-to-find tequila?

If you are hunting for a particular bottle, start with the full tequila listing, where you can see what is on the shelf. The shop carries 4,559 products from 1,880 brands, so the range is wide.

The allocated items page covers limited bottles. For something you cannot find, the kegs and special order request page is where to ask, and you can also call or stop in at 142 Littleton Rd.

The Got Tequila? collection is another way to browse by theme.

How do you get it from CBC Liquors?

Walk in at 142 Littleton Rd, Westford. We are open Sunday 10 AM to 8 PM, Monday to Thursday 10 AM to 9 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10 AM to 10 PM. Pickup runs the same hours.

We also offer delivery and shipping. Delivery hours are Sunday 10 AM to 7:30 PM, Monday to Thursday 10 AM to 8:30 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10 AM to 9:30 PM. We serve nearby towns including Chelmsford, Acton and Littleton.

Planning a party? The party planner is a good place to start. Please drink responsibly, and you must be 21 or older to buy.