Table Of Contents

Tequila 101

Last Updated: November 7, 2024

Tequila means different things to different people. Whether you prefer your tequila neat, shot with a lime, in a Margarita, or enjoyed on the beach, it’s a spirit that’s easily enjoyed in many situations.

Tequila is made from blue agave (not cactus), and by law must be made in Mexico. All of the brands you know like Jose Cuervo, Patron, Don Julio, and others make the five types of tequila — silver, gold, reposado, añejo, and extra añejo — following these rules. Learn more about tequila using the official VinePair tequila guide, and check out our recipes for the best classic and original tequila cocktails.

Read Our Full Tequila 101 Guide

Popular Tequila Brands

10 Things You Should Know About Sauza Tequila
10 Things You Should Know About Sauza Tequila
14 Things You Should Know About Herradura
14 Things You Should Know About Herradura
8 Things You Should Know About Casamigos
8 Things You Should Know About Casamigos
8 Things You Should Know About Espolòn Tequila
8 Things You Should Know About Espolòn Tequila
9 Things You Should Know About Milagro Tequila
9 Things You Should Know About Milagro Tequila
9 Things You Should Know About Don Julio Tequila
9 Things You Should Know About Don Julio Tequila
11 Things You Should Know About Patrón Tequila
11 Things You Should Know About Patrón Tequila
13 Things You Didn’t Know About Jose Cuervo
13 Things You Didn’t Know About Jose Cuervo

Recent Tequila Reviews

Cincoro Reposado
Cincoro Reposado
Cincoro Añejo
Cincoro Añejo
Don Julio 70 Añejo
Don Julio 70 Añejo
Don Julio Real
Don Julio Real
Pasote Añejo
Pasote Añejo
Patrón Estate Release Blanco
Patrón Estate Release Blanco
Patrón Reposado
Patrón Reposado
Fortaleza Blanco
Fortaleza Blanco
Código 1530 Reposado
Código 1530 Reposado

See All Tequila Reviews

The Best Bottles Of Tequila To Buy

The 30 Best Tequilas for Every Budget (2020)
The 30 Best Tequilas for Every Budget (2020)
The Best Cheap Tequilas Under $25 Right Now
The Best Cheap Tequilas Under $25 Right Now
10 of the Best Celebrity Spirits, Tasted and Ranked
10 of the Best Celebrity Spirits, Tasted and Ranked
5 of the Best Coffee-Infused Spirits and How to Use Them
5 of the Best Coffee-Infused Spirits and How to Use Them
The 30 Best Tequilas for Every Budget
The 30 Best Tequilas for Every Budget
Summer Crush: The Seven Best Tequilas for Palomas, Ranked
Summer Crush: The Seven Best Tequilas for Palomas, Ranked
The 7 Best Liquors to Drink On the Rocks
The 7 Best Liquors to Drink On the Rocks
7 Tequilas Under $100 Worth Sippin’
7 Tequilas Under $100 Worth Sippin’
8 Great Añejo Tequilas That You’ll Want To Sip and Savor
8 Great Añejo Tequilas That You’ll Want To Sip and Savor
The 7 Tequilas For Making The Perfect Margarita
The 7 Tequilas For Making The Perfect Margarita
11 Exceptional Tequilas Under $50
11 Exceptional Tequilas Under $50

Tequila Infographics & Maps

The States That Love Tequila the Most [Map]
The States That Love Tequila the Most [Map]
Let’s Duet: 20 of the Best Two-Ingredient Cocktails
Let’s Duet: 20 of the Best Two-Ingredient Cocktails
All the Types of Tequila, Explained (Infographic)
All the Types of Tequila, Explained (Infographic)
Understanding the Differences Between Tequila and Mezcal (Infographic)
Understanding the Differences Between Tequila and Mezcal (Infographic)
MAP: The States That Drink The Most Tequila
MAP: The States That Drink The Most Tequila

