(Photo: Diageo)Drinks International recently released its annual Brands Report detailing the most popular brands among bartenders worldwide. The rankings dive into just about every category under the sun, ranging from the established likes of whiskey and vodka to up-and-coming favorites like pisco, non-alcohol spirits and cachaça.
Tequila, one of the fastest-growing favorites in the U.S., was subject to some fascinating trends. Though most prominent brands retained their position on the list from previous years, the absence of a few heavy hitters signaled that tastes are changing fast. Jose Cuervo, by all accounts the most dominant name in modern-day tequila, didn't warrant a single mention in the ranking. Drinks International says that it's "perhaps an indication that among the world's best bars anything less than 100% agave won't do anymore."
Data for the ranking was sourced from a diverse sample of venues that featured on recent editions of The World's 50 Best Bars, Tales of the Cocktail's Spirited Award and other regional awards including North America and Asia's 50 Best Bars.
10 Best Selling Tequila Brands in 2025
10. Cazadores
[caption id="attachment_97489" align="aligncenter" width="600"] (Photo: Cazadores)[/caption]
Cazadores saw double-digit growth in 2021 and 2022, which has continued to propel the brand into new markets across the globe. Those hoping to find the brand should look out for its stag logo, an homage to the Jalisco highlands where Cazadores' agave is grown.
9. Herradura
[caption id="attachment_97492" align="aligncenter" width="600"] (Photo: Herradura)[/caption]
Herradura is one of the oldest brands in the game, dating its roots back to 1870 when it was founded by the influential Aurelio López Rosales. Though the brand is now owned by Brown-Forman, the American firm behind Jack Daniel's, the legacy behind its spirits remains. Popular expressions include the brand's Blanco, Cristalino and recently debuted Legend.
8. Fortaleza
[caption id="attachment_60334" align="aligncenter" width="600"] (Photo: Fortaleza)[/caption]
Tequila Fortaleza is, according to many enthusiasts, the cream of the crop when it comes to additive-free agave spirits. The brand has witnessed skyrocketing cult popularity that can be likened only to heavy hitters in the bourbon world like Blanton's and Van Winkle. Because of this, you're more likely to find it offered on the rocks than inside a cocktail. Though not every bar is guaranteed to stock a bottle of Fortaleza, any that does is likely to have a chatty bartender who has studied up on their liquor mythology.
7. Casamigos
[caption id="attachment_59518" align="aligncenter" width="600"] (Photo: Casamigos)[/caption]
Nearly a decade after igniting the celebrity-owned tequila craze, George Clooney's Casamigos is still a household name. The brand recently rolled out a duo of new expressions and continues to build on its Hollywood appeal with frequent appearances on the red carpet and music video. However, sales have begun to show signs of decline, leading some to speculate that Casamigos is currently in the make-or-break era of its lifespan. Whether or not you're a fan, be sure to keep an eye on this one in years to come.
6. Tapatio
The second additive-free tequila on the list comes courtesy of Tapatio, a near-century-old brand run by the same family who founded G4, El Tesoro and Pasote. We're huge fans of expressions like Tapatio Excelencia and Tapatio 110 but — more likely than not — these are not the products that led to its popularity among bartenders. Tapatio's $40 blanco is a workhouse tequila in all respects of the word, and rightly popular as a top-tier cocktail mixer.
5. Espolòn
[caption id="attachment_86605" align="aligncenter" width="600"] (Photo: Espolon)[/caption]
Espolòn saw enormous growth (+18.1%) in 2023 which appears to be held steady into the next year. Best known for the Dia de los Muertos-inspired artwork on each of its bottles, the brand produces a variety of budget-friendly tequilas popular within the mixology world. Recent releases include its marigold flower-infused Flor de Oro and commemorative 25th-anniversary blanco.
4. Olmeca Altos
[caption id="attachment_74504" align="aligncenter" width="600"] (Photo: Olmeca Altos)[/caption]
Olmca Altoes, not to be confused with its sub-brands Olmeca or Olmeca Tezón, is headed by French spirits firm Pernod Ricard. The brand has done a lot to encourage its use within the mixology world over the past few years, notably including the creation of an "emergency" lime hotline for margarita makers in need.
3. Tequila Ocho
[caption id="attachment_97488" align="aligncenter" width="600"] (Photo: Tequila Ocho)[/caption]
Though Tequila Ocho may not be the most recognizable name on the market, it holds a fantastic reputation among those in the know. In addition to expensive limited-edition offerings, the brand produces a $40 blanco designed for mixology and solo sipping alike. To see a confirmed additive-free tequila chart so high on the list is a sign of trends to come.
2. Patrón
[caption id="attachment_97490" align="aligncenter" width="600"] (Photo: Patron)[/caption]
Patrón's short-and-stout silhouette was a rallying cry of early-2000s party culture. More so than any other brand on this list, the distiller has maintained traction with a steady stream of innovations. A blitz of recent releases has included a cristalino expression, a pair of smoked "ahumado" tequilas, the return of its fan-favorite Patron XO Cafe and a slender quadruple-distilled El Cielo.
