Tequila is more than a party starter—it’s culture in a glass. And while Cinco de Mayo often brings out the frozen margarita machines and sticky bar floors, we’re making room for something bolder, smoother, and way more intentional. We’re spotlighting a few standout Black-owned tequila brands that deserve center stage—each with its own story, soul, and pour that’ll upgrade your Cinco celebrations, whether you’re on the dance floor or in fuzzy socks on your couch.
From bold Reposados to refreshing Blancos, here’s your curated guide to the bottles that actually deserve a toast this year.
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Founded by: Erica Jones & Asiaa Karriem
Based in: Atlanta, Georgia
Made in: Jalisco, Mexico
When two best friends from Atlanta set out to create a tequila brand, they didn’t just dip a toe—they dove headfirst into tradition. Erica Jones and Asiaa Karriem launched Reyalibre with a mission to disrupt the spirits space and do it with authenticity, culture, and class. Their tequila is crafted in Jalisco using 100% blue agave and zero additives, keeping it clean, smooth, and rooted in Mexican heritage.
Their passion is personal—Jones’ tequila journey began during an all-girls trip to Cabo, and Karriem envisioned a premium spirits brand that felt inclusive and accessible to Black consumers who are often overlooked in the world of luxury branding. Together, they’re changing the tequila narrative.
What It Tastes Like:
•Blanco: Crisp, clean, and herbal, with citrus notes and a touch of pepper—perfect for sipping neat or building into cocktails.
•Reposado: Aged for complexity, this one brings caramel, vanilla, and a whisper of toasted oak. Silky and subtly sweet.
Awards:
•Gold Medal – SIP Awards (Añejo): Recognized for excellence by one of the most prominent consumer-judged spirits competitions.
Best Served With:
•Blanco: Pairs well with bright, citrusy, and herb-forward dishes. Think light seafood, grilled vegetables, or anything with fresh lime, cilantro, or a touch of spice.
•Reposado: Complements savory, smoky, and slightly sweet flavors. Ideal with slow-cooked meats, roasted dishes, or foods that blend heat with a hint of sweetness like spiced honey or charred corn.
Where to Buy: Available online and in select liquor stores across the U.S., with nationwide shipping through their website.
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Founded by: Nayana Ferguson and Don Ferguson
Based in: Detroit, Michigan
Made in: Jalisco, Mexico
Anteel Tequila isn’t just redefining taste—it’s rewriting what resilience looks like. Co-founded by husband and wife duo Nayana and Don Ferguson, Anteel blends bold flavor with a bold mission. Nayana, the first Black woman in the world to co-own a tequila company, created the brand after surviving both pancreatic and breast cancer. What began as a personal story of strength became a business rooted in legacy, intention, and flavor.
Crafted using both lowland and highland agave, Anteel’s lineup is additive-free and ultra-sippable. The Coconut Lime Blanco? It’s giving vacation energy in every glass. This is the brand for anyone who’s graduated from cheap shots and grown into slow sips with good company.
What It Tastes Like:
• Coconut Lime Blanco: Bright, tropical, and breezy—notes of coconut, lime, and smooth agave
• Reposado & Añejo: Richer options for those who like depth with a silky finish and vanilla warmth
Awards:
• Gold Medal – San Francisco World Spirits Competition: One of the most prestigious and competitive awards in the industry
• Double Gold – SIP Awards: A rare and high honor that signifies top marks across the board from consumer judges
Best Served With:
• Coconut Lime Blanco: Pairs well with tropical, citrus-forward, and slightly spicy flavors. Think fresh, fruity bites with hints of lime, coconut, or chili—anything that tastes like sunshine and salt air.
• Reposado & Añejo: Matches beautifully with rich, savory, and subtly sweet dishes. Best alongside roasted, spiced, or grilled foods with warm spices, earthy heat, or a touch of caramelized depth.
Where to Buy: Available online and at select liquor stores with nationwide shipping through their website.
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Founded by: Rikki Kelly
Based in: Austin, Texas
Made in: Tequila, Jalisco
Ego Tequila brings bold flavor with even bolder energy. Founded by Rikki Kelly, this Latina-and-Black-owned brand is about embracing your confidence and showing up fully—flaws, flair, and all. “Ego” isn’t just a name—it’s a lifestyle, a vibe, and a declaration.
Each expression is handcrafted in small batches from 100% blue agave and balances tradition with innovation. From fresh, citrusy notes to rich, oak-aged depths, Ego is designed for everyone from margarita lovers to neat-sipping connoisseurs.
