Quick answer: Tequila is a spirit distilled from blue Weber agave in a protected region of Mexico, sold as blanco, reposado, añejo and extra añejo depending on time in oak. Below are straight answers to the questions people ask most, from how it is made to how to buy and drink it.
Tequila is big business: Mexico produced 583 million liters in 2025 and exported 406 million, about 82% of it to the United States, according to the Consejo Regulador del Tequila. Yet most drinkers still can't say what separates a great bottle from a forgettable one. That is what this guide is for. More figures in Tequila by the numbers 2026.
"The old ways make the smoothest tequila. No shortcuts, no diffusers, no compromise. Just agave and time."
The González family, makers of Don Londrés
Tequila categories at a glance
| Category | Aging | Typical flavor | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blanco (silver, plata) | Unaged, or under 2 months | Bright agave, citrus, pepper, herbs | Margaritas, Palomas, sipping for purists |
| Reposado | 2 to 12 months in oak | Agave with vanilla, light caramel | Sipping, richer margaritas |
| Añejo | 1 to 3 years in oak (600L max) | Caramel, oak, dried fruit, spice | Sipping neat, whiskey drinkers |
| Extra añejo | 3+ years in oak | Deep oak, toffee, chocolate | Special-occasion sipping |
| Cristalino | Aged, then filtered clear | Soft, light vanilla | Easy sipping (not an official category) |
Tequila basics
What is tequila?
Tequila is a distilled spirit made from the blue Weber agave plant (Agave tequilana Weber var. azul) in a legally defined region of Mexico. By law it must be distilled at least twice and bottled between 35% and 55% alcohol by volume. Most tequila sold in the U.S. is 40% ABV, or 80 proof.
Where can tequila be made?
Only in Mexico's Denomination of Origin: the entire state of Jalisco plus designated municipalities in Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit and Tamaulipas. A spirit made from agave anywhere else cannot legally be called tequila.
What is the difference between tequila and mezcal?
Tequila must be made from one plant, blue Weber agave, in its designated region, and the agave is usually steamed in ovens. Mezcal can be made from dozens of agave species, mostly in Oaxaca and other states, and the agave is traditionally roasted in earthen pits, which gives many mezcals a smoky taste. Technically, tequila is a type of mezcal. Tequila vs. mezcal, explained.
What does 100% agave mean?
A bottle labeled 100% agave (or 100% de agave) gets all of its fermentable sugar from blue Weber agave. Tequila without that label is a mixto, which only needs 51% agave sugar; the rest can come from other sugars such as cane. For sipping, look for 100% agave on the label. What's actually in a 100% agave bottle.
What is the NOM number on a tequila bottle?
The NOM (Norma Oficial Mexicana) number identifies the distillery that made the tequila. Many brands share a distillery, so the NOM tells you who actually produced the liquid. Don Londrés, for example, is made at NOM 1518 in Atotonilco El Alto, Jalisco. How to read a tequila label.
Who regulates tequila?
The Consejo Regulador del Tequila (CRT), Mexico's Tequila Regulatory Council, certifies producers, audits distilleries and enforces the official tequila standard, NOM-006-SCFI-2012. Every legitimate bottle carries a NOM number and, for 100% agave tequila, must be bottled in Mexico.
Types of tequila
What is the difference between blanco, reposado, añejo and extra añejo?
The difference is time in oak. Blanco is unaged or rested under two months. Reposado rests at least two months in oak. Añejo ages at least one year in oak barrels of 600 liters or less. Extra añejo ages at least three years. Longer aging adds vanilla, caramel and spice and softens the agave. Blanco vs. reposado vs. añejo.
What is joven or gold tequila?
Joven, sometimes sold as gold, is blanco tequila blended with aged tequila, or a mixto colored with caramel. Many inexpensive gold tequilas get their color from additives rather than barrels.
What is cristalino tequila?
Cristalino is aged tequila, usually añejo, that has been filtered, often through activated charcoal, to remove its color while keeping some of the barrel flavor. It is not an official category under Mexico's tequila standard; it is labeled by its age class. What is cristalino tequila?
Which type of tequila is best for sipping?
Reposado is the easiest place to start: the oak rounds the edges while the agave still leads. Añejo suits whiskey drinkers. A well made blanco is the purest way to taste agave and is a favorite of tequila enthusiasts who sip it neat. What is reposado tequila?
Which tequila is best for margaritas?
A 100% agave blanco is the classic choice because its bright, peppery agave stands up to lime. A reposado makes a rounder, slightly sweeter margarita. Skip mixtos: the lime exposes harshness fast. Best tequila for margaritas.
