5 Tequila Trends to Look Out For in 2026, From Lawsuits to Unusual Yeasts

Tequila, the quintessentially Mexican spirit, has firmly cemented itself in the hearts of American consumers.

Amid a whirlwind of declining consumption and trade tensions, it’s one of the only liquor categories projected for continued growth in years to come. Growth, however, usually isn’t built on past successes, especially for a spirit that was virtually unknown to many consumers prior to the turn of the century. The future of tequila will be built on innovation, risky gambles and — let’s face it — a boatload of gimmicks that probably won’t pan out.

So what can consumers expect from the fast-changing tequila landscape in 2026?

We published a similar roundup earlier this year, in which we identified the death (and rebirth) of additive-free tequila, the rise of uncertified distillates, single-estate brands, non-Mexican distillers and NA alternatives as the prevailing trends of 2025. In hindsight, we’d say that all turned out to be true in some form or another. In addition to the above, here are five new trends that we expect to redefine the market over the next few months.