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THE STORY OF THE MARGARITA

The classic Margarita has been one of the most popular cocktails in the world, remaining in the number one spot of the world’s most ordered cocktail. There are many variations, but this is a cocktail you need to have on your menu, accompanied with a story. Read now to discover the origin of the Margarita cocktail, and tasty recipes to add to your menu, including the spicy Margarita that everyone is loving!

Like it’s frosty cousin, the Moscow Mule, the creation of the Margarita is often attributed to some crafty marketing moves from industry folk, specifically tequila manufacturers, around the 1940s.

In truth though, we’ll never really know where it originated. The provenance of this drink can never be truly verified – but it’s likely it was a product of the US/ Mexico border regions between the 1930’s and early 1950’s. If you’ve ever been to Texas or Northern Mexico, you’ll appreciate how it appears suited to be the birthplace of a cocktail like the Margarita.

Whilst there’s plenty of tall tales around the origins of our agave-citric sipper, we’ve handpicked the a few of our favorites to share with guests the next time you’re serving up some salted rims.

Margarita Cocktail Story To Tell Your Guests

Most stories that claim to shed light on the cocktail’s creation are centered around a devoted bartender crafting a highly personal drink for an individual who was fussy, or allergic, to what was already on offer.

One story goes that bartender Danny Negrete crafted the drink as a wedding gift in 1936. Danny and his brother, David, opened a bar at the Garci Crispo hotel in Puebla, Mexico, and the recipe (calling for triple sec, fresh lime juice and tequila Blanco over crushed ice) was dreamt up for his soon to be sister-in-law, Margarita.

Another tale that gets shared a lot is the one about Margaret Sames, a socialite from Dallas who claims to have concocted the classic at one of her house parties in Acapulco in 1948. Apparently, the guest roster was filled with influential ‘hotel and restaurant people’ who quickly introduced wider society to the cocktail.

However, what’s more likely, according to cocktail historian David Wondrich, is that the drink was an evolution of the widely popular Daisy cocktails that were enjoyed in the 1930s. (Daisies are a family of cocktails made up of a base spirit, curacao and citrus, such as the Sidecar) Margarita is incidentally Spanish for ‘daisy’ and this was a nod to the tequila-based daisy that’s been enjoyed for around 100 years.

How is a Classic Margarita Made?

This well-loved cocktail typically consists of tequila, orange liqueur and lime juice and is served with salt on the rim of the glass. It is often served in a Champagne coupe or Martini glass, but a Rocks glass is a classic choice that makes it easy to salt the rim.

SPICY MARGARITA RECIPE

Adding a spicy twist to the classics packs a little heat that beautifully balances the sweet and smoky flavors, creating a delicious drink your guests. A variation of the classic Margarita cocktail that is growing in popularity is the Spicy Margarita cocktail “Spicy Marg”. Add traditional Mexican flavor to the rich taste of Don Julio Añejo Tequila, for a whole new way to experience the Margarita.

INGREDIENTS

(Alcohol content: 0.9 fl. oz. per serve)

METHOD

MARGARITA RECIPES

The Margarita blueprint is a classic for a reason: it combines bright citrus notes with sweet agave flavors, accentuated by the optional inclusion of salt – it just works. But what happens when we swap out our tequila for a different base spirit?

THE CLASSIC

To determine changes and nuances in our riffs, let’s start with the original.

RECIPE

METHOD

(Alcohol content: 0.9 fl. oz. per serve)

MARGARITA REPOSADO

Like many classics, the best recipe (and base spirit) is quite subjective and open to interpretation. Blanco tequila has been the star of the show for many years for the fresh agave character it brings to the drink (arguably, rightly so) but using other types of tequila – or even spirit – can explore the DNA of the Margarita to reveal complexities and new depths.

Swapping the Blanco for Don Julio Reposado will introduce some softer vanilla notes and spice from the barrels to your Margarita, stepping back from the sharp acidity of the original to deliver a more autumnal cocktail that’s equal parts bold and smooth.

INGREDIENTS

METHOD

(Alcohol content: 0.8 fl. oz. per serve)