Best Cheap Tequila in the UK: Bottles Actually Worth Buying

"Cheap tequila" has a bad reputation in the UK, mostly deserved — but not because tequila itself has to be expensive. It's because a lot of the cheapest bottles on supermarket shelves are "mixto" tequila, and that's the actual thing to avoid, not the price tag.

The one rule that actually matters: 100% agave

Tequila labelled "100% agave" is made entirely from blue agave sugars. Anything not labelled that way is "mixto" — legally allowed to be as little as 51% agave, with the rest made up of cheaper sugars. Mixto is what gives cheap tequila its reputation for rough edges and worse hangovers. A £15 100% agave blanco will almost always beat a £15 mixto bottle — check the label before you check the price.

Genuinely good cheap tequilas in the UK (under £25)

• Espolòn Blanco — widely available in UK supermarkets, 100% agave, clean and peppery, excellent in a Margarita. Usually £20-24.
• Olmeca Altos Plata — made specifically for cocktails by respected bartenders, 100% agave, reliably under £20 on offer.
• El Jimador Blanco — one of Mexico's best-selling 100% agave tequilas, often under £20 in the UK, straightforward and mixable.
• Camino Blanco — a newer budget-friendly 100% agave option increasingly stocked in UK supermarkets.

What to actually avoid

Steer clear of unbranded "gold" tequila under £15 with no "100% agave" statement on the label — this is almost always mixto, sometimes with added caramel colouring to fake the look of an aged tequila. If a bottle doesn't say 100% agave anywhere, assume it isn't.

Cheap doesn't mean it can't work in cocktails

For a Margarita or Paloma (see our full tequila cocktails guide), a clean 100% agave blanco in the £18-25 range performs just as well as bottles twice the price — the lime, salt and Cointreau in a Margarita do a lot of the work. Save the añejo splurge for sipping neat; put the budget bottle to work in cocktails where it belongs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is cheap tequila bad for you?

Cheap mixto tequila (not 100% agave) is more commonly associated with rough hangovers because of the added sugars and lower-quality distillation, not because of price itself. A cheap 100% agave tequila is a completely different, better product — always check the label.

What's the difference between mixto and 100% agave tequila?

100% agave tequila is made entirely from blue agave sugar. Mixto tequila only requires a minimum of 51% agave, with the remainder made up from other, cheaper sugars — this is what causes the harsher taste and reputation cheap tequila has in the UK.

What's the best cheap tequila for margaritas specifically?

Espolòn Blanco and Olmeca Altos Plata are both 100% agave, widely available in UK supermarkets, and specifically suited to cocktails rather than sipping — see our budget margarita tequila guide for a full breakdown by price.