I don't have a single idea what tequila brands do you have in the US, but the best tequila at a reasonable price is Don Julio, and maybe Tradicional.
Ways to drink it? I really prefer shots, either taking them slowly or fast (beware this, you get drunk pretty fast😀). In Mexico we have what we call the mexican flag.
You prepare three shots, one with lime, other one with tequila, and one with sangrita. So this from a green, white (kind of white), and red. Which is the mexican flag colors.
Then you drink it like this: give the lime shot a sip, then the tequila (all of it, and fast🙂), and then the sangrita.
Why lime and sangrita? The lime helps you enjoy the tequila, I don't know why, but it helps. And the sangrita makes the tequila flavor in your mouth disappear, so you are good to go for another tequila shot.😀