Blogs & Inspiration
The History Of The Margarita Cocktail
The classic Margarita has consistently been one of the most popular cocktails in the world. But it’s one of those drinks that you need to know the story behind it, so read on to find out and to discover how to make it properly.
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
The creation of the Margarita is often attributed to some crafty marketing moves from industry folk, specifically tequila manufacturers, around the 1940s.
In truth, 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 1930s and early 1950s.
Whilst there are plenty of tales around the origins of our agave-citric sipper, we’ve handpicked a few of our favourites to share with guests the next time you’re serving up some salted rims.
MARGARITA STORIES FOR YOUR GUESTS
Most cocktail stories that claim to shed light on the drink's creation are centered around a devoted bartender crafting a highly personalised 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.
Margaret Sames
Another often told tale 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 then quickly introduced the cocktail to wider society.
However, what’s more likely, according to cocktail historian David Wondrich, is that the drink was an evolution of the widely popular Daisy cocktails (a family of cocktails consisting of a base spirit, curacao and citrus, such as the Sidecar), enjoyed in the 1930s. Margarita is Spanish for ‘daisy’ and this was a nod to the Tequila-based Daisy that’s been enjoyed for around 100 years.
MARGARITA COCKTAIL RECIPES
The Margarita blueprint is a classic for a reason. It combines bright citrus notes with sweet agave flavours, accentuated by the optional inclusion of salt … it just works. To experiment with the classic recipe, try using aged Tequilas to add complimentary complexity and subtle notes of oak and vanilla.
THE CLASSIC MARGARITA
To determine changes and nuances in our riffs, let’s start by looking at the original. Watch the video below for a guide on creating this classic serve.
THE SPICY MARGARITA
Adding a little heat can balance a drink beautifully and a Margarita is a perfect example. Check out this Spicy Margarita recipe to achieve just that.
THE MARGARITA REPOSADO
Swapping the Blanco for Don Julio Reposado will introduce some softer vanilla notes and spice from the barrels to your Margarita Reposado, stepping back from the sharp acidity of the original to deliver a more autumnal cocktail that’s equal parts bold and smooth.
Key Takeaways
- The classic Margarita has consistently been one of the most popular cocktails in the world.
- The Margarita is most likely to be a product of the US/Mexico border region.
- It is believed to have been created between the 1930s and early 1950s.
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