Classic Tequila Cocktails

Paloma
Paloma
Tequila Sunrise
Tequila Sunrise
Margarita
Margarita

Modern Tequila Cocktails

The Hibiscus Fizz Recipe
The Hibiscus Fizz Recipe
The Spicy Blood Orange Margarita Recipe
The Spicy Blood Orange Margarita Recipe
The Summer Sunset Recipe
The Summer Sunset Recipe
The Mexican Summer Negroni Recipe
The Mexican Summer Negroni Recipe
The Blue Agave Sour Recipe
The Blue Agave Sour Recipe
The Prickly Pear Spritz Recipe
The Prickly Pear Spritz Recipe
The Coconut Margarita Recipe
The Coconut Margarita Recipe
The Spicy Spritz Recipe
The Spicy Spritz Recipe
The Tequila And Chill Recipe
The Tequila And Chill Recipe
The Winter Margarita Recipe
The Winter Margarita Recipe
The Sweater Weather Recipe
The Sweater Weather Recipe
The Smokin’ Hot Tequila Recipe
The Smokin’ Hot Tequila Recipe

Recent Articles About Tequila

Exploring Herradura Reposado’s Rich Legacy and Versatility: How Top Bartenders Embrace This Cool Weather Favorite
Exploring Herradura Reposado’s Rich Legacy and Versatility: How Top Bartenders Embrace This Cool Weather Favorite
Sip Through the Holiday Season with Mayenda
Sip Through the Holiday Season with Mayenda
Explore the Roots of Reposado with Herradura® [Infographic]
Explore the Roots of Reposado with Herradura® [Infographic]
The Pioneering Process of Mayenda Tequila Reposado Double Cask [Infographic]
The Pioneering Process of Mayenda Tequila Reposado Double Cask [Infographic]
Why Bartender Janice Bailon’s Paloma is ‘Thinking Pink!’
Why Bartender Janice Bailon’s Paloma is ‘Thinking Pink!’
Generations in the Making: The Liquid Legacy of Don Fulano Tequila
Generations in the Making: The Liquid Legacy of Don Fulano Tequila
5 Cinco de Mayo Camarena Tequila Margaritas You’ll Make All Year
5 Cinco de Mayo Camarena Tequila Margaritas You’ll Make All Year
3 Camarena Margaritas Made for Mexican-Inspired Meals
3 Camarena Margaritas Made for Mexican-Inspired Meals
Shake It Up: Camarena Margarita Party Made Easy
Shake It Up: Camarena Margarita Party Made Easy
Tequila Don Julio Alma Miel Makes the Case for Oven-Roasted Agave Honey
Tequila Don Julio Alma Miel Makes the Case for Oven-Roasted Agave Honey
Mana for a Cause: Teremana Tequila is Giving Back During the Holidays With Ezana ‘EZ’ Million
Mana for a Cause: Teremana Tequila is Giving Back During the Holidays With Ezana ‘EZ’ Million
Everything You Need to Know About Tres Generaciones’ Limited Edition Añejo Tequila
Everything You Need to Know About Tres Generaciones’ Limited Edition Añejo Tequila
Taking Tequila to New Heights, The Teremana Way
Taking Tequila to New Heights, The Teremana Way
More Than Tequila: How Teremana Gives Back
More Than Tequila: How Teremana Gives Back
Meet ‘GENERACIONES,’ A Zine For Those Who Dare To Dream Differently
Meet ‘GENERACIONES,’ A Zine For Those Who Dare To Dream Differently
A Hot Night and Hotter Party to Celebrate Tres Generaciones Tequila’s New Zine
A Hot Night and Hotter Party to Celebrate Tres Generaciones Tequila’s New Zine
How VinePair’s 2023 Bartender of the Year Makes a Mad Scientist-Worthy Paloma
How VinePair’s 2023 Bartender of the Year Makes a Mad Scientist-Worthy Paloma
PATRÓN® Ahumado Blazes a Bold New Trail for Smoky Tequila
PATRÓN® Ahumado Blazes a Bold New Trail for Smoky Tequila
Bowl of ‘Zole Pozole Festival Brings Authentic Mexican Culture to the U.S.
Bowl of ‘Zole Pozole Festival Brings Authentic Mexican Culture to the U.S.
The Story Behind PATRÓN® Tequila’s Iconic Bottle