How tequila is made
How is tequila made?
Mature agave is harvested by jimadores, who cut the leaves away to reveal the heart, or piña. The piñas are cooked to turn starches into sugar, crushed to extract juice, fermented with yeast, then distilled at least twice. Blanco is bottled shortly after; aged styles rest in oak first. How is tequila made? From field to glass.
How long does agave take to grow?
Blue Weber agave usually takes about six to eight years to mature, and some producers wait longer for more sugar and flavor. Don Londrés uses agave matured seven to ten years.
What is the difference between brick ovens, autoclaves and diffusers?
Traditional hornos are masonry or brick ovens that steam agave slowly, often 24 to 72 hours, building caramelized, cooked agave flavor. Autoclaves are industrial pressure cookers that do it in hours. Diffusers extract sugar from raw shredded agave with hot water before cooking; they are fast and efficient, but many tasters find the result more neutral. Horno vs. autoclave.
What is a tahona?
A tahona is a large volcanic stone wheel, traditionally pulled by animals and now often by tractor, that crushes cooked agave. It is slow and rare today; most distilleries use roller mills.
What is the difference between Highlands and Lowlands tequila?
Highlands (Los Altos) tequila comes from the red, iron-rich soil around towns like Arandas and Atotonilco El Alto and tends to taste sweeter, fruitier and more floral. Lowlands (Valle) tequila, from around the town of Tequila, tends to be earthier, more herbal and peppery. Highlands vs. Lowlands tequila.
Is tequila made in pot stills or column stills?
Both. Pot stills distill in batches and keep more body and agave character. Column stills run continuously and produce a lighter, cleaner spirit at large scale. Many craft producers use pot stills.
Does tequila have additives?
It can. Under Mexico's tequila standard, blanco may only be cut with water, but joven, reposado, añejo and extra añejo may include up to 1% by weight of caramel color, oak extract, glycerin or sugar-based syrup without listing them on the label. Producers who add nothing rely on agave, cooking, fermentation and barrels for flavor. Don Londrés is made that way: nothing added beyond agave and time.
Drinking tequila
Why does tequila burn?
Alcohol triggers the same heat receptors as chili, so every spirit burns a little. Harsh burn usually comes from young or rushed spirit: fast cooking, rushed fermentation, or poor separation of heads and tails during distillation. Slow cooking and careful distillation produce a softer, rounder tequila. Why does tequila burn?
What makes a tequila smooth?
Mature agave, slow cooking in ovens, unhurried fermentation and careful pot distillation. Rest in oak softens it further. Sweeteners and glycerin can fake smoothness, which is why many enthusiasts look for producers that add nothing. The smoothest tequilas to sip.
How do you drink tequila properly?
Pour about 1.5 ounces into a narrow glass, let it sit a minute, smell it, then take small sips and let each one rest on your tongue. Good tequila does not need salt or lime, which were traditionally used to mask harsh spirit. How to sip tequila properly.
Should tequila be served cold or at room temperature?
Sip good tequila at room temperature, where its aroma opens up. Chilling or freezing mutes flavor, which is why it is common with lower quality shots. A single large ice cube is fine if you prefer it cooler.
What glass should I use for tequila?
A narrow tasting glass such as a copita or Glencairn concentrates aroma for sipping. The tall shot glass, or caballito, is traditional in Mexico. Rocks glasses work for tequila over ice.
How much tequila is in a shot?
In the U.S., a standard shot is 1.5 fluid ounces, about 44 milliliters.
Health, storage and strength
How many calories are in tequila?
About 97 calories in a 1.5 ounce shot of 80 proof tequila, with zero carbohydrates and zero sugar. Mixers like margarita mix and soda add most of the calories in tequila drinks. Is tequila keto? Calories and carbs.
Is tequila gluten-free?
Yes. Tequila is made from agave, not grain, so it contains no gluten. 100% agave tequila is the safest choice because mixtos can include other sugars.
Is tequila keto friendly?
Plain tequila has no carbs or sugar, so it fits a keto diet in moderation. Keep mixers sugar-free: soda water and fresh lime instead of sweetened mixes.
Does tequila go bad once opened?
Tequila does not spoil, but once opened it slowly oxidizes and loses aroma, especially when the bottle is less than half full. For best flavor, finish an opened bottle within about a year.
How should I store tequila?
Upright, tightly sealed, at room temperature and out of direct sunlight. Unlike wine, it should not be stored on its side, because the spirit can degrade the cork.
What proof is tequila?
