Did you know that there’s a National Margarita Day? Here at Distillery Nearby, we love any and all opportunities to celebrate local and handcrafted spirits – and National Margarita Day is the perfect one! In this blog, you’ll find everything you need to know about margaritas, from the history surrounding this beverage to some delicious margarita recipes for you to try at your National Margarita Day celebration.

When Is National Margarita Day?

National Margarita Day is February 22 – every year. This holiday doesn’t move around like some other holidays we’ve discussed, like Fat Tuesday. You’ll also notice that some bars, pubs, and restaurants will run specials on margaritas on February 22nd in honor of National Margarita Day!

Fun Fact: Todd McCalla, a man from Ohio, is responsible for founding National Margarita Day, and it became a holiday in 2009.

What’s the History of the Margarita?

While margaritas might be most popular in Mexico, America has taken to this delicious, tequila-based beverage, too. But, where did it come from? Who invented this popular, refreshingly sweet spirit-based beverage?

Fun Fact: “Margarita” is the Spanish word for “daisy.”

Some sources suggest that Tijuana resident Carlos Herrera is to thank for the margarita as we know and love it today. Supposedly, he created the drink for a frequent customer, Marjorie King, who couldn’t drink anything except tequila – we know, odd? This was in 1938 when Herrera combined the classic tequila, lime, agave, and orange liqueur. Hence, a potent (but delicious) drink was birthed.

What Are The Different Forms of Margaritas?

Whether you’re in the mood for something warm, cold, or frozen, a margarita can fit the bill. You can mix up a margarita to be room temperature, shaken over ice, or even frozen. Regardless of how you choose to enjoy your margarita, it’ll be equally delicious. Just be careful with frozen margaritas – due to the numbing effect on the tongue, you’ll need to use more sweetener or brave a very tart drink!

Fun Fact: Did you know that the frozen margarita didn’t become popular until 1971?

How Much Alcohol Is in a Margarita?

This will depend on how you make your margarita or how the bar or restaurant you go to makes theirs. If you would like to know “how many drinks” are in a margarita, you can always ask your server. In general, about two ounces of hard liquor is a single “drink.” Keep in mind that you can make your drink as strong or as weak as you’d like at home – just remember to drink responsibly.

What Spirits Are Used in Margaritas?

A traditional margarita is made using tequila – a spirit made from the agave plant. If you aren’t familiar with the agave plant, it’s an odd-looking member of the Asparagaceae family that grows in the Caribbean and Mexