Life is about balance – and no, not one Margarita in each hand. We mean the real kind: health and indulgence. Sure, you can’t celebrate every day with your favourite cocktail, but some days are just the perfect exception.
National Tequila Day, celebrated annually on 24th July, originated in the United States but has steadily made its way onto calendars (and menus) far beyond.
It’s not exactly a public holiday; more like a salute to Mexico’s iconic blue agave spirit and a celebration of its roots, from pre-Columbian pulque to distillation by Spanish settlers in the 16th century.
Plus, of course, a semi-official excuse to drink good tequila. And while Thursday may not be the ideal day to go all in (Friday is still a working day, may we remind you), the weekend’s right around the corner.
To save you from pacing the spirits aisle like a lost soul, and to help you channel your inner Margarita snob (you know you want to), we’ve rounded up a few of our favourite tequilas and tequila-based recipes.
What type of tequila should you go for?
It depends on how you’re drinking it. If you’re mixing cocktails like Margaritas or Palomas, go for a Blanco (also called Plata or Silver) — it’s unaged, clean, and lets citrus and salt shine.
If you’re after something smoother to sip neat or on the rocks, Reposado is a great middle ground – it’s rested in oak barrels for up to a year, giving it mellow notes of vanilla, spice, and wood.
For a richer, more complex experience, Añejo tequilas are aged longer (1–3 years) and often carry deep caramel, cocoa, or dried fruit flavours.
Extra Añejo, aged over three years, is best saved for slow sipping, like a fine whisky. Regardless of the type of tequila you choose, always look for 100% agave on the label. This means you’re getting the real deal, not a mixto diluted with other sugars.
Some of the coolest tequila brands to try on National Tequila Day
1. El Rayo Plata Tequila
Co-founded by Jack and Tom in 2019, El Rayo set out to reframe how we drink tequila: no salt, no slammers, just a long pour over tonic.
El Rayo Plata is tequila in its most honest form. It is distilled twice in copper stills, made from nothing but 100% blue agave and a dash of local spring water to bring it to proof.
Crisp, clean and citrusy, it delivers zesty top notes with a smooth finish that speaks to the quality of the raw ingredient. Best sipped long with tonic, or neat to appreciate its clarity. Available also in Reposado.
Size: 70cl
ABV%: 40.00%
Price: £34
2. Herradura Reposado Tequila
Aged for 11 months in oak barrels, Herradura Reposado pours a warm amber with copper undertones and delivers smooth, sweet notes of cooked agave, vanilla, and subtle spice.
Founded in 1870 in Amatitán, Jalisco – the heartland of tequila- Herradura is steeped in tradition and industry firsts, including the appointment of the world’s first female master distiller, María Teresa Lara López. Its signature horseshoe logo, a symbol of luck, pays homage to a real one found in the agave fields over a century ago. Available also in Plata and Añejo.
Size: 70cl
ABV%: 40.00%
Price: £43.69
3. El Mayor Añejo Tequila
El Mayor is a family-owned tequila brand crafted in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, by the González distillery. It is known for its slow-cooking methods, double distillation, and use of 100% blue agave. Master Distiller Rodolfo González, a fourth-generation tequilero, oversees every step of production to ensure consistency and quality across the portfolio.
Their Añejo expression is aged for a minimum of 18 months in small, charred white oak barrels, resulting in a smooth, full-bodied tequila with real depth. Expect warm notes of caramel, oak, and chocolate on the nose, followed by a rich, herbaceous palate with hints of toffee, smoke, and tropical fruit on the finish.
Size: 70cl
ABV%: 40.00%
Price: £51.37
4. 1800 Coconut Tequila
Part of the storied 1800 Tequila family, which dates back over 220 years, this expression combines traditional craftsmanship with a modern, flavour-forward twist. The signature trapezoidal bottle, inspired by Mayan pyramids, reflects the brand’s deep Mexican heritage and commitment to bold design.
Made from 100% blue Weber agave grown in Jalisco, Mexico, 1800 Coconut is a smooth, triple-distilled blanco tequila blended with real coconut for a naturally sweet, tropical edge. The result is bright and silky, with notes of fresh agave, creamy coconut, and a clean finish — perfect for sipping over ice or mixing into summer-ready cocktails.