What It Tastes Like:
• Blanco: Fresh and peppery with a citrus-forward nose and a clean, crisp finish
• Reposado: Buttery caramel, vanilla bean, and oak with a rich, full-bodied mouthfeel
Awards:
• Platinum – SIP Awards: The highest consumer-judged honor for taste and quality
• Women-Owned Business of the Year – Local Recognition: Celebrating impact beyond the bottle
Best Served With:
• Blanco: Pairs well with zesty, spicy, and charred flavors. Great alongside foods with smoky heat, tangy citrus, or bold seasoning that can hold their own next to a bright, peppery sip.
• Reposado: Complements rich, creamy, and slightly sweet flavors. Think dishes with buttery textures, warm spices, or roasted elements that echo its smooth, oak-aged character.
Where to Buy: Available at Total Wine & More, select retailers in Texas and Georgia, and nationwide through their website, ReserveBar, and SipTequila.com.
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Founded by: Tiffany Capri Hainesworth
Based in: Maryland
Made in: Valle de Tequila, Jalisco
When Tiffany Capri Hainesworth launched TCapri Tequila, she didn’t just break into the industry—she made history as the first Black woman to solely own a tequila company. Following a serious car accident, Hainesworth turned pain into purpose and entrepreneurship into a form of healing.
Crafted in small batches from 100% blue agave and double-distilled for clarity and smoothness, TCapri is a bottle of elegance—from its minimalist label to the luxurious, clean finish.
What It Tastes Like:
• Blanco: Floral and citrusy with a silky texture and a crisp, clean finish
• Añejo (Coming Soon): Expect layers of baking spices, honeyed oak, and a smooth, warming depth
Awards:
• Gold – John Barleycorn Awards: Industry-respected recognition for exceptional quality
• Top Black-Owned Spirits Brand – Essence Feature: Celebrated for excellence and innovation in the spirits space
Best Served With:
Blanco: Best with light, citrus-infused, and herbaceous dishes. Ideal for pairings that highlight freshness—think bright flavors, clean textures, and a touch of floral or acidic balance.
Añejo (Coming Soon): Will pair beautifully with warm, spiced, and subtly sweet flavors. Think slow-roasted dishes, earthy ingredients, or foods that feature hints of caramel, smoke, or honey.
Where to Buy: Available online and at select luxury liquor stores in New York, California, Maryland, and D.C., with nationwide shipping via the website.
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Founded by: Megan Thee Stallion
Based in: Houston, Texas
Made in: Jalisco, Mexico
Thee Hot Girl has officially entered the tequila game. Megan Thee Stallion’s debut spirits brand, Chicas Divertidas(Spanish for “Fun Girls”), is unapologetically bold, joy-filled, and ready to take over your bar cart.
Crafted in Jalisco with a focus on smoothness and flavor, this tequila is made for party starters, rule breakers, and everyone in between. It’s giving flavor, freedom, and full-on fun.
What It Tastes Like:
• Blanco: Crisp agave, citrus, and a peppery finish with a refreshing pop
• Flavored Options (Coming Soon): Fruity infusions and playful profiles are rumored to be on the way
Awards:
Too new for the medals—but it’s already winning on vibe
Best Served With:
• Blanco: Perfect alongside bold, spicy, and tangy flavors. Think high-energy snacks and vibrant bites that bring heat, zest, or a little sweetness to match its crisp and peppery edge.
• Flavored Options (Coming Soon): Will likely pair well with fruity, dessert-like, or tropical-inspired dishes—ideal for playful, sweet-meets-sassy flavor combos at any party.
Where to Buy: Available for pre-order and set to drop in limited quantities at select U.S. retailers.
Mocktail Moment: For the Vibey Non-Drinkers
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To our mocktail mavens: Whether you’re living the clean life, embracing your wellness journey, or simply skipping the blurry brunch vibes—we salute you. Low ABV, high flavor, and still worthy of a cheers.
Cane Collective Mixers
This Baltimore-based, Black-owned brand is shaking up the mixer game with fresh, handcrafted blends that bring cocktail bar quality to your kitchen. Cane Collective mixers are designed to pair beautifully with your favorite spirits—or stand strong on their own for mocktails with serious flavor.
Try With:
• Passionfruit Jalapeño Mixer + sparkling water + fresh lime = Spicy Sparkler
• Guava Tiki Punch + sparkling water + lime juice + mint leaves = Tropical Mule Vibes
A Toast to Taste, Culture, and Community
Cinco de Mayo is more than a happy hour excuse—it’s an opportunity to celebrate culture and craftsmanship with intention. And these Black-owned tequila brands are bottling more than just alcohol—they’re distilling legacies, stories, and a whole lot of flavor.
So whether you’re clinking glasses with friends or raising one to yourself (we love a solo toast), here’s your reminder to sip slow, support intentionally, and always drink something that respects the craft.
Cheers to elevated spirits and even better stories.
Author: Paige Andrade
Black Restaurant Week Marketing Team
