Cocktail History: The Origin of the Margarita

Margaritas are a distinct cocktail that features tequila as the main liquor. The margarita belongs to the sour cocktail family and is a simple three-part beverage including tequila, lime juice, and liqueur. This cocktail is a tasty blend of sweet, salty, and bitter.

The History of the Margarita

The margarita, meaning ‘daisy’ in Spanish, likely got its start in the 1940s as a byproduct of tequila manufacturers looking for a way to market their product. With its first printed appearance in a 1953 edition of Esquire, the margarita has plenty of origin tales. Two popular tales are that a bartender named Danny Negrete created the margarita as a wedding gift and that Carlos Herrera created it as a way to suit the tastes of a picky patron.

Beyond these possible origins is another likely story. The margarita could simply be a spin-off of the daisy cocktail which is a basic sour cocktail. But no matter how this cocktail came it be, it remains to be a wildly popular classic cocktail.

Variations of the Margarita

The International Bartenders Association (IBA) considers the standard ratio for margaritas as being 10:4:3 with tequila, triple sec, and fresh lime juice respectively. However, there are many ways to shake up the margarita making it a versatile drink with options for everyone.

Common margarita variations are fruity sodas as triple sec substitutes and using flavored liqueurs or tequila. The types of margaritas you’ll likely see at any restaurant or bar include a spicy margarita, smoky margarita, strawberry margarita, and watermelon margarita. Spicy margaritas most often feature jalapenos while the smoky margarita will most likely substitute a smokey mezcal for the traditional tequila.

While margaritas are traditionally served on the rocks but they are also sometimes served without ice and with sugar rims.

Margaritas and Christner’s

Our skilled bartenders are happy to make you a margarita featuring our custom tequila, Maestro Doble. This tequila is double filtered and has a crystal clear smoothness. Maestro Dobel Diamante is made with 100% pure agave and has a complex sweet flavor with hints of nut, vanilla, honey, maple, and caramel with a touch of smokiness.

Book a reservation at our Orlando location and enjoy a refreshing margarita paired with one of our tasty main dishes.

For informational purposes only.