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margarita cocktail

Margarita

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Why has the Margarita become one of the most popular cocktails in the world? This delightful concoction, a perfect blend of tequila, lime, and triple sec, carries with it a fascinating history that adds to its allure. Let’s take a journey through time and uncover the origins and evolution of the Margarita.

The Birth of the Margarita can be found in multiple competing stories.

One story dates back to the late 1930s in Mexico. It is said that a socialite named Margarita Sames created the drink at her Acapulco home for her friends. Her friend Tommy Hilton (of the Hilton hotels fame) was so impressed with the cocktail that he added it to the bar menu of his hotel chain, thus popularizing the drink.

Next, the Margarita may have been derived from the daisy cocktail, a popular sour cocktail in the 1930s and 1940s. The name “margarita” may come from the Spanish translation of “daisy”.

Another story claims that a bartender named Danny Negrete in Puebla, Mexico, created the drink in 1936 as a wedding gift for his sister-in-law, Margarita. The recipe called for triple sec, fresh lime juice, and Tequila Blanco over crushed ice.

And yet another story claims that the Margarita was invented in 1941 by bartender Don Carlos Orozco at the Hussong’s Cantina in Ensenada, Mexico. According to this tale, Don Carlos created the cocktail for Margarita Henkel, the daughter of a German ambassador, who was the first person to taste it.

Regardless of its exact birthplace, the Margarita quickly made its way north of the border. By the 1950s, it had become a favorite in Southern California. Hollywood stars, in particular, played a significant role in its rise to fame. The cocktail was a hit at glamorous parties and featured in numerous movies, cementing its status as a symbol of elegance and leisure.

The classic margarita recipe is simple, yet perfectly balanced. Here’s how to make it:

  • Rim the edge of a margarita glass with a lime wedge and dip it in salt.
  • In a shaker filled with ice, combine 2 oz tequila, 1 oz lime juice, and 1 oz triple sec.
  • Shake well and strain the mixture into the prepared glass.
  • Garnish with a lime wedge.

Variations

Over the years, the margarita has inspired countless variations. Some of the most popular include:

  • Frozen Margarita: Blend the ingredients with ice to create a slushy version, perfect for hot days.
  • Fruit Margarita: Add fresh fruits like strawberries, mangoes, or peaches to the mix for a fruity twist.
  • Spicy Margarita: Infuse the cocktail with jalapeños or other hot peppers for a kick of heat.

The margarita’s enduring popularity can be attributed to its versatility and refreshing flavor. Whether enjoyed on a sunny beach or at a chic urban bar, the margarita continues to be a favorite choice for cocktail lovers around the world.

JLP Tequila

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jlp anejo tequila

A new brand of tequila has made an appearance in Albuquerque liquor stores: JLP Tequila. Named for the former governor of the Villa of Tequila, Jesus Lopez Portillo Y Galindo, JLP is a mid-range tequila will run you about $20-30, and it’s made from 100% agave. I tried all 3 of the varieties: Blanco (unaged), Reposado (aged 6 months), and Añejo (aged 12 months), and I’m pretty impressed.  While it has been widely available in California, JLP is new to New Mexico.

First, an explanation about the two types of tequila manufacture. Tequila is distilled from agave, just like some whiskey is distilled from corn, but there are 2 different ways of processing it from there: 100% agave or mixto.  100% agave is the most pure type, with no added ingredients. A mixto uses at least 51% agave, then sugars are used to make up the remainder of the mixture. This would expain why 100% agave tequilas start at $20, but a bottle of Jose Cuervo is $13.  It’s a mixto.

The older a tequila is, the less appropriate it is for cocktails, so I made a margarita with the JLP Blanco  and found that it made an outstanding margarita, one of the best I’ve ever had. It’s a very smooth tequila and the muggyness that tequila is famous for is a bit more subtle.

Tasting it in a glass by itself, the JLP Añejo is very smooth, highlighted by an outstanding peppery/chili finish. The middle child, JLP Reposado, is a fine tequila for a Tequila Old Fashioned:

Tequila Old Fashioned

  • in an old fashioned glass, add:
    • 1 tsp of raw sugar
    • 3 dashes of orange bitters
    • 2 oz of JLP Reposado Tequila
  • fill with ice and stir well
  • garnish with a lime wedge

 

Mango-Ice Margaritas

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mango ice margaritas

This recipe is a minor variation on the margarita for the summertime.  First, puree mangoes with a bit of water and freeze the results in ice trays overnight.  Using the “mango ice” instead of regular ice, build your margarita.

Mango Ice Margarita

  • 1 1/2 oz of tequila
  • 1 oz lime juice
  • 1 oz triple sec
  • on the mango rocks in a salt-rimmed glass
  • no garnish (it distracts from the cool yellow cubes)

Now, recently, I’ve begun doing something to my margaritas that people say has made them even better.  I add 1-2 ox of club soda/seltzer water on top and give it a stir.  It mellows out the pungent nature of tequila and makes a more refreshing drink anyway, and in this one, it helps break down the mango cubes.  You’ll want to let this one sit at the table before your guests start sipping so that the mango can get all sloshy in there.  The mango flavor will be subtle, and not overpowering.

Viola:

mango ice margaritas

Absolutely Perfect Margarita

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margarita

Here’s the recipe:

  • 1 1/2 oz of tequila
  • 1 oz lime juice
  • 1 oz triple sec
  • on the rocks in a salt-rimmed glass
  • lime wedge garnish

So how’s that “perfect?”  The ingredient list is simple, but like I say in the book, quality is the key with all cocktails, so here’s what I used:

Lime juice must be fresh-squeezed.  I used course Himalayan Pink salt to rim the glass because it tastes really good and looks unique.  (Insert joke about manliness here)

hornitos reposado

I used Hornitos Reposado Tequila. A simple lesson in tequila types: blanco tequilas are unaged and so they’re the most pungent.  Reposado tequilas are aged 2-12 months to they are smoother, and anejo tequilas are aged from 1 to 3 years, so they’re smooth, the tequila equivalent to scotch.  Make sure it’s 100% agave tequila – that’s the only kind to use.

Hornitos Reposado is the best tequila I’ve tried so far, compared to Trader Joe’s brand 100% agave and 1800 Blanco.  It’s the smoothest and has the best flavor.

3 ingredients will help you make an absolutely perfect Margarita.  Simple!