About Hornitos
Hornitos is one of the oldest and most well-known tequila brands. It was created in 1950 in Jalisco, Mexico by Don Francisco. Hornitos was known as one of the first brands to innovate on the tequila process. They were one of the first tequilas to make a reposado (aged) version and also one of the first to cook their agave in small ovens to maximize flavor.
Today, Hornitos is globally recognized as one of the top brands around, with a huge product line to match. Hornitos offers no less than six types of tequila, along with hard seltzers and other premixed drinks.
Hornitos is made from 100% blue agave. All types of Hornitos are double distilled and many are aged in oak to provide them their distinctive flavor. Hornitos is part of the Sauza Tequila Import Company which also makes the Sauza, Conmemorativo, and Tres Generaciones brands.
Where can I buy Hornitos?
Because it is one of the larger tequila brands, Hornitos is widely available. Their website offers a product locator, which allows customers to search their area not just for Hornitos in general, but for each specific product. So, if you have a craving for a specific type of Hornitos, the product locator is a great place to start.
Hornitos Tequila Prices
| Item | Type | Origin | Aged for | Alcohol (ABV) | Size | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornitos Plata | Blanco | Jalisco, Mexico | No aging | 40% (80 proof) | 375ml | $10.99 |
| 750ml | $19.99 | |||||
| 1L | $26.99 | |||||
| 1.75L | $36.99 | |||||
| Hornitos Reposado | Reposado | Jalisco, Mexico | 2 months | 40% (80 proof) | 375ml | $15.99 |
| 750ml | $19.99 | |||||
| 1.75L | $34.99 | |||||
| Hornitos Añejo | Añejo | Jalisco, Mexico | >1 year | 40% (80 proof) | 375ml | $14.99 |
| 750ml | $31.99 | |||||
| 1.75L | $59.99 | |||||
| Hornitos Cristalino | Añejo | Jalisco, Mexico | >1 year | 40% (80 proof) | 750ml | $30.99 |
| Hornitos Black Barrel | Añejo | Jalisco, Mexico | 1.5 years | 40% (80 proof) | 750ml | $30.99 |
| Hornitos Lime Shot | Flavored Blanco | Jalisco, Mexico | No aging | 35% (70 proof) | 750ml | $20.99 |
| Hornitos Seltzers-Lime | Seltzer with tequila | Jalisco, Mexico | No aging | 5% (10 proof) | 4-pack, 12oz. cans | $10.99 |
| Hornitos Seltzers-Mango | Seltzer with tequila | Jalisco, Mexico | No aging | 5% (10 proof) | 4-pack, 12oz. cans | $10.99 |
Buying Guide
Hornitos offers a wide variety of tequila options, so you’re well covered no matter what tequila you’re in the mood for!
Hornitos Plata – the original Hornitos. It is double distilled and unaged, meaning it’s clear and goes down smoothly. Agave is the predominant taste, followed by some citrus. It smells very fruity and floral and is an excellent choice for a classic Paloma.
Hornitos Reposado – Hornitos made one of the original reposado tequilas in 1950 to celebrate the anniversary of Mexican independence. Hornitos Reposado is double distilled then aged for two months in enormous, 10,000-gallon oak vats. This aging process gives Reposado a light straw color and adds notes of apple and wood to roasted agave. Reposado is a little bit fuller-bodied than the Plata and is excellent as a shot or as part of a margarita.
Hornitos Añejo – is aged for at least a full year in American oak barrels after being distilled. A bottle of Añejo is a rich brown color. The agave flavor is very rich and is also complemented with notes of vanilla and dried fruit. It is a very complex tequila.
Hornitos Cristalino – aims to combine the smooth and easy finish of an unaged tequila with the complexity and flavor of their Añejo. After aging in oak casks, Hornitos carbon filters the tequila and gently stirs it to remove the brown color. What’s left is a clear tequila that finishes very smooth but still tastes of agave, vanilla, and butterscotch notes from the aging process. It’s a great sipping tequila.
