The Mystery of the History of the Margarita
Several claim to be the inventor of the margarita. You choose which one you think is true!
Every February 22nd is National Margarita Day! Shaken, stirred, rocks, up, frozen, salt, no salt, flavored, or traditional… it doesn’t matter. We agree that the margarita deserves its own holiday.
Did you know that the history of the margarita is a mysterious one? Several claim to be the inventor of the margarita. Here are a few of the top margarita tales. You choose which one you want to think is true!
A socialite and a two-week party - 1948
The most popular tale of the original margarita starts with a socialite, Margaret ‘Margarita’ Sames. She was looking for a cocktail to break the heat for her party while on vacation in Acapulco. She mixed together tequila, Cointreau and lime juice. One of her guests was Tommy Hilton who added the delicious drink to his hotel chain menus. The legends says the party went on for two straight weeks… we bet THAT was a good time!
An allergy and a showgirl - 1938
Another popular story is from Carlos ‘Danny’ Herrera who claims he invented the cocktail at his restaurant, Rancho La Gloria in Tijuana, in 1938. A showgirl, named Marjorie King, came into to his restaurant and claimed to be allergic to all hard alcohol except tequila. She didn’t like drinking it straight and asked Danny to make her something tequila based. To appease his fussy client, he incorporated the ingredients of a tequila shot (salt and lime) and turned it into a refreshing drink.
A simple matter of translation - 1939
Or perhaps the name margarita was just given to an already existing drink. During the early 20th century, a drink call The Daisy was all the rage. The daisy could be based on any liquor. The other components were something sour, something sweet, and soda water. The spanish word for ‘daisy’? You guessed it… ‘margarita’.
No matter who invented this perfect cocktail, we think it should be celebrated!
Here are a few suggestions for how you can raise a glass to National Margarita Day!
Margarita Recipes
Mango-Melon Margarita
Ingredients:
4 oz Patrón Citrónge Mango
8 oz Patrón Silver
12 oz Cantaloupe juice*
Perfect Margarita
1 Part Triple Sec
2 Parts Sauza® Silver Tequila
2 Parts Lime Juice
0.5 Part Agave Nectar
Lisa's Pomegranate Margarita
1.5 oz 1800 Tequila
0.75 oz Pomegranate Liqueur
0.75 oz Grand Marnier
Cucumber Margarita
Ingredients:
2 oz Hornitos Plata
1 oz Lime Juice
0.25 oz Agave Nectar
2 Cucumber Slices
Casamigos Margarita Light
1.5 oz Casamigos Blanco
1 oz Lime Juice
0.5 oz Agave Nectar
Patron Honey-Ginger Margarita
Ingredients:
2 oz Patrón Silver
1 oz Honey syrup*
.75 oz Fresh lime juice
3 Ginger coins
Spiced Strawberry Margarita
1 oz Cointreau
2 oz Tequila
1 oz Lime Juice
2 Strawberries
3 Dashes Angostura® Bitters
Perfect Patron Margarita
Ingredients:
1.5 oz Patrón Reposado
1 oz Patrón Citrónge Orange
.75 oz Fresh lime juice
The Maine Spirits App
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