While many people love margaritas, nobody is fully knowledgeable about who invented this cocktail or how it was discovered. Some even associated this with a lovely woman to whom it may be named after. But the real story behind this famous cocktail is still unknown.
Taking a look at some stories about margarita
According to some accounts, the margarita was first concocted in 1938 by Carlos Herrera, a Mexican restaurant owner. The concoction was dedicated to a beautiful Ziegfeld showgirl named Marjorie King. However, the lady only drinks tequila because she is allergic to other forms of alcohol. Herrera solved this problem by infusing lime and salt into tequila, which resulted in the world’s first-ever margarita.
Another story mentions that margarita was first mixed in a house party in Acapulco in 1948. It was done by a Texas socialite named Margaret Sames, nicknamed Margarita.
It could also be named after the actress Rita Hayworth, a bartender who’s stricken by her beauty offered the cocktail during a gig in a theatre in Tijuana. The real name of Rita Hayworth was Margarita Cansino.
Or, it was first introduced and served to Peggy Lee (whose traditional name is Margaret) in Galveston, Texas.
What do historians say about a margarita?
Because of the various stories on how margarita got its name, a cocktail historian named David Wondrich shared his version based on history. According to him, the margarita that we know today comes from a cocktail called “daisy.” This cocktail is a mix of citrus juice, grenadine, and alcohol over shaved ice. This was first introduced during the 1930s and 40s. During that time, the famous original recipes include tequila daisies, gin daisies, and whiskey daisies.
The Mexican-inspired daisy became popular by the Spanish name “margarita.” Oxford English Dictionary defines margarita as “a cocktail made with tequila and citrus fruit juice.” The cocktail first appeared in a printed advertisement in 1965, although there were reports that they had already appeared in some Jose Cuervo ads in 1945.
Why is margarita still a favorite nowadays?
Various versions of margarita have been introduced and served to cocktail-lovers. In 2008, the margarita was one of the most favorite cocktails in the U.S. since it was the most commonly ordered drink. Margarita is also infused with other flavors like raspberry, strawberry, pomegranate, green tea, pineapple, chocolate, mint, and cucumber. These are often served in glasses with sugar or salt on the rim of the glass.
A tequila-laced slushie or frozen margarita was developed by Fred Waring, who used his electric blender. The Waring blender has been a famous kitchen appliance since the 1950s. In 1952, more and more blenders were making cocktail recipes that are served with a cold and slurpy alcoholic mush. That could be the origin of today’s famous frozen blended cocktails.
Compared to the daiquiri, the frozen margarita is often distinguished by its own frozen margarita-making machine. Mariano Martinez, a young restaurant owner in Texas, started serving margaritas to his customers in Mariano’s Mexican Cuisine in 1971. These new drinks became so popular, and due to high demand, he started using soft ice cream equipment as a machine to produce margaritas on a large scale.
Conclusion
The history and stories about margarita are as interesting as its taste. So, the next time you order a glass of margarita from a bartender, make sure to be inspired by all the stories associated with it before taking a sip. If you’re hosting a party, why not pull a Mariano Martinez move and serve a margarita straight from a margarita machine?
Looking for a margarita machine for rent in Sugar Land, Pearland, Katy, and Houston, Texas? Whether it’s a party or any special event you’re planning, don’t miss having cold glasses of margarita to serve your guests. Contact us today for more details!
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