Size: 70cl
ABV%: 35.00%
Price: £35.90
5. Tapatio Excelencia Gran Reserva Extra Añejo
Tapatio is a revered name in traditional tequila. It is crafted at La Alteña distillery in the Jalisco highlands by master distiller Carlos Camarena — one of the most respected figures in the agave world. Known for its commitment to heritage, Tapatio uses slow-cooked agave and natural fermentation techniques passed down through generations.
Their Excelencia Gran Reserva is an Extra Añejo aged for over four years in new French oak barrels, pushing tequila to the level of fine cognacs and aged single malts. It’s intensely aromatic, opening with creamy oak, roasted agave, and spice. The palate is rich, balanced, and velvety. It’s a sipping tequila in the truest sense: luxurious, intricate, and crafted for collectors or spirits connoisseurs.
Size: 1L
ABV%: 40.00%
Price: £200
Ready-to-drink tequila cocktails
Not all of us have the time (or the talent) to make cocktails at home. And while supermarket fridges are stacked with ready-to-drink options, they usually fall into two extremes: cloying fruit drinks with a hint of alcohol, or underpowered, uninspired takes on bar classics. But a few brands are proving there’s still room for well-made versions that lift the spirit(s) up.
El Rayo Tequila & Tonic
El Rayo’s T&T uses the brand’s Plata – a smooth, copper-distilled tequila made from 100% blue agave – mixed with a dry tonic and a touch of grapefruit. The result is crisp and slightly bitter, with just the right amount of citrus.
There’s no sugar overload or artificial flavourings masking the spirit, and it drinks more like a dry spritz than a pre-mixed cocktail. For those who already like El Rayo’s long-serve ethos, this is a well-executed extension of it.
The can’s bold and colourful design, created by Mexican artist Mario Ballesteros, also does a good job of making it feel distinct from the endless rows of canned G&Ts.
Size: 250ml
ABV%: £3.50 per can
Price: £3.50 per can / £39 for 12-pack
Available to buy here or on Zapp.
MOTH – Margarita / Spicy Margarita / Paloma
MOTH’s tequila range is a completely different proposition. At 14.9% ABV, these are short, bar-strength cocktails in small cans – designed to feel like the drink you’d order in a bar. Each one is made with high-quality tequila and real juice, and you can tell.
- Margarita: Everything you’d expect from a classic Margarita’s flavour profile, with bright lime in an agave base. There’s a touch of sweetness, but it’s not syrupy, and the overall balance is sharp and clean. No salt rim obviously, but otherwise it’s close to the original.
- Spicy Margarita: The heat is immediate but not overpowering. Importantly, it tastes natural and it builds slowly. Still has the acidity of the base Margarita, just with more structure.
- Paloma: The most laid-back of the three. Pink grapefruit gives it a dry, bitter edge, and the finish is cleaner than most Paloma RTDs. Slightly sweeter than the others but that’s just the nature of this cocktail.
Size: 125ml (or 200ml for the Paloma)
ABV%: 14.9% for the Margaritas, 10.00% for the Paloma.
Price: £4.10 in Waitrose for a single can, with packs of 8 (£26), 12 (£39) and 24 (£74) available on the official website.
Available to purchase here and in the following supermarkets: Waitrose; Sainsbury’s; Tesco; Whole Foods; ASDA; Co-Op; Morrisons; Ocado.
Making the perfect margarita
Margaritas are as versatile as cocktails can be, so they are a good cocktail with which to impress your partner or friends. All you need is:
- 4 tbsp fresh-squeezed lime juice
- 40ml of tequila (Plata is ideal)
- 15ml of orange liqueur
- A lime slice and/or strawberry for garnish
- Lots of ice.
Then, you can add your own twist with your favourite jams or fruit pulps. For example, if you’re a fan of strawberry flavours, you can use just one tablespoon of St. Dalfour Strawberry spread to make your own St. Dalfour Strawberry Margarita. Just mix your jam or pulp with all the other ingredients. It’s as simple as:
- Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice
- Shake well and strain over fresh ice into a glass
- Garnish with lime and a strawberry (or other fruit)