Mexican law allows tequila between 35% and 55% ABV. Most bottles sold in the U.S. are 40% ABV, or 80 proof.
Buying tequila
How much should a good bottle of tequila cost?
In the U.S., well made 100% agave blancos typically run about $30 to $60, reposados about $40 to $80 and añejos about $50 to $150. Price above that often reflects packaging or marketing more than liquid. Best tequila under $50.
How do I read a tequila label?
Check four things: 100% agave, the category (blanco, reposado, añejo), the NOM number for the distillery, and the ABV. Then look up the NOM to see how that distillery cooks, crushes and distills. How to read a tequila label.
Is expensive tequila better?
Not necessarily. Production method matters more than price: mature agave, oven cooking, natural fermentation and pot distillation. Many excellent tequilas cost less than heavily marketed bottles. Don Londrés vs. Clase Azul.
What is the best tequila for beginners?
A 100% agave reposado: soft, slightly sweet from oak, with clear agave flavor. Start neat at room temperature or with one large ice cube. Best tequila for beginners.
Tequila cocktails
What is the classic margarita recipe?
2 ounces 100% agave tequila, 1 ounce fresh lime juice and 3/4 ounce orange liqueur or agave syrup, shaken hard with ice and strained over fresh ice in a salt-rimmed glass. Fresh lime is the biggest upgrade. How to make a perfect margarita.
What is a Paloma?
Mexico's most popular tequila cocktail: 2 ounces blanco tequila, 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice and grapefruit soda over ice with a pinch of salt. Paloma recipe.
What is Ranch Water?
A West Texas highball: 2 ounces blanco tequila and 1 ounce fresh lime juice over ice, topped with sparkling mineral water such as Topo Chico. Ranch Water recipe.
About Don Londrés
What is Don Londrés?
Don Londrés is a premium 100% blue Weber agave tequila from Atotonilco El Alto, in the Highlands of Jalisco. The agave is roasted in brick ovens for 48+ hours, naturally fermented and double distilled in copper pot stills, with nothing added beyond agave and time. It has won 50+ international spirits awards.
Who founded Don Londrés?
Music executive Dre London, known for discovering and managing Post Malone, and master distiller Francisco González, whose family has been distilling tequila since 1905. The Don Londrés founder story.
Where is Don Londrés made?
At NOM 1518 in Atotonilco El Alto, Jalisco, Mexico, from single-estate blue Weber agave grown in the Highlands' red volcanic soil. Don Julio is made in the same town, at a different distillery. Don Londrés vs. Don Julio.
How much does Don Londrés cost?
Don Londrés Blanco is $49 suggested retail ($51.99 direct online) and Don Londrés Reposado is $72.80 direct online, both 750ml at 40% ABV. An Añejo is coming soon. Don Londrés pricing explained.
Where can I buy Don Londrés?
Online at donlondres.com with shipping to eligible U.S. states, and at 900+ U.S. retail locations including Total Wine, Spec's and ABC Fine Wine & Spirits. It launched in the UK at Selfridges in 2024. Where to buy Don Londrés.
More questions people ask
Is there a worm in tequila?
No. Real tequila never contains a worm. The worm, a moth larva called a gusano, shows up in some bottles of mezcal, a marketing gimmick that took off in the mid 1900s. If a bottle labeled tequila has a worm in it, be skeptical of what you are buying. Tequila vs. mezcal, explained.
Is tequila an upper or a downer?
Tequila is alcohol, and alcohol is a depressant. There is no good evidence that tequila works as a stimulant. Its upbeat reputation comes from how it is usually drunk, in shots and at celebrations, and from myths about agave sugars that do not survive distillation in any active form.
Is tequila healthier than other alcohol?
No alcohol is a health food. Pure tequila has no sugar, carbs or gluten and about 97 calories per 1.5 ounce shot, the same as vodka or whiskey at 80 proof. Health claims about agave fiber apply to the raw plant, not distilled tequila. What you mix it with makes the biggest difference.
Is tequila stronger than vodka?
Usually they are the same strength. Most tequila and most vodka are bottled at 40% alcohol by volume, or 80 proof, so a shot of either delivers the same amount of alcohol. Strength depends on the bottle, so check the ABV on the label.
Tequila or vodka: which has fewer calories?
Neither. At 80 proof, a 1.5 ounce shot of tequila or vodka has about 97 calories and zero carbs or sugar. Calories in a drink come almost entirely from the alcohol and the mixers. Tequila calories and carbs.
Does tequila give you a worse hangover?
