The Margarita's Origins and Beloved Recipes

Elevate your event with a professional bartender and indulge in the delightful concoction of the Margarita. Discover the origins, beloved recipes, and try the famous Tommy's Margaritas. Spice it up...

Lr

5/2/20243 min read

Spicy Margarita photo taken by Matthew at Bourne & Hollingsworth Buildings EC1R 0HU
Spicy Margarita photo taken by Matthew at Bourne & Hollingsworth Buildings EC1R 0HU

The history of the Margarita cocktail is shrouded in mystery and multiple origin stories. While the exact origins are debated, several theories exist regarding how this iconic cocktail came to be:

  1. The Daisy Theory: One popular theory suggests that the Margarita evolved from a cocktail known as the "Daisy." In Spanish, "Margarita" translates to "daisy." The Daisy cocktail typically consisted of a base spirit, citrus juice, and a sweetener. It's believed that the Margarita may have emerged as a variation of the Daisy, with tequila as the base spirit.

  2. The "Peggy Lee" Theory: According to this theory, the Margarita was created in 1948 by bartender Santos Cruz at the Balinese Room in Galveston, Texas. The story goes that a wealthy socialite named Margaret "Margarita" Sames visited the bar and requested a unique cocktail. Cruz allegedly mixed tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice to create the drink, which he named after Margaret.

  3. The "Carlos "Danny" Herrera" Theory: Another popular origin story attributes the creation of the Margarita to Carlos "Danny" Herrera, a bartender at Rancho La Gloria in Tijuana, Mexico. Legend has it that in 1938, a customer named Marjorie King requested a tequila-based cocktail but found the straight tequila too harsh. Herrera supposedly improvised by combining tequila, lime juice, and Cointreau, creating the first Margarita.

  4. The "Daisy Club" Theory: Some sources suggest that the Margarita originated at the Tail O' the Cock restaurant in Los Angeles in the 1930s. It's believed that the cocktail was created for actress Marjorie King, who was allergic to all spirits except tequila. The drink was named after her, as "Margarita" is a common Spanish name.

Regardless of its exact origins, the Margarita gained popularity throughout the mid-20th century and became one of the most beloved and iconic cocktails worldwide. Its refreshing blend of tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur, served in a salt-rimmed glass, continues to be a favorite choice for cocktail enthusiasts around the globe.

Our favourite recipes ..

The original Margarita recipe typically consists of the following ingredients:

  • 35ml tequila

  • 25ml lime juice, freshly squeezed

  • 15ml Triple sec or Cointreau

  • Salt for rimming the glass (optional)

Instructions:

  1. If desired, rim the glass with salt: Moisten the rim of a margarita glass with a lime wedge, then dip it into a plate of salt to coat the rim.

  2. Fill the glass with ice cubes to chill.

  3. In a shaker, combine the tequila, lime juice, and triple sec.

  4. Add ice to the shaker and shake vigorously for about 15-20 seconds to chill the mixture.

  5. Discard the ice from the glass, double strain the mixture into the prepared margarita glass

  6. Optionally, garnish with a lime wedge or wheel.

  7. Serve and enjoy responsibly!

This classic Margarita recipe provides a perfect balance of tartness from the lime juice, sweetness from the triple sec, and the distinctive flavor of tequila, resulting in a refreshing and timeless cocktail. Feel free to adjust the proportions according to your personal taste preferences. Cheers!

The Tommy's Margarita is a simplified version of the classic Margarita, featuring just three main ingredients: tequila, lime juice, and agave syrup. Originally made by Julio Bermejo at Tommy's Restaurant ,San Francisco

Ingredients:

  • 50 ml tequila (100% agave)

  • 25 ml lime juice, freshly squeezed

  • 12.5 ml agave syrup (or to taste)

Instructions:

  1. Fill a shaker with ice cubes.

  2. Add the tequila, freshly squeezed lime juice, and agave syrup to the shaker.

  3. Shake vigorously for about 15-20 seconds to chill the mixture and thoroughly combine the ingredients.

  4. Strain the mixture into a rocks glass with fresh ice.

  5. Add a lime wedge

Here's a recipe for a Spicy Margarita that adds a kick of heat to the classic cocktail, using Ancho Reyes for the chilli kick , Ancho Reyes Verde is a green chilli liqueur made by macerating green chillies for 6 months .

Ingredients:

  • 40ml tequila

  • 25ml lime juice, freshly squeezed

  • 5ml agave syrup (adjust to taste)

  • 12.5ml Ancho Reyes Verde

  • Ice cubes

  • Salt and Tajin Classico for rimming the glass (optional)

  • Lime wedge for garnish

Instructions:

  1. If desired, rim the glass with a mixture of salt and Tajin powder: Moisten the rim of a margarita glass with a lime wedge, then dip it into a plate of the salt and Tajin powder mixture to coat the rim. Set aside.

  2. Add the tequila, lime juice, Ancho Reyes Verde and agave syrup to the shaker.

  3. Fill the shaker with ice cubes.

  4. Shake vigorously for about 15-20 seconds to chill the mixture and infuse the flavours.

  5. Strain the mixture into the prepared margarita glass over fresh ice.

  6. Optionally, garnish with a lime wedge or a slice of jalapeño for an extra visual cue of spiciness.

  7. Serve and enjoy responsibly!

This Spicy Margarita recipe offers a delightful balance of citrusy lime, sweet agave, and a fiery kick from the Ancho Reyes Verde, creating a refreshing and bold cocktail experience. Adjust the amount of Ancho Reyes Verde and agave syrup to suit your taste preferences for spice and sweetness.

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