It’s National Tequila Day coming up on 24th July and, luckily for venues everywhere, this date falls on a Friday this year.
Tequila is one of the UK’s favourite spirits and plays a big part in classic cocktails such as the Margarita, Long Island Iced Tea and of course Tequila Sunrise. It’s also many people’s go-to shot drink on a night out (and the cause of too many hangovers!)
Here’s our advice on the best tequilas to stock behind the bar, to make sure you don’t make any pour decisions!
Our interest in tequila is on the (sun)rise
The above graph shows we’ve been searching for tequila more frequently the last few months. We’ve also seen a sharp increase in the number of searches this year when compared to the last five years too!
It’s worth noting that 65% of UK drinkers prefer to drink tequila in cocktails rather than as a shot. So perfect those Margaritas in time for the 24th July.
According to research by Scenic Cruises and Tours and online marketplace On Buy:
- Margarita is our second most searched for cocktail – and a firm favourite amongst people from Poole!
- Long Island Iced Tea is the UK’s ninth most searched cocktail over the past month – and is the favourite cocktail in Middlesbrough
And searches for tequila cocktail recipes have jumped by 122% during lockdown!
Research by Funkin Cocktails suggests the Long Island Iced Tea is the UK’s third favourite cocktail to drink in restaurants, bars and pubs too.
The best brands to keep in stock
Tequila has been a protected designation of origin product since 1997, and under Mexican law can only be produced in five specific Mexican states. Tequila production in Mexico is governed by the Tequila Regulatory Council, and includes a list of strict guidelines such as the use of additives must be less than 1% and the popular spirit must be made with over 51% blue weber agave nectar.
Before stocking tequila behind your bar, make sure it’s marked as ‘Made in Mexico’!
According to YouGov ratings, our most popular tequila brands don’t feature in the top 100 popular alcohol brands, with Jose Cuervo ranking at number 130. No wonder given that it’s the top selling tequila brand!
There are three main types of tequila:
- Blanco: a clear spirit suitable for mixing
- Reposado: left to mature for at least two months but can be aged for up to a year
- Añejo: must be aged for over a year, which results in a deep gold colour
With over 2,000 registered brand names, it’s tough to know which tequila brands you should keep in stock to impress your customers.
We’ve undertaken our very own research to develop the ultimate list of tequila brands you need behind the bar. We’ve analysed the best-selling tequila brands by case sales, online Amazon sales and Google search trends in the UK to come up with our very own list of top tequilas:
- Jose Cuervo
- Patrón
- Don Julio
- Olmeca Altos
- El Jimador
- Ocho
- Sauza
- Espolòn
- Hornitos
- Sierra
Celebrity tequilas
Did you know Dwayne Johnson, Rita Ora, Justin Timberlake, Michael Jordan, P Diddy, AC/DC, Adam Levine, Nick Jonas, George Clooney and Chris North are all (or have been) stakeholders in tequila brands? Why not stock up on some celebrity endorsed tequilas to give your customers a taste of the luxury lifestyle?
Whatever you’re planning for National Tequila Day, we hope you and your customers will have a great time celebrating together.
Download our tequila infographic now & share it with your team