How much you drink and how hydrated you stay matter far more than the spirit. Darker, more heavily aged spirits carry more congeners, compounds some research links to rougher hangovers, while blanco tequila carries relatively few. Pace yourself, drink water and eat.
Does tequila freeze?
Not in a home freezer. An 80 proof spirit freezes at roughly minus 27 degrees Celsius (about minus 17 degrees Fahrenheit), much colder than a typical home freezer at minus 18 degrees Celsius (0 degrees Fahrenheit). Freezing good tequila mutes its flavor anyway.
Does unopened tequila expire?
No. Sealed tequila keeps indefinitely if stored upright, away from heat and direct sunlight, because the alcohol prevents spoilage. Once opened, it slowly loses aroma, so finish it within about a year for the best flavor.
How many shots are in a bottle of tequila?
A standard 750ml bottle holds about 25.4 fluid ounces, or about 17 shots of 1.5 ounces. A one liter bottle holds about 22 shots.
How much tequila is in a margarita?
Most margaritas use 1.5 to 2 ounces of tequila per drink. A classic ratio is 2 ounces tequila, 1 ounce fresh lime juice and 3/4 ounce orange liqueur or agave syrup. A 750ml bottle makes about 12 to 17 margaritas. How to make a perfect margarita.
How much tequila do I need for a party?
Estimate drinks first. If half of 100 guests drink tequila cocktails and each has three, that is 150 drinks. At 1.5 to 2 ounces per drink, you need about 9 to 12 bottles of 750ml. Buy one extra bottle for every 50 guests to be safe.
Why is tequila only made in Mexico?
Tequila is a protected Denomination of Origin, declared by Mexico in 1974 and recognized by trade partners including the United States and the European Union. Only spirits made from blue Weber agave in the designated region of Mexico, and certified by the Consejo Regulador del Tequila, can be called tequila.
Why is tequila so expensive?
Blue agave takes six to eight years or more to mature, so shortages push prices up for years at a time. Traditional methods, like brick ovens, pot stills and barrel aging, also cost more than industrial ones. Packaging and celebrity marketing add the rest, which is why price alone does not tell you quality.
Why is it called tequila?
It is named after the town of Tequila in Jalisco, Mexico, where the spirit was first produced commercially. The surrounding agave landscape is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
What does tequila taste like?
Good blanco tequila tastes like cooked agave, citrus, black pepper and fresh herbs. Reposado adds vanilla and light caramel from oak, and añejo leans into toffee, oak and dried fruit. Highlands tequilas tend to be sweeter and fruitier; Lowlands tequilas more earthy and peppery. Highlands vs. Lowlands tequila.
What mixes well with tequila?
Fresh lime above all, then grapefruit soda for a Paloma, sparkling mineral water like Topo Chico for Ranch Water, orange juice for a Tequila Sunrise, ginger beer for a mule, and pineapple or watermelon juice. Plain soda water and lime is the lightest option. Ranch Water recipe.
What is the best tequila for shots?
A smooth 100% agave blanco. Well made tequila does not need salt and lime to hide harshness, so a shot of a good blanco at room temperature tastes far better than a cheap mixto chased with lime.
How can you tell if tequila is real?
Check the label for the word Tequila, a NOM number for the distillery, and, for premium bottles, 100% agave. 100% agave tequila must be bottled in Mexico. The popular shake test, where you look for lasting bubbles, is folklore and not a reliable sign of quality or authenticity. How to read a tequila label.
How can you tell if a tequila has additives?
You usually cannot tell from the label, because up to 1% of certain additives does not have to be disclosed. Clues include an unusually sweet vanilla or cake aroma and a thick, syrupy feel. Some independent programs test brands and publish which ones use none.
Is reposado stronger than blanco?
No, not by category. Reposado and blanco are usually both bottled at 40% ABV. Reposado just rests in oak for two months to a year, which changes flavor and color, not strength. What is reposado tequila?
Can tequila help a sore throat or a cold?
There is no medical evidence that tequila treats a sore throat or a cold. Alcohol can dehydrate you and may interact with cold medicines. Warm tea with honey and rest will do more for you.
Sources
- Consejo Regulador del Tequila (CRT)
- Forbes México (EFE): CRT 2025 production and exports
- Tasting Table: tequila additives explained
- USDA FoodData Central: distilled spirits, 80 proof
Compare: Don Londrés vs. Casamigos · vs. Don Julio · vs. Clase Azul · vs. Lalo · Tequila by the numbers. Leer en español: preguntas frecuentes sobre el tequila.
Last reviewed October 2026 by the Don Londrés team. Facts about Mexico's tequila standard refer to NOM-006-SCFI-2012.