When you think about sitting on the beach what cocktail comes to mind? The margarita of course! and with good reason. It’s sweet, tangy, and has the power to guarantee you an unforgettable day or night.
The margarita cocktail is perfect for a day by the pool or hot summer dance party. Below is our recipe for the perfect classic margarita. But first, a little history.
What is a Margarita?
A margarita is a cocktail made with tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice. It’s often served with a salted rim. The cocktail can be shaken (on the rocks), blended (frozen margarita), or served without ice (straight up). The drink is generally served in a margarita glass, a stepped-diameter variation of a cocktail glass or champagne coupe.
History of the Margarita cocktail
It is hard to determine with certainty who actually invented the margarita. There are numerous tales about how the drink was invented, each one different from the rest.
According to one legend, the drink was created in 1938 by Mexican restaurant owner Carlos (Danny) Herrera for Marjorie King, a star of the Ziegfeld Follies. It was said that King only drank tequila, so he was given lime juice and salt by Herrera.
Others say that Margaret Sames (also known as Margarita) created the cocktail at a party in Mexico in 1948.
And yet another story claimed the name may have been inspired by the 1940s star Rita Hayworth (whose real name was Margarita Casino), who performed in Tijuana.
In the cocktail book Imbibe, David Wondrich writes that the margarita first appeared during the above time period. The drink, he argues, originated from the Daisy, a classic mixed drink that consisted of liquor, citrus juice, and grenadine and was served over shaved ice.
the blender did make frozen margaritas popular, it was not until 1971 that the first frozen margarita machine was created. Fun fact. The original frozen margarita machine is on display at the Smithsonian museum!
What Glass is Margarita Served In?
The Margarita is typically served in a margarita glass or an old-fashioned glass. If you don’t own the right glassware for this cocktail, consider some of the options below.
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What are the best spirits and Ingredients for a Margarita?
Any Blanco Tequila (Clear Tequila) should work as the base spirit for your Margarita. I (and all of Youtube) would recommend Espolon for a great mixing tequila that doesn’t break the bank. If you can, try to find El Tesoro Blanco Tequila, if you want to follow in the footsteps of professionals like Dale Degroff.
As for which orange liqueur to use, there are really only two options in my mind that are suitable. Either Gionelli triple sec liqueur if you plan on getting absolutely hammered with your loved ones, or Cointreau for the taste and appreciation of each margarita. And as always, use fresh limes for your lime juice. either Gionelli triple sec liqueur
Variations of Margarita cocktail
A popular variation of the margarita is the Tommy’s Margarita, which many bartenders believe is the best version of the drink. Julio Bermejo, the owner of San Francisco’s famous Tommy’s Mexican Restaurant, is responsible for this modern classic, which replaces traditional orange liqueur with agave nectar.
How to Make a Margarita
Below are the ingredients and directions for a Margarita cocktail. We hope you love this drink as much as we do.
Margarita
Cuisine: Tiki CocktailDifficulty: Easy ????1
servings300
kcal2
minutesIngredients
1.5 Ounces El Tesoro Blanco Tequila
.75 Ounces Lime Juice
1 Ounces Cointreau
Directions
- Frost half the rim of an old-fashioned or a cocktail glass with lime and salt. Chill the cocktail glass if using.
- Shake ingredients in a shaker with ice.
- Serve over ice in the old-fashioned or “up” in the chilled glass.
Recipe Video
Conclusion
So what do you think of the Margarita cocktail? Love it? Hate it? What would you rate it? Let us know in the comments below.
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