Today we celebrate the classic cocktail that’s a fiesta in a glass – the much revered margarita! When tequila, triple sec, and lemon or lime juice come together, everybody wins. Want yours straight up? Fantastic. On the rocks? No problem. How about frozen? That works too. Salt on the rim? Your call. Hey, how about an inverted bottle of Corona pouring in as you drink? The margarita lends itself to creativity and customization, and who doesn’t love that these days?
So, happy National Margarita Day!
As with any true legend, there are multiple origin stories and you’ll have to decide which you believe. Some say the margarita was invented in 1938 at the Rancho La Gloria restaurant in Tijuana. There’s also the story that it was conceived in 1941 in Ensenada, Mexico at Hussong's Cantina. Maybe the margarita was created in 1942 at Tommy’s Place Bar, located in the El Paso-Juárez area. Then again, it could have had its start in 1948 by a Dallas socialite at her vacation home in Acapulco during a party attended by Tommy Hilton (yes, of Hilton Hotels). Or was it invented that same year at the Balinese Room, a Galveston, Texas nightclub? What if the first ever margarita showed up at a party in Houston, Texas when a bartender started experimenting?
But what if this classic is actually a variation of a popular Prohibition drink called the Brandy Daisy? It’s possible the brandy was swapped out for tequila. It’s believed that the Sidecar is a riff on the Brandy Daisy so it’s possible that the margarita was created the same way. If so, the Brandy Daisy may deserve its own holiday!
Here are 6 recipes that are sure to please your guests.
Cheers!
The Avión Blood Orange Margarita is made with Tequila Avión, Cointreau and blood orange juice.
Ancho Reyes and Montelobos Mezcal team up with Tequila Avión for the Smoke and Fire Margarita.
Tequila Avión and pomegranate juice combine to create the Flying Pomegranate Margarita.
The Kiwi Margarita features fresh kiwi and Tequila Avión Añejo.
Chipotle powder, unsweetened cocoa powder and Tequila Avión Añejo are the stars of the Chipotle Cocoa Margarita.
The Brandy Daisy is a simple Prohibition Era recipe that may have been the precursor to the margarita.