Sip with intention: 7 tequilas made with more in mind

Not every tequila is created equal. Some brands are protecting traditional agave farming and making bottles worth every pour. Others, not so much. It’s time to leave Casamigos behind. Here are 7 tequilas made with more in mind, so you can sip with intention. 

A Note From Our Editors: We selected these tequilas based on publicly available information about their sourcing, traditional methods, Mexican ownership and family heritage, production and sustainability practices. Because company practices and certifications can change, these descriptions reflect information available at the time of publication and are not intended to certify or guarantee a brand’s ethical, environmental or labor practices. When in doubt, check with the producer for the most current information.

Arette Reposado or Blanco

Cheaper than Casamigos at around $28 dollars, Arette brand tequila is fermented in a stainless steel tank straight from Jalisco, Mexico. It’s also named after the famed, Olympic gold-medal winning horse Arete. Our winner? The Arette Blanco.

AguaSol

Water, agave, and sunshine are the main ingredients in thai tequila. AguaSol uses Tequila Cascahuín (NOM 1123) in El Arenal, Jalisco as their producer which has been family-owned and operated since 1904. They use stone steam ovens, steel roller mills, open-air stainless-steel fermentation with naturally occurring yeast and a double distillation process. 

La Pulga

With a subtle nod to alebrijes on the bottle, this tequila is based in Fort Worth, Texas. La Pulga’s agave is grown without chemicals or pesticides, from its distillery in the Jalisco Highlands. What's even more unique is the production process: half the agave is cooked in a stone horno and half in a steam autoclave.

El Tequileño

Made in Tequila, a town in Jalisco, this brand has roots deep in Mexico. Don Jorge Salles Cuervo pioneered the use of steam pressure autoclaves in 1959. Harvested from the Blue Weber Agave in Los Altos, this agave is known for producing a naturally sweet, fruitier profile which is perfect for a margarita or sipping alone. 

Mijenta

This beautifully crafted tequila is overseen by a female master distiller, Ana Romero Mena and is created by Altos Planos Inc, an independent spirit company founded by former Bacardi CEO Mike Dolan, master mixologist Juan Coronado, and sustainable designer Elise Som. This B-Corp certified tequila is carbon-neutral, created without pesticides, and even its labels are from recycled agave waste.

Siete Leguas 

Named after Francisco “Pancho” Villa's legendary horse, this tequila is renowned for old-school production methods, including volcanic stone tahona wheels, and for originally producing the liquid for Patrón until 2002. Atotonilco El Alto is Jalisco’s orchard garden and the heart of Siete Leguas’ tequila production.

Dos Adelas

Inspired by “Las Adelitas” or soldaderas during the Mexican Revolution, this woman-owned business pours tequila that is additive-free and Mexican-owned.

iSalud!

Before your next margarita, ranch water, or neat pour, it's worth understanding where your spirits are coming from. The best drinks tell you where they've been long before the first sip. They carry the minerality of volcanic soil, the patience of slow-growing agave, and the fingerprints of the people who harvested, roasted, fermented, and distilled them. Once you know the difference, you'll never look at those bottles behind the bar the same way again.