Tequila lovers, rejoice: you can enjoy any of the best and delicious agave spirit without spending a fortune.

Gradually, tequila has become popular. In 2021, it even overtook whisky in retail sales in the US, giving it the second most popular spirit in the nation, only to vodka. The United States Distilled Spirits Council reports that revenue from tequila and mezcal reached $6 billion in 2022, a 17.2% rise from 2021. In addition to bringing in millions of cash and creating over 70,000 jobs in Jalisco, Mexico, the tequila business is a major draw for tourists there each year.

This guide explores the best “budget-friendly” tequilas. From blancos to reposados and añejos, we’ll find the perfect bottle for your taste and wallet.

What Are The Kinds Of Tequila?

Tequila’s world goes beyond just margaritas! The spirit boasts a variety depending on its aging process, each offering a distinct flavor profile, aroma, and visual appeal. The varieties of tequila include:

Blanco (Silver or White)

Un-aged and bottled right after distillation, Blanco tequila captures the essence of the blue agave plant. Expect flavors of vegetal agave, citrus, pepper, and sometimes grassy notes. True to its name, Blanco is colorless and has a light, almost watery texture which makes it a favorite amongst bartenders.

Reposado (Rested)

Reposado tequilas spend 2-12 months resting in oak barrels. This mellows the Blanco’s bite, introducing subtle notes of vanilla, caramel, and baking spices. Oak aging imparts a light golden or straw color to Reposado.

Añejo (Extra Aged)

Añejo tequilas spend a minimum of 1 year and up to 3 years slumbering in oak barrels. This extended aging results in a richer, more complex flavor profile with pronounced notes of vanilla, caramel, dried fruit, and even chocolate. Añejo tequilas take on a deeper amber or golden brown color, reflecting their time in the barrel.

It’s worth mentioning that the price of Blanco Tequila is typically cheaper than that of Reposado or Añejo because it is not aged. This makes Blanco a fantastic budget-friendly option for mixed drinks or shots.

Best Budget Tequila

Espolon Blanco is our best budget tequila because of its zesty, peppery kick and versatility in mixed drinks, all at an affordable price. At just over $20 for a 750ml bottle in most US markets, but who says affordability means sacrificing quality?

The 10 Best Cheap Tequila Under $50 

Dive into the world of delicious and affordable tequilas with our list of the 10 best cheap tequilas in no particular order.

Casamigos Blanco

After two months of resting, Casamigos Blanco Tequila is clear, crisp, and has a long, smooth finish along with notes of citrus, vanilla, and sweet agave. You can purchase it for an average price of $49.

Tequila Zarpado Blanco

This best affordable tequila is made in tiny quantities with fully developed blue agave from Jalisco’s Los Valles. The hand-selected agave is boiled, allowed to ferment in steel vats, and then distilled twice using Alembic stills. For an average price of $40, you can have true craft quality.

Herradura Reposado

The deep copper hue and incredibly smooth flavor of this Reposado Tequila, which includes flavors of wood, vanilla, cooked agave, walnut, and orange peel, come from its 11 months of aging in American white oak barrels. a smooth, sweet, and somewhat spicy finish. Its average price is $46.

Tres Agaves Anejo

For eighteen months, Tres Agaves Añejo gets aged in premium oak casks. Robust, rich flavor and deep natural color are imparted by the wood. The secret for making this Añejo is to embrace the oak influences without sacrificing any of the fundamental agave flavors. You can purchase it for under $30.

Cazadores Reposado

With a century of experience in tequila production, the Cazadores distillery was founded in 1922. This reposado has the ideal ratio of woody to sweet after residing a year in fresh American oak barrels and is sold at an average price of $28.

El Tequileño Reposado

Before being bottled, the Reposado Tequila produced by El Tequileño is allowed to rest for three months in American oak barrels. The aging gives the fresh spirit a hint of sweetness that works well in a variety of cocktails. The average price is $25.

Espolon Tequila Blanco

After being aged between two and four months in white oak barrels, the best cheap tequila has a hint of sweetness and hints of citrus. You can draw attention to those by adding a citrus peel.

This good-quality tequila is inspired by the artwork of José Guadalupe Posada, a Mexican artist. The label’s design pays homage to Mexican culture. You can purchase it for less than $30.

