We wouldn’t dream of limiting margaritas to just one season, but something about the spring and summer months seems especially appropriate for margarita nights. After all, if you can find a mix you like, it couldn’t be easier. Just add tequila!
In anticipation of a 5 to 7 season on the terrace, our team set out to identify a must-have margarita blend. Here are the details of the experiment: We collected eight bottles of margarita mix – original lime flavor only. All were name brands widely available at major southern food retailers. No private label was included in our test. Read on to see our favorites!
On a mission to find a must-have margarita mix for the summer, our team rounded up eight options and tasted them all. Image: Alissa Harb
8 brands of Margarita Mix: RANKED!
THE WINNER: Tres Agaves
Although taste tests are nothing if not subjective, the results of our experiment were clear – Tres Agaves Organic Lime Margarita Mix was the winner. Produced by the famous tequila brand Tres Agaves, this blend stands out for its simplicity. It’s made with just four simple, organic ingredients: agave nectar, lime juice, filtered water, and vitamin C. It’s a nice balance of sweet and sour, with no flavor overpowering the other. . The best part? This margarita mix is available at most liquor stores and major grocery retailers, including Kroger, Publix, Walmart, and Target.
Tres Agaves Organic Margarita Mix costs around $8.99 for a one-liter bottle and is widely available at major retailers. Find it near you! Picture: Tres Agaves
SECOND PLACE: Agalima Bio
Organic Agalima just arrived! Although similar to Tres Agaves in color, ingredient list, and price, Agalima was a little more tart. If you prefer your margs with a big bite of lime, this might be the one for you. We also loved that the ingredient list was short and sweet, with no artificial flavors or sweeteners. We branded ours at Publix, but it’s also widely available at liquor stores.
Agalima Authentic Margarita Mix retails for around $8.99 for a one-liter bottle, depending on location. Find it near you! Image: Agalima
THIRD PLACE: Lefty O’Doul’s and Zing Zang
It’s a tie! These two blends may sound familiar for reasons you can’t quite put your finger on right now. On the right you will find zing zing, a beloved brand in the South for its signature Bloody Mary Mix. On the left you will find Lefty O’Doul’sdeveloped in the 1950s by baseball player Francis Joseph “Lefty” O’Doul and served in his San Francisco sports bar.
It’s an interesting pair. People who favored Zing Zang raved about its very sweet flavor — “almost faint, but in a good way” — while Lefty O’Doul’s Key Lime Mix packed a distinctly sweet-and-sour punch. If you find yourself on either end of the spectrum in your margarita preferences, you should explore one of these two brands! You can get your hands on Lefty’s at Kroger and Zing Zang at most liquor stores and major grocery stores in the South.
Tied for third place we have Lefty O’Doul’s (which has a distinct sweet and sour punch) and Zing Zang (which has a much sweeter flavor). Each brand costs around $5 for a one-liter bottle. Find retailers near you that carry Lefty’s HEREand retailers that sell Zing Zang HERE. Images: Lefty O’Doul’s + Zing Zang
HONORABLE MENTIONS
The remaining four mixes were somewhat polarizing. Each received an upvote (or two), but the results were disappointing overall. However, we wouldn’t turn them down in a pinch.
Mr. and Mrs. T, Jose Cuervo, Powell and Mahoneyand On the House were the four least appreciated brands by our team. But, we certainly wouldn’t turn them down in a heartbeat! Pictures: Amazon
While tasting eight margarita blends in one afternoon was an ambitious undertaking, we highly recommend this activity for a group of friends. Choose three to four stir mixes in pitchers with your favorite tequila and lots of ice. Invite your guests to taste each blend, then prepare a full serving of their favorite with fresh limes and a rim of salt (or sugar). Serve with chips, salsa and guac for a happy hour occasion, or make it a meal with a full range of Mexican dishes.
Cheers!
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If homemade margaritas are faster, you have to try this frozen watermelon margarita recipe. And, last month, we tried store-bought chilli cheese brands – check out their rankings!
