The tequila category has been on a powerful upward trajectory over the past decade. But in today’s market, it’s flavoured tequilas that are capturing the imagination of younger, flavour-curious consumers. The shift is clear: today’s drinkers want spirits that are premium yet approachable, rooted in culture yet open to fun, flavourful experimentation. According to Fortune Business Insights, the global tequila market, valued at US$ 9.89 billion in 2022, is projected to reach US$ 15.57 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 5.89%. Other industry analyses show an even faster trajectory: recent reports estimate the market will grow from $14.13 billion in 2024 to $15.83 billion in 2025, with long-term forecasts suggesting tequila could surpass $24 billion by 2029, reflecting an annual growth rate of 9–12%. This boom is largely fuelled by curious drinkers—particularly Millennials and Gen Z—who are embracing tequila’s dynamic identity, from heritage-driven blancos to modern, flavour-infused expressions.

Flavoured tequilas, in particular, play to these preferences. They offer an accessible entry point for new consumers while giving seasoned tequila lovers a fresh way to experience agave. Unlike many mass-produced flavoured spirits, today’s craft producers are approaching infusions with a culinary mindset—prioritising natural flavour, balance, and authenticity over sweetness. This is especially evident in brands rooted in family traditions and artisanal practices, which resonate strongly as consumers increasingly look for transparency and real stories behind the bottle. Within this landscape, mango-flavoured tequila has carved out its own space, and Red Cadillac’s chef-crafted expression represents the very best of where the category is heading.

Created by the Montes sisters, Jolie and Paris, Red Cadillac’s mango tequila is the result of a multi-generational journey, one that begins not in Jalisco, but in the mountains of Galicia, Spain. Their grandfather’s century-old recipe for Licór Café, a traditional aguardiente infused with espresso, provided the spark that would eventually inspire the restaurant’s first infused tequila shots. These recipes were carried forward by chef Joe Montes, whose imaginative approach at the family’s New Jersey restaurant, Red Cadillac, created what would one day become the brand’s signature flavour profile. Red Cadillac’s mango tequila was perfected through what the family affectionately calls the “100B road trip”, a five-year process of tasting, refining, and working directly with producers in Jalisco, the heart of tequila country. The final expression earned its nickname because it took exactly 100 shots to master the ideal balance of aroma, body, and taste. The result is a spirit that is smooth, sultry, and boldly mango-forward, with a natural richness and subtle caramel undertone that elevates it above the typical flavoured tequila.

Part of what defines this new wave of flavoured tequila is the emphasis on craftsmanship over gimmick. Consumers aren’t only looking for flavour—they’re looking for quality, for family-run operations, and for brands that feel personal rather than manufactured. Red Cadillac delivers this through every layer of its production. The tequila is sourced from Casa Maestri, one of Mexico’s most awarded distilleries, known for three generations of agave expertise. It is then blended with mango and bottled locally in New Jersey, with its striking “license plate” label. Even the infusion process taps into regional expertise through a partnership with Laird’s Applejack, America’s oldest distiller, bringing centuries of infusion knowledge to the final product.

This level of intentionality speaks directly to evolving consumer expectations. As noted by DISCUS, tequila volumes in the U.S. have increased 294% since 2003, growing at an average of 7.1% per year—and much of this momentum comes from younger consumers who prioritise discovery, mixability, and flavour exploration. Flavoured tequilas like Red Cadillac’s mango expression offer all three: a spirit easy enough to sip neat or on ice, yet bold and bright enough to transform cocktails without requiring syrups, sodas, or even citrus.

As flavoured tequilas continue to gain traction, the brands rooted in real heritage and culinary respect are the ones set to thrive. Red Cadillac’s mango tequila is more than an on-trend expression. It is a handcrafted, culturally woven, family-driven spirit that reflects exactly what today’s drinkers want: flavour with integrity. For trade buyers, retailers, and on-premise programs looking to tap into this growing category, it represents an opportunity to offer a flavoured tequila that stands up to modern consumer expectations.