There is no drink more Mexican than tequila. Therefore, we might think that there is no cocktail more Mexican than the Margarita. That mix of tequila, lime and salt is unmistakable.
Among Mexico’s many culinary gifts, the Margarita reigns supreme. Beloved worldwide, it’s constantly reinvented. While the classic recipe features tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and a salty rim, countless fruity variations now tantalize taste buds across the globe.
Whether enjoyed on the rocks with a refreshing chill or blended into a smooth frozen treat, you’ve probably wondered about the Margarita’s mysterious past.
The truth? The Margarita’s origin is shrouded in mystery, with several tales vying for credit. Most, however, involve a captivating woman (or two!).
How did the margarita came to be?
There are numerous ideas as to how the Margarita came to be. One relates a beloved American dancer in a club in Rosarito, Baja California, and the other is a drink that came to Mexico from the United States during the time of alcohol prohibition. However, the most accepted and documented is that it was the creation of David Daniel Negrete Covarrubias. Its invention took place in the bar of the luxurious Gran Hotel Garci-Crespo in the city of Tehuacán, Puebla. The year was 1934.
There, Daniel would meet Margarita Orozco, a lady whose request would transform his life. These are Daniel’s own words, in a brief interview given in 1982 in Ensenada, when he described the afternoon when one of the world’s most renowned drinks was born:
Margarita liked to sit at the bar and talk to me while I was working. On one occasion, she said:
“Daniel, I want you to prepare me a cocktail with salt. I have the habit of drinking any cocktail or drink I ask for with salt. It embarrasses me to be asking for salt all the time, especially when I am with my friends.”
Daniel took the shaker and filled it with ice. He squeezed an ounce of lime. Then took the bottle of tequila and poured an ounce and a half with the then unglamorous liquor. He finished it with three-quarters of an ounce of Cointreau, an orange peel-based triple sec liqueur. Finally, he shook to mix.
Political Connections
Another version states that the Margarita was created for Margarita Henkel, daughter of a German Ambassador, by bartender Don Carlos Orozco. Supposedly he loved to tinker with drinks, and when Henkel stopped by for a spell she was the first to try this concoction; thus he named it for her.
Ties to Texas
Some circles believe that it was, in fact, Margarita Sames (a Dallas Socialite with a home in Acapulco) who created this drink to serve to her guests when they strayed at her vacation home. Apparently it was especially loved by Tommy Hilton (of Hilton Hotels) who introduced it to his family business and so spread its acclaim and popularity.
Formerly the “Daisy”?
One of the more plausible explanations is that the Margarita is a twist on the Daisy (Margarita translating from Spanish as “Daisy”). The suggestion is that during prohibition Americans came to Mexico to drink and substituted liquors like Gin, Whisky, and Brandy with local ones like Tequila. Thus the Daisy became the Margarita!
Other Ideas
There are a few other suggestions, too; Jose Cuervo (one of the biggest names in tequila production) claims it was named after Rita de la Rosa, a Mexican Showgirl, by a bartender in 1938! Some say it was named for Rita Hayworth (real name Margarita Casino) when she was working in Tijuana in the 1940s….
And what happens with margarita frozen?
The frappé form of the margarita is an all-American creation that dates back to the early 1950s. It was then when a specific type of blender became popular for making daiquiris. Someone had a bright idea. if they could do it with the rum, sugar, lime, and strawberry-based drink, they could do it with margaritas and tequila. Thus, the frozen margarita was born.
From there, a lot of versions came. Lime was no longer necessary. Mango, strawberry, tamarind, any fruit juice mixed with tequila is now called a margarita, to the dismay of purists. But don’t worry, tequila is a generous mixer! For a golden close, here is the original and classic margarita recipe, with the signature of the very Daniel Negrete:
Photo: Courtesy
Whatever the case, we can all agree that the Margarita is a wonderful drink which deserves much more credit that it really gets! If you want a taste of the real deal you can have it when you stay at the Marigalante Pirate Ship; their tavern is one of the best around, and they do offer more than just a margarita or two!