Black Barrel Hornitos – is also made from the Añejo. After being aged for a whole year on white oak, Black Barrel is moved to heavily charred oak casks for an additional four months, then to a toasted oak barrel for another two. The extra aging leaves a dark-colored tequila with an intense flavor.
Hornitos Lime Shot – Hornitos takes their Plata tequila and infuses some natural lime and salt. What’s left is almost like a margarita in a bottle!
Hornitos has also recently released a line of tequila seltzers. This takes their Plata tequila and mixes it with seltzer. This is available in lime, mango, and pineapple and is a much lighter way to enjoy your Hornitos.
The Best Way(s) to Drink Hornitos Tequila
From its beginnings, Hornitos was created to be a tequila you can enjoy as a shot. Hornitos tries to make all its varieties as smooth as possible so you can enjoy a shot on its own or with some lime and salt. However, Hornitos also is great in a variety of cocktails!
Paloma
A signature Hornitos Paloma is smooth and refreshing. Hornitos Plata is mixed with ruby red grapefruit juice, simple syrup, and club soda. It’s a fantastic cocktail for a day at the beach or just to relax! Palomas make for a great pitcher recipe as well if you’re having a party.
Reposado Margarita
Hornitos’ margarita recipe uses Hornitos Reposado, which provides the drink with a little more body and complexity. The tequila is mixed with agave syrup and lime juice. Shake and strain and you’re good to serve. This margarita is so good and so simple that a salt rim is optional.
Black Barrel Manhattan
You might not think of a Manhattan having tequila in it, but Hornitos Black Barrel is so well-balanced that it’s a perfect match. The Black Barrel Manhattan has Hornitos Black Barrel, sweet vermouth, a splash of cherry juice, and a maraschino cherry garnish. Stir and serve. This drink is so delicious that you don’t need ice!
Black Barrel Old Fashioned
Similar to the Manhattan, Old Fashioneds usually are made with rye or bourbon. Here though, Hornitos Black Barrel makes for a more than worthy replacement. The tequila is combined with simple syrup, amaro, and both Angostura and orange bitters. Garnish with an orange peel. The result is an exciting twist on a classic.
Sangrita
This shot is an excellent way to start a brunch. Pour a shot of Hornitos Plata and set aside. In another shot glass, mix orange, tomato, and lime juices, plus a couple of drops of Worcestershire and hot sauce. It’s bold, spicy, and delicious.
5 Best Things to Mix with Hornitos Tequila
- Lime: Whether it’s with a shot or as part of a cocktail, lime and Hornitos were simply meant to be together.
- Seltzer/Club Soda: A Hornitos and seltzer or soda is a light refreshing cocktail when you’re not in the mood for something super sugary.
- Agave: Hornitos is made from 100% agave, and adding a hint of agave nectar or agave syrup to your cocktail brings out some of the more subtle notes.
- Orange Juice: Hornitos makes for great brunch cocktails and sangrias, a lot of which have orange juice.
- Grapefruit Juice: The perfect Paloma needs Hornitos and grapefruit juice. They’re a terrific match.
FAQs
Let’s look at some of the more common questions about Hornitos.
Tequila Alternatives to Hornitos Tequila
- Jose Cuervo: Jose Cuervo is just a couple dollars cheaper per bottle than Hornitos. Hornitos generally has a better taste and quality, so we recommend Hornitos.
- 1800: 1800 is very similar in price to Hornitos. They are similar in quality as well, so this one’s up to your personal preference. 1800 may be a little smoother as a sipping tequila, but Hornitos has a lot more variety to choose from.
- Patron: Patron is another enormous tequila brand, and also similar in price to Hornitos. Some people swear by Patron, but we find the quality of Hornitos to be better in almost any situation, whether in a shot or a margarita. If Hornitos is unavailable, Patron is an okay substitute.
- Don Julio: Don Julio is very well regarded, and it should be. It’s incredibly smooth and versatile, and fantastic in any setting. The only downside to Don Julio is that it’s very expensive with prices near $50 a bottle.