You can’t have a proper Cinco de Mayo celebration without a shot of authentic Mexican tequila. Don't shop just any brand either.
Here are 10 Mexican tequila and mezcal brands your taste buds will thank you for. Made with the celebrated Mexican agave plant and lots of love and tradition, these brands command a second look.
1. La Gritona Tequila
The all woman team behind La Gritona Tequila has created a tequila brand beloved by locals and Americans alike. Behind each bottle is a drink crafted with the best agave the Jalisco region has to offer.
Owner Melly Barajas Cárdenas is from Guadalajara, Mexico and worked as a clothing designer prior to her tequila endeavors. Her first introduction to tequila was by her father who told her he always dreamed of having a tequila made in his name. From that moment, she decided to make her father’s dream come true and eventually her tequila brand turned into much more.
2. Doña Vega Mezcal
Another brand inspired and developed in small town Mexico near the region of Oaxaca is Doña Vega Mezcal. Creator Sonya Vega has established a beverage steeped in family history and Mexican tradition.
Owner Sonya Auvray Vega is Mexican-American. She was born in the States, but both her mom and dad are Mexican. Prior to starting her own mezcal brand she had been working in public relations for 18 years and has great knowledge about what it takes to launch a brand. After having tried mezcal for the first time, she became hooked and took a year to learn more about the spirit and how it's made, ultimately allowing her to grow closer to her roots.
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3. Tequila Corralejo
Tequila Corralejo originates from Hacienda Corralejo and uses 100% agave in its production. The brand features an array of beverages to suit your celebratory needs.
Owner Leonardo Rodriguez Moreno took over ownership of Hacienda Corralejo in 1994 and vowed to continue producing premium tequila for the brand. Hacienda Corralejo was established in 1770 in Guanajuato, Mexico and also introduced pure blue agave tequila to the market. This tequila continues to be a Mexican family owned brand.
4. Clase Azul
This carefully crafted mezcal is just as delightful as the artisanal bottles they come in. The brand uses Cenizo agave, a rare variation of the agave plant which grows in Northern Mexico’s Durango to create this celebrated drink. With a range of tequilas to choose from, Clase Azul offers a flavor for everyone.
Owner Artuno Lomeli was born in Guadalajara, Mexico and is now living in Los Angeles. He first created his tequila brand 20 years ago with a mission to save Mexican artisan culture by incorporating their designs into his bottles.
5. Casa Mexico Tequila
Rich in history and in flavor, Casa Mexico takes the tradition of authentic Mexican distillery to create an amazing, crisp flavor. With a lineup of three refreshing flavors, this tequila brand made with 100% agave is certainly one you’ll enjoy.
Mexican-American owner Eric “Don” Buccio created this tequila brand to embody his heritage and family traditions while also having a drink that will get people smiling. He has partnered with Mexican-American actor Mario Lopez and Mexican-American boxer Oscar De La Hoya to further help his mission of celebrating their culture through tequila.
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6. Casa Dragones
Each bottle of Casa Dragones Tequila is hand signed and numbered, so you know you are getting an authentic taste of Mexico. With a modern process that uses Mexican craftsmanship, Tequila Casa Dragones the flavor is rich and unmatched.
Known as the ‘First Lady of Tequila’ Bertha González Nieves was born in Mexico City where her family lived for 5 generations. She previously worked at Jose Cuervo International as an executive however decided she wanted to move in a different direction and create a brand that is focused on attention, detail, and hand craftsmanship.
7. Familia Camarena Tequila
Tequila production is in the Camarena Family’s genetics. Since the creation of their first distillery in the early 1900’s the company has been family runned. Passed down through generations, their current tequila brand continues to be family owned with Carlos J. Camarena Curiel as its current master distiller. Every Camarena product tells their 250 year story which began in Arandas, Jalisco, Mexico.
8. Tequila Pueblo Viejo
This brand has a long standing history since its development in 1886. Today, Pueblo Viejo has grown into a contemporary brand beloved all over the globe. Its vibrant purple bottles are just as exquisite as the flavor inside.
Don Delfino González was over 50 years old when he created Pueblo Viejo Tequila. This sugarcane agave tequila is made in Distilleria San Matias which is famous for making some of the oldest tequila brands in Mexico. Pueblo Viejo has held a leading position in the tequila industry for more than 130 years, and their original tequila was made in 1886.
9. Lalo Spirits
For co-owner Eduardo “Lalo” González, tequila is a family affair. Born in Guadalajara, Mexico and being the grandson of premium tequila maker Don Julio González, his knowledge of tequila production and trends has allowed him to create a new brand which helps carry on his family’s legacy. Working with his friend and co-owner David Carballido, Lalo Spirits is focused on perfecting blanco tequila with only three ingredients- 100% blue agave, yeast, and water.
10. Tequila La Malinche
Tequila La Malinche has over 70 years of tradition behind its craftsmanship and distillery process. The brand produces the tequila with the agave plants of Tequila in the Jalisco region and sticks true to tradition and culture of authentic Mexican tequila.
Crafted in Don César García’s legendary distillery house Tequilas del Señor, La Malinche was named after an indigenous woman who worked as a translator for the conquistadores. This tequila brand diligently observes each step of their production process to ensure the best quality drink for its consumers. García first moved to Mexico at the age of 16 and lived there through his adult years as he created his well-known distilleries.
Mexican-American writer Eliana Flores-Barber contributed to this report.
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About the Author
Nadia El-Yaouti
Nadia El-Yaouti is a writer and photographer based out of Central Virginia. As a travel writer, she enjoys connecting readers with stories and sharing photographs that depict the beauty of different cultures. Some of her most prized work introduces readers to underrated destinations like Mexico, Kurdistan, and North Africa. When she’s not juggling work, she can be found traveling the globe with her wonderful husband and three darling children.
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