Cimarron Blanco

Highland agave, produced at 4,620 feet elevation, is used to make Cimarron Blanco Tequila. This cheap tequila has a dry flavor that allows for more control over the sweetness of cocktails. The sugars from the agave are slow-roasted to provide a clear, bold flavor, with an average brix of 24-26. Using special yeast, Cimarron is fermented in a completely natural way and sold for an average cost of $29.

Teremana tequila

The Rock’s Teremana is among the finest and most reasonably priced celebrity tequila brands available. The flavors of the orange and lime liqueur are well-balanced by the crisp and delicious blanco. The brand has sold one million tequila cases because of its immense popularity. You can find it on sale for less than $40.

Jose Cuervo Tradicional Silver

An all-Weber Blue Agave-based Tequila that is fresh and vibrant. Better than the regular Cuervo, this is a terrific mixer for margaritas and goes well with shots. Its average cost is $27.99.

Cheap Tequila By Category

To help you narrow your options and make a well-informed choice, we have another set of the best cheap tequilas grouped into various categories.

Your Best Cheap Blanco

LALO Blanco: This tequila is made with agave from the highlands of Jalisco, double-distilled with a special champagne yeast, and uses deep well water. In stone steam ovens, the agave undergoes cooking for 20 to 32 hours, and then it is allowed to rest for an extra 18 hours. A smooth and tasty tequila with black pepper, citrus, and herbal agave characteristics that is comparable in quality and flavor to Casamigos. Its average cost is $49.99.

Your Best Cheap Reposado

El Tesoro Reposado Tequila: This pale straw-colored Tequila with a hint of herbaceous flavor indicates jalapeño, bell pepper, and mint is aged for 11 months in old oak barrels. The freshness of mint and basil balances the palate’s enduring pepperiness. El Tesoro, a tequila created with centuries-old wisdom and the love of its creators, pays tribute to Don Felipe Camarena who founded La Alteña Distillery in 1937. It is sold for $29 to $99.

Your Best Cheap Anejo

Lunazul Añejo Tequila: After aging in former bourbon barrels for a duration ranging from one to eighteen months, Lunazul Añejo tequila has a well-rounded taste with vanilla sweetness and a nose reminiscent of bay leaf and Old Spice. This Añejo tequila is perfect for rye whisky lovers or those who want to use aged agave liquor instead of rye in a cocktail. $23 is the average cost.

Your Best Cheap Tequila For Sipping

Pueblo Viejo Blanco: Made entirely of agave, Pueblo Viejo Tequila Blanco is produced at San Matias, Jalisco, in one of Mexico’s ancient distilleries dating back more than 130 years. A bluish-tinged tequila that is clear and vibrant.\

This may not be the best cheap tequila under $1 but it is a delicious combination of sweet fruit and a hint of citrus, together with the caramel sweetness of processed agave. This un-aged Tequila has an average cost of $22 for a single bottle.

Your Best Cheap Tequila For Margaritas

Olmeca Altos Plata: Olmeca Altos Plata, owned by Pernod Ricard, is the quintessential Altos. Awarded for both its inherent smoothness when sipped and its title as the number one Margarita champion, it was chosen as the best Tequila for Margaritas in a 2023 Drinks International survey of the world’s best bartenders. Its average price is $28.

Your Best Cheap Tequila For Shots

Arette Blanco: In search of a tequila that will leave a lasting impression? Arette Blanco offers a unique profile perfect for both sipping and shots. On the nose, it greets you with refreshing aromas of green bell pepper and a touch of brined vegetables. The taste unfolds with hints of sweet agave syrup balanced by a lively kick of freshly cracked peppercorn. Its average price is $22.

Tips For Choosing The Best Cheap Cocktails

Start with your preferred flavor profile

Do you enjoy peppery notes or a smoother, more caramel-rich taste? This will help you choose between Blanco, Reposado, or Añejo.

Explore Reviews

Online resources and review sites can be your friend. Look for recommendations on least expensive tequilas that suit your taste preferences (peppery, citrusy, etc.) and don’t be afraid to try out new tequila brands.

Don’t Be Afraid To Ask

Liquor store staff can be a wealth of knowledge. Tell them your budget and what you’re looking for in a tequila, and they might surprise you with a hidden gem.

Enjoy Your Cocktail

Whether you crave the crisp bite of a Blanco for a refreshing cocktail or the smooth complexity of an Añejo for sipping neat, the world of tequila offers something for every taste and budget. So, explore different varieties, experiment with cocktails, and find your perfect agave adventure.