22 February is National Margarita Day, which is the perfect opportunity for you to enjoy one of these tequila-based cocktails.
A margarita consists of tequila, triple sec (an orange flavoured liqueur) and lime or lemon juice. Freshly squeezed lime juice is a key ingredient when making a margarita, but it can also be made with lemons – which will give it a milder taste.
There are many stories and myths – from as early as 1938 – about how and when the margarita was created. When it comes to sorting them out, only two things are certain – the cocktail included tequila and the bartender edged the glass with salt.
In Mexico, when straight tequila was consumed (especially if the quality was bad), the best course of action was to down it in one swallow, suck on a wedge of lime and then lick a dash of salt from the back of your hand. It makes sense then, that the salt followed the lime and tequila to the margarita glass.
Today, lime is not the only flavour used in margaritas – the specialists behind the bar have become creative, mixing dried herbs, infused sugars and exotic salts to enhance both the presentation of the glass and the taste of the cocktail.
Margaritas can be served in a variety of ways, including on the rocks (shaken with ice), frozen (blended with ice) or straight up (without ice).
In the December 1953 issue of the Esquire magazine, the margarita was the Drink of the Month and the printed recipe read as follows:
-1 ounce tequila
– Dash of Triple Sec
– Juice of 1/2 lime or lemon
Pour over crushed ice, stir. Rub the rim of a stem glass with rind of lemon or lime, spin in salt – pour, and sip.
The 1977 release of Jimmy Buffet’s song, Margaritaville, further popularised the drink.
It is not easy tracking the creator of National Margarita Day, as a few dozen bartenders have claimed to be the founder.
To celebrate today get yourself a margarita and enjoy. You can also arrange to meet some of your friends at your favourite bar, have some margaritas and catch up. Just remember to always drink responsibly and never drink and drive.
Use #NationalMargaritaDay to post on social media.
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