In this article, we are going to discuss the 20 best cheap tequilas under $50 for 2024. You can skip our detailed analysis of the global tequila market, the rising popularity of tequila-based RTDs, and the success of celebrity-owned tequilas, and go directly to 5 Best Cheap Tequilas Under $50 for 2024.
The tequila we know and love today didn't start off the way we recognize it now. The origins of tequila date back to around 250-300 A.D., when the Aztecs first fermented the sap of the agave plant to produce their ceremonial wine, ‘pulque’. This liquid was very important to Aztec culture as they also worshiped two Gods – Mayahuel, the goddess of the Maguey, and her husband Patecatl, the god of pulque. Though the first documentation of the agave wine appeared much earlier, the drink really caught on centuries later when the Aztecs received a surprise visit from the Spanish Conquistadors.
The parched Spaniards introduced the region to the process of distillation and when their brandy supplies ran low, they turned to agave and produced Mezcal. The first large-scale distillery was built in the 1600s in what is now Tequila, Jalisco, and the commercial production of tequila started in the following century when the famed Cuervo family started distilling the liquor in 1758.
Global Tequila Market:
Tequila is one of the Most Consumed Alcohols in the World. The global market of the popular liquor was valued at $14.7 billion in 2022, and is expected to reach $30.3 billion by 2028, with a CAGR of 12.3% during the forecast period. The growth in popularity of tequila can be attributed to a number of factors, including the expansion of the premium spirits market, the introduction of new flavors, and a greater social media presence.
Tequila's popularity has been on the rise in the United States for years, and in 2021, it even surpassed whiskey in retail sales, making it the country’s second best-selling spirit behind vodka. According to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, tequila and mezcal revenue rose to $6 billion last year, an increase of 17.2% from 2021.
2022 was a record year for Mexico’s tequila exports, amounting to $3.6 billion between January and October – a 34.1% jump year-over-year. The tequila industry also attracts hordes of tourists to Jalisco every year, contributing hundreds of millions of dollars to the local economy and supporting over 70,000 jobs.
The Rising Popularity of Tequila-Based RTDs:
Ready-to-drink beverages continue to make headlines as the fastest-growing alcohol beverage category. While malt-based RTDs still retain the lion’s share in the American RTD market, spirit-based RTDs grew by 51% in 2021, approximately double the growth of the wine-and malt-based categories. As we mentioned in our article – 25 Most Popular Spirits in the World – the spirits-based RTDs are expected to grow at a CAGR of 33% in volume in the U.S. by 2025.
Among the rising numbers of spirit-based RTD products, vodka and tequila bases are dominant, together accounting for more than 50% of new spirit-based RTD launches between 2019 and the first half of 2021. The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE:SAM) also joined the lucrative agave bandwagon last year with the launch of Loma Vista Tequila Soda, a spirits-based RTD beverage made from premium tequila blanco, real lime juice, carbonated water, and natural flavors. While the formula seems to resemble the classic build for a Ranch Water cocktail (popular in the southwest), the simple ‘tequila soda’ name seems to resonate with bar goers from across the country.
Debuting in four-pack 12-ounce cans in lime and mango flavors, The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE:SAM) introduced the 5.5% ABV Loma Vista Tequila Soda in Austin, Fort Collins, Kansas City, and Wichita in late October last year.
A growing number of celebrities are investing their time and money in the spirits business by backing brands, getting involved with distillation, deciding on flavor profiles, or forging partnerships within the industry. These ventures have often proven quite lucrative.
In 2013, George Clooney and his partners Rande Gerber and Mike Meldman founded Casamigos Tequila, and four years later, the brand was acquired by Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) in a deal worth up to $1 billion, as the world's largest spirits maker sought to lift its presence in the high-growth market. Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) paid $700 million upfront, with potential payment of a further $300 million linked to the brand’s performance over 10 years.
However, things are looking good for Mr. Clooney and company, as Casamigos has achieved massive success since the deal and with global sales of 3.2 million 9-liter cases in 2022, now ranks among the Most Popular Tequila Brands in the World. Also, the recent news that Casamigos expanded its lineup with a cristalino expression should only add to its potential to sell another few million over the coming years.
