The supermarket tequila for margarita lovers, according to a drinks expert

This bottle has won countless awards - (Becky Paskin/The Standard)

Sure, you can sip it neat or shoot it back – but there’s arguably no better way to enjoy tequila than mixed into a margarita.

The beauty of the classic cocktail is its simplicity: tequila, orange liqueur and fresh lime juice, shaken over ice and finished with a salty rim. And while you can spend serious money on a bottle, one supermarket-friendly tequila has repeatedly picked up accolades for its performance in a margarita: Olmeca altos plata.

“Olmeca Altos Plata is known as the bartender’s tequila: not only is it founded by bartenders, it’s voted time and again as the world’s best for making margaritas,” says drinks expert Becky Paskin.

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A good margarita strikes that elusive balance between sweet, sour and salt, with tequila providing the backbone and lime bringing the bright, refreshing kick.

Tequila has an undeniable “cool” factor. In recent years, the spirit has attracted a growing roster of celebrity devotees, from Kendall Jenner’s 818 Tequila to George Clooney’s Casamigos.

And there’s no reason to save it for the beach. Margaritas are an easy crowd-pleaser for a dinner party or house gathering –particularly because you can mix up a big batch in advance and keep the drinks flowing. This is the supermarket bottle to buy, as per Standard Shopping’s spirits reviewer.

Olmeca Altos Plata

(Becky Paskin/The Standard)

★★★★☆

What we love: It’s bright, fresh and zesty, perfect for cocktails, and one of the best budget tequilas around

Take note: May be too simple for those looking for a sipping tequila

“Crafted from 100 per cent agave in the highlands of Jalisco, Olmeca Altos Plata is known as the bartender’s tequila: not only is it founded by bartenders, it’s voted time and again as the world’s best for making margaritas.

It’s no wonder, either – Altos Plata is a bright, citrus-forward and herbaceous tequila that’s perfectly balanced with lingering notes of cooked agave and a touch of black pepper, making it a must-have for citrus-forward cocktails.”

• Classification: Blanco Tequila
• Produced in: Los Altos, Mexico
• ABV: 38%
• Size: 70cl

Reviewed by Becky Paskin

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