Margarita

The Margarita, Tequila’s Most Famous Cocktail

If there’s a Tequila cocktail more illustrious than the Margarita, we don’t know what it is. Margaritas are timeless classics, they’re festive, boozy, colorful and crowd-pleasing. 

Margaritas even have their own stemware, the Margarita or ‘sombrero’ glass, and with their lovely salt-crusted rim and their lime garnish, they’re just easy to love. 

But what are Margaritas all about? Where do they come from, what are their main ingredients and how to make your own? Here’s all you wanted to know about the Margarita, Tequila’s most famous cocktail. It all starts with a little history.

The History of the Margarita

No one knows precisely where and when the Margarita came to be, but several convincing theories exist.

Legend says it was bartender Carlos “Danny” Herrera in 1938 who created the drink at his Tijuana restaurant Rancho La Gloria in honor of a distinguished guest, the dancing actress Marjorie King.

Other theory point to Dallas socialite Margarita Sames. Some experts suggest she created the drink in 1948 to entertain her guests in her beach house in Acapulco, including the businessman Tommy Hilton, who eventually offered the cocktail in the Hilton hotels.

What we do know is that by 1945, the drink was well known and had become Mexico’s flagship drink. The blended frozen Margarita was created in 1971 in Dallas by restauranteur Mariano Martinez, as he experimented with a Slurpee machine. Since then, the Margarita has changed and evolved, but it’s always based on its most important ingredients. 

The Ingredients 

There’s no Margarita without Tequila. The agave spirit is obtained by harvesting blue agave cacti for their sweet sap. The agave’s core is then baked to release all that fermentable sugar that eventually becomes a distilled spirit that’s often aged in barrels for added complexity.

Of course, Margaritas are more than Tequila. A sweet and fragrant orange liqueur complements the fiery Tequila for extra sweetness, while a splash of lime juice adds a contrasting tanginess that makes the drink irresistible. It comes without saying no Margarita is complete until you add a salted rim.

With only three main ingredients, you end up with an enticing cocktail that’s just thirst-quenching and tasty — tangy and sweet, and with enough alcoholic strength to start an authentic fiesta!

Although for many, nothing beats an original Margarita, there are now many variations and versions. At the end of the day, cocktail making is all about experimentation and creativity.

Variations and Similar Cocktails 

Perhaps the most popular margarita variation is the frozen Margarita. This one is blended instead of being shaken. The result is an airy and frothy iced drink that’s just perfect for summer. 

While blending, bartenders can then add many new ingredients to change the Margarita’s flavor profile. That’s how the strawberry and mango margaritas are created, with a splash of fruit concentrated or frozen fruit.

Another common Margarita variation uses another type of agave spirit: Mezcal. The smokier version of Tequila, and a much more artisanal product, delivers lovely Margaritas, and you’ll often find them flavored with tamarind pulp. The salted rim might be swapped for a powder chili pepper rim for added heat.

The sky’s the limit for margaritas, you just can’t get them wrong, and any tasty ingredient goes. What’s the craziest Margarita you’ve tried?

Classic Margarita Recipe

Now that you know all about Mexico’s signature drink, why not make your own? Margaritas are quite easy to put together, and they’re fun to make too, there’s lots of shaking involved. Hone your cocktail-making skills and become a Margarita making master. Here’s a classic recipe to try at home.

What you’ll need:

– A cocktail shaker, either a 3-piece shaker or a Boston 2-piece shaker.

– A jigger to measure your ingredients.

– Margarita glasses. Alternatively, you can use martini glasses or lowball glasses.

Ingredients:

– 2 oz Tequila

– 1 oz Orange Liqueur

– 1 oz freshly squeezed lime juice

– 1/2 oz simple syrup

– Salt as needed

– Ice

Directions:

1. Add salt on a saucer, moisten your glassware rim with lime, and dip the glass to create a salted crust. 

2. Fill your glasses with fresh ice.

3. Fill your shaker with ice and add your Tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, simple syrup.

4. Shake for fifteen seconds or until the shaker is frosty.

5. Strain the cocktail into your salt-crusted glassware and garnish with a lime wedge. Enjoy!

Margaritas Are Just Fun

Once you get your Margarita ingredients, making them is fast and easy. They’re a great way of entertaining your guests. Margaritas add a festive spirit to any reunion, and they’re paired best with Mexican food, so make the most out of them!

The Margarita is, without a doubt, one of the most cherished cocktails around. It’s number 7 in the world’s most fashionable drink ranking and going up. We all have a special place in our hearts for the Tequila drink, so why not make some Margaritas this weekend?