Similarly, the WWE legend and Hollywood superstar Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson also launched his ultra-premium, small-batch tequila brand named Teremana in 2020. The venture has proven to be quite successful and the brand crossed the coveted milestone of 1 million 9-liter annual case sales earlier this year. To meet growing consumer demand while maintaining the small-batch process used to make its tequila, Teremana has also invested in the construction of an expanded distillery, which will begin production towards the end of 2023. Moreover, it was announced yesterday that the brand has also launched the Mana Holiday House – an immersive virtual holiday experience and limited-time pop-ups to 'share the mana'. Accessible online at ManaHolidayHouse.com, the one-stop virtual holiday experience is designed to make at-home holiday gatherings simple and easy to enjoy with family and friends.
With that said, here are the Best Quality Tequilas Under $50 for 2024.
20 Best Cheap Tequilas Under $50 for 2024
Igor Normann/Shutterstock.com
Methodology:
To collect data for this article, we referred to a number of sources, such as Liquor, VinePair, Men’s Journal, Reddit etc., looking for the Best Tequilas Under $50. We picked tequilas that appeared at least thrice in these sources, assigned them a score based on their number of appearances, and ranked them accordingly. When two tequilas had the same score, we ranked them by the price (excluding tax) of their 750 ml bottles.
If you’re also a gin lover looking for affordable but high quality options, here are the Best Gins Under $50.
Note: Prices have been sourced primarily from Wine-Searcher. As liquor prices can vary greatly across the United States, we cannot guarantee their accuracy.
20. Tres Generaciones Reposado
Insider Monkey Score: 3
Price: $45
After a relaunch in 2015, Tres Generaciones is back on the map and it’s a highly regarded top shelf spirit. Tres Generaciones Reposado is naturally made from 100% blue agave. It is triple-distilled for smoothness and then rested in American Oak barrels for at least four months.
Tres Generaciones is owned by the Sauza Tequila Import Company, which in turn is owned by Beam Suntory, Inc.
19. Teremana Small Batch Blanco
Insider Monkey Score: 3
Price: $33
Crafted in a small Mexican town amidst the highest peaks of the Jalisco Highlands, every step of Teremana’s tequila-making process is meticulously done to create delicious spirit that truly honors the land it comes from.
Teremana Small Batch Blanco ranks among the Best Blanco Tequilas Under $50.
18. Corralejo Reposado
Insider Monkey Score: 3
Price: $31
With over 250 years of history in tequila making, Corralejo Reposado is tradition in a bottle. Made from 100% Blue Weber Agave and aged for four months in a mix of American, French Limousine, and Mexican Oak barrels, this Reposado is then bottled in-house at Hacienda Corralejo.
Founded in the 18th century, Hacienda Corralejo was the first commercial producer of tequila in Mexico.
17. Herradura Reposado
Insider Monkey Score: 4
Price: $45
Tequila Herradura introduced the world to Reposado in 1974 and has been setting the standard ever since. Aged longer than the industry standard for 11 months, Reposado has a rich amber color with notes of cooked agave, vanilla, and butter.
The Casa Herradura was acquired by The Brown-Forman Corporation in 2007, in a deal worth $776 million.
16. Lunazul Blanco
Insider Monkey Score: 4
Price: $21
Blanco is the most affordable, beginning level of tequila that is white in color and aged the least, if at all. Lunazul Blanco is distilled and bottled with 100% Blue Agave at the Tierra de Agaves Distillery in Tequila, Jalisco. Owned by Heaven Hill, this tequila was awarded the Chairman’s Trophy in the Blanco category of the Ultimate Spirits Challenge in 2018.
15. Pueblo Viejo Reposado
Insider Monkey Score: 4
Price: $20
Pueblo Viejo has been crafted with love and dedication since 1886, combining time-honored techniques with innovative advancements to create a truly exceptional spirit. Aged for at least eleven months in oak, the Pueblo Viejo Reposado is a sweet and smooth-tasting liquor – a great option for people looking for a Great Tequila Under $30.
