Blanco tequila

Also called silver tequila, plata tequila, tequila blanco

Unaged tequila distilled from cooked blue agave in Mexico's protected zone, bottled clear within 59 days of distillation. Look for '100% de agave' on the label; plain 'tequila' may contain up to 49% other sugars. Its pepper, citrus and cooked agave character makes it the standard base for a Margarita.

cooked agave
white pepper
lime zest
green herbs
wet stone
light sweetness
clean heat

Origin

The Tequila appellation was declared on Dec. 9, 1974 and covers 181 municipalities across Jalisco and parts of Michoacán, Guanajuato, Nayarit and Tamaulipas. Only blue agave, Agave tequilana Weber, may be used, under the official standard NOM-006-SCFI-2012 and the oversight of the Consejo Regulador del Tequila. There are two categories: 100% agave, bottled in the region, and 'tequila', which has needed only 51% agave sugars since 1970. Blanco (also silver or plata) rests from zero to 59 days before bottling.

Common uses

margarita
Paloma with grapefruit soda
tequila and tonic
Tommy's Margarita with agave nectar
Ranch Water with soda and lime

Pours that use it

Classic
Margarita
Tequila, lime and orange liqueur, with salt on half the rim
The classic tequila sour: blanco tequila, fresh lime juice and Cointreau with a touch of agave, shaken and served with salt on half the rim.
TequilaShakenEasy

Sources

Appellation of Origin Tequila (CRT), Consejo Regulador del Tequila · primary source, retrieved 2026-10-11
Tequila classifications, categories and classes, Difford's Guide · secondary source, retrieved 2026-10-11