While it’s not difficult to whip up a Margarita at home, we know lots of you will be reaching for margarita mix instead. There are actually a lot of options at your supermarket if you’re going the easy route, though some are definitely better than others. Here is VinePair’s official ranking of margarita mixes:
6. Jose Cuervo
This was the worst of the bunch and the only mix of all the ones we tested that did not even include a minuscule ounce of real juice. This mix is all chemicals and sugar and it shows. It coats your teeth and tastes like a sweeter version of Lemon/Lime Gatorade.
5. Powell Skinny Marg
If you’re on a diet and still want a margarita, make one with fresh lime juice and agave instead of choking down this mix. They used so many spices and flavors to help cover the low-fat taste that it doesn’t even taste like a marg.
4. Master of Mixer
This was the best of the big brands. It’s got more lime flavor than Jose, thanks to 10 percent real lime juice, but it’s still super-sweet. It might as well be called hangover city.
3. Powell Regular
This one was all right, but also the sweetest of the bunch. Fifty percent of it is real juice, but it’s also got a whopping 32 grams of sugar.
2. Tres Agaves
This one didn’t have a traditional margarita flavor, but if you don’t mind that, this is your go- to. It’s not sweet, and it actually tastes like limes and lemons. But there is another weird flavor in there, probably from the agave nectar, that is not for everybody.
1. Trader Joe’s
This one was the best of the lot, with pure flavors of freshly juiced limes and a bit of sugar. This is exactly what a margarita should taste like and the perfect stand-in if you don’t have the time or you don’t want to make your own mix fresh.
