Once upon a time, it was a simple blend of tequila, triple sec and lime juice. Over the years, this sublime drink has evolved with incredibly good taste that is certainly worth celebrating every February 22. We raise our glasses high in a toast to Margarita Day.
As we savor salted rims, let us ponder the margarita’s many facets. Stories of its origins are set in the 1940s and filled with colorful characters. Food historians generally agree on three contenders for the honor of being the first to shake it up.
It may have been a restaurateur in Baja who was trying to impress a visiting Broadway star. Some believe a Galveston bartender came up with the first margarita to make a splash with singer Peggy Lee. Other narratives credit a Dallas socialite who loved entertaining guests at her Acapulco vacation home.
Think about the ingredients in a classic margarita on the rocks. Of course, we should also consider those who favor their ritas straight up, and we certainly can’t leave out libation lovers who prefer the bracing chill of a frozen margarita.
Enjoy another sip as we circle back to those ingredients. Tequila is required, of course, but pick a tempting fruit. Fresh strawberries are a juicy favorite. Peaches give the drink an extra lusciousness and pineapples redefine the sweet, tart flavors of a traditional margarita.
Add refreshing aromatics with a dash of ground ginger and crushed mint, or give them an extra cool kick with cucumber and jalapeno. Blend your best margarita into funnel cake batter, deep-fry it, and top with whipped cream. That’s how they do it at the Texas State Fair.
There are endless ways to serve, blend and flavor this unique libation. Very few cocktails are as multifaceted as our beloved margaritas. If you agree, allow us to state the obvious. Today is Margarita Day. It’s time for another round.