The Story Behind PATRÓN® Tequila’s Iconic Bottle
Taste Over 260 Years of History With Camarena Tequila
Taste Over 260 Years of History With Camarena Tequila
Introducing PATRÓN® El Alto: Prestige-Level Tequila Taking the Agave Spirit to New Heights
Introducing PATRÓN® El Alto: Prestige-Level Tequila Taking the Agave Spirit to New Heights
Please a Crowd This Season With These Batched PATRÓN® Cocktails
Please a Crowd This Season With These Batched PATRÓN® Cocktails
PATRÓN®: We Asked Bartender Caer Maiko Ferguson — What’s Your Mixology Style?
PATRÓN®: We Asked Bartender Caer Maiko Ferguson — What’s Your Mixology Style?
PATRÓN®: We Asked Bartender Robert ‘Bjorn’ Taylor — What’s Your Mixology Style?
PATRÓN®: We Asked Bartender Robert ‘Bjorn’ Taylor — What’s Your Mixology Style?
Bowl of ‘Zole Celebrates Mexican Chefs, Pozole, and Agave Spirits
Bowl of ‘Zole Celebrates Mexican Chefs, Pozole, and Agave Spirits
Taste the Tradition: How Tequila Ocho Utilizes Centuries-Old Techniques
Taste the Tradition: How Tequila Ocho Utilizes Centuries-Old Techniques
PATRÓN Silver + Soda: Simple, Elegant, and Iconic
PATRÓN Silver + Soda: Simple, Elegant, and Iconic
Exploring Tequila Ocho’s Pillars of Sustainability
Exploring Tequila Ocho’s Pillars of Sustainability
The Single Estate Difference: How Tequila Ocho Has Perfected Terroir in Tequila
The Single Estate Difference: How Tequila Ocho Has Perfected Terroir in Tequila
Tequila Ocho and The Significance of the Number 8
Tequila Ocho and The Significance of the Number 8
The Rock Sends 101-Year-Old Fan Free Birthday Tequila and Drinking Tips
The Rock Sends 101-Year-Old Fan Free Birthday Tequila and Drinking Tips
6 Hats For People Who Would Rather Be At Happy Hour
6 Hats For People Who Would Rather Be At Happy Hour
Next Round: Eduardo ‘Lalo’ González, Don Julio’s Grandson, Is Taking Blanco Tequila — and His New Brand LALO — Seriously
Next Round: Eduardo ‘Lalo’ González, Don Julio’s Grandson, Is Taking Blanco Tequila — and His New Brand LALO — Seriously
A Disruptive Transparency Initiative Is Shining Light on Tequila Additives
A Disruptive Transparency Initiative Is Shining Light on Tequila Additives
The Best Spirit Decanters Right Now (2020)
The Best Spirit Decanters Right Now (2020)
Jose Cuervo’s New ‘Playamar’ Is a Sparkling Tequila-Based Hard Seltzer
Jose Cuervo’s New ‘Playamar’ Is a Sparkling Tequila-Based Hard Seltzer
Next Round: Tequila Herradura’s Jennifer Simmonds on Ultra-Premium Tequila’s Massive Growth
Next Round: Tequila Herradura’s Jennifer Simmonds on Ultra-Premium Tequila’s Massive Growth
These Shot Glasses Will Salt Your Tequila Shot
These Shot Glasses Will Salt Your Tequila Shot
Every Celebrity Wants to Make a Tequila — Here’s Why
Every Celebrity Wants to Make a Tequila — Here’s Why
Los Angeles Lakers CEO Jeanie Buss Wants You to Savor the Taste of Añejo Tequila — ‘It’s So Good’
Los Angeles Lakers CEO Jeanie Buss Wants You to Savor the Taste of Añejo Tequila — ‘It’s So Good’
Covid-19 Conversations: Patrón Tequila’s Global VP of Marketing Adrian Parker on Celebrating Cinco de Mayo in Quarantine
Covid-19 Conversations: Patrón Tequila’s Global VP of Marketing Adrian Parker on Celebrating Cinco de Mayo in Quarantine
Drinks Essentials For People Who Love Tequila
Drinks Essentials For People Who Love Tequila
Rosé Tequila Is Boozy, Pink, and Better Than You Think
Rosé Tequila Is Boozy, Pink, and Better Than You Think
Our 10 Most Popular Margarita Recipes
Our 10 Most Popular Margarita Recipes