1. Don Julio
[caption id="attachment_97491" align="aligncenter" width="600"] (Photo: Don Julio)[/caption]
Don Julio, owned by the same parent company as Casamigos, has dominated the market with a two-pronged approach. On the one hand, consumers and bartenders can buy staple offerings like the brand's Blanco, Reposado and Anejo, all of which cost around the same as other "premium" brands. Those with money to spare can level up to Don Julio 1942, a $200 bottle that has established itself as the definitive splurge for trendy youngsters and celebrities at the club.
Whether or not it's the best-selling brand across the board (that designation likely goes to Jose Cuervo), Don Julio is undeniably the industry leader in high-end tequila.
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(Photo: Cazadores)[/caption]
Cazadores saw double-digit growth in 2021 and 2022, which has continued to propel the brand into new markets across the globe. Those hoping to find the brand should look out for its stag logo, an homage to the Jalisco highlands where Cazadores' agave is grown.
(Photo: Herradura)[/caption]
Herradura is one of the oldest brands in the game, dating its roots back to 1870 when it was founded by the influential Aurelio López Rosales. Though the brand is now owned by Brown-Forman, the American firm behind Jack Daniel's, the legacy behind its spirits remains. Popular expressions include the brand's Blanco, Cristalino and recently debuted Legend.
(Photo: Fortaleza)[/caption]
Tequila Fortaleza is, according to many enthusiasts, the cream of the crop when it comes to additive-free agave spirits. The brand has witnessed skyrocketing cult popularity that can be likened only to heavy hitters in the bourbon world like Blanton's and Van Winkle. Because of this, you're more likely to find it offered on the rocks than inside a cocktail. Though not every bar is guaranteed to stock a bottle of Fortaleza, any that does is likely to have a chatty bartender who has studied up on their liquor mythology.
(Photo: Casamigos)[/caption]
Nearly a decade after igniting the celebrity-owned tequila craze, George Clooney's Casamigos is still a household name. The brand recently rolled out a duo of new expressions and continues to build on its Hollywood appeal with frequent appearances on the red carpet and music video. However, sales have begun to show signs of decline, leading some to speculate that Casamigos is currently in the make-or-break era of its lifespan. Whether or not you're a fan, be sure to keep an eye on this one in years to come.
The second additive-free tequila on the list comes courtesy of Tapatio, a near-century-old brand run by the same family who founded G4, El Tesoro and Pasote. We're huge fans of expressions like Tapatio Excelencia and Tapatio 110 but — more likely than not — these are not the products that led to its popularity among bartenders. Tapatio's $40 blanco is a workhouse tequila in all respects of the word, and rightly popular as a top-tier cocktail mixer.
(Photo: Espolon)[/caption]
Espolòn saw enormous growth (+18.1%) in 2023 which appears to be held steady into the next year. Best known for the Dia de los Muertos-inspired artwork on each of its bottles, the brand produces a variety of budget-friendly tequilas popular within the mixology world. Recent releases include its marigold flower-infused Flor de Oro and commemorative 25th-anniversary blanco.
(Photo: Olmeca Altos)[/caption]
Olmca Altoes, not to be confused with its sub-brands Olmeca or Olmeca Tezón, is headed by French spirits firm Pernod Ricard. The brand has done a lot to encourage its use within the mixology world over the past few years, notably including the creation of an "emergency" lime hotline for margarita makers in need.
(Photo: Tequila Ocho)[/caption]
Though Tequila Ocho may not be the most recognizable name on the market, it holds a fantastic reputation among those in the know. In addition to expensive limited-edition offerings, the brand produces a $40 blanco designed for mixology and solo sipping alike. To see a confirmed additive-free tequila chart so high on the list is a sign of trends to come.
(Photo: Patron)[/caption]
Patrón's short-and-stout silhouette was a rallying cry of early-2000s party culture. More so than any other brand on this list, the distiller has maintained traction with a steady stream of innovations. A blitz of recent releases has included a cristalino expression, a pair of smoked "ahumado" tequilas, the return of its fan-favorite Patron XO Cafe and a slender quadruple-distilled El Cielo.
(Photo: Don Julio)[/caption]
Don Julio, owned by the same parent company as Casamigos, has dominated the market with a two-pronged approach. On the one hand, consumers and bartenders can buy staple offerings like the brand's Blanco, Reposado and Anejo, all of which cost around the same as other "premium" brands. Those with money to spare can level up to Don Julio 1942, a $200 bottle that has established itself as the definitive splurge for trendy youngsters and celebrities at the club.
Whether or not it's the best-selling brand across the board (that designation likely goes to Jose Cuervo), Don Julio is undeniably the industry leader in high-end tequila.
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