14. Espanita Reposado
Insider Monkey Score: 5
Price: $37
Produced in one of the most prestigious distilleries in Mexico, this is a high quality tequila that is aged for six months in slightly charred American white oak barrels, which are sourced from Bourbon manufacturers.
Committed to honoring its authentic Mexican roots, Espanita Artisanal Tequila is a female-founded and operated brand that has received recognition for its exceptional quality and craftsmanship.
13. El Mayor Añejo
Insider Monkey Score: 5
Price: $35
Designed for slow, contemplative sipping, this 100% Blue Agave Añejo tequila is aged in white oak barrels for 18 to 36 months to provide a sophisticatedly smooth product.
El Mayor is a handcrafted tequila grown in the highlands of Jalisco and aged using processes perfected by four generations of the González family distillers.
12. Olmeca Altos Plata
Insider Monkey Score: 5
Price: $28
Owned by Pernod Ricard, Olmeca Altos Plata is the most traditional expression of Altos. Recognized for its natural smoothness when sipped, but also for being the Margarita champion, it was voted the #1 Tequila for Margaritas according to the 2023 Drinks International poll of top bartenders around the globe.
11. La Gritona Reposado
Insider Monkey Score: 6
Price: $49
La Gritona Reposado is a subtle rested tequila distilled by Melly Barajas and her staff of women at her small distillery in Valle De Guadalupe, Jalisco.
La Gritona currently bottles an average of 12,500 liters per batch, and all of the agave remnants that are left over after production are given to local farmers to use as cattle feed.
La Gritona Reposado sits among the Best Reposado Tequilas Under $50.
10. Pasote Blanco
Insider Monkey Score: 6
Price: $43
Utterly clean and clear, with an exquisitely soft mouthfeel, the first impression of this beautifully balanced agave tequila is that you’re drinking liquid light.
The stand out feature of Pasote’s Los Altos based distillery is its ability to capture and use rainwater. The brand uses 40% rainwater and 60% spring water. The effect on taste is evident and contributes significantly to the uniqueness and success of this range.
9. Hornitos Plata
Insider Monkey Score: 7
Price: $24
Introduced in 1950 in honor of the Mexican Independence Day, Casa Sauza’s Hornitos Plata is made from 100% Blue Agave for a smooth-tasting, medium-bodied tequila.
Owned by Beam Suntory, one of the largest spirits producers in the world, Casa Sauza claims to be the first tequila producer to use hydrolysis, a step that makes tequila production more efficient.
Hornitos Plata sits among the Best Value Tequilas in 2023.
8. LALO Blanco
Insider Monkey Score: 8
Price: $48
LALO Blanco represents the truest and purest spirit on Earth, with no barrels or additives, boldly presenting the taste of the finest agave from the Jalisco highlands. This additive free tequila is made with only three ingredients – fully mature highland agave, champagne yeast, and deep well water.
LALO is named after its co-founder and maestro tequilero Eduardo “Lalo” Gonzalez, the grandson of Don Julio González of the iconic Don Julio tequila brand.
7. Arette Blanco
Insider Monkey Score: 10
Price: $24
Bottled on site in Jalisco and made from 100% agave, Arette Blanco is a great and affordable tequila full of fresh flavors, spicy hints, and a cheeky character in which you can pick out each single flavor note.
With sales mostly in the European and American markets, Arette is a Mexican family business dedicated to the production and sale of tequila, fusing the artisanal with the new in its production processes.
6. Olmeca Altos Reposado
Insider Monkey Score: 11
Price: $28
The perfect drink to kick back and relax, Altos Reposado is made from 100% Blue Agave grown in the state of Jalisco, and is aged for six to eight months in barrels once used for whiskey, adding a unique flavor to every sip.
Part of Pernod Ricard since 2001, Olmeca brings its vibrant energy to the party in 80 countries around the world. Olmeca Altos Reposado is one of the Best Tequilas Under $50 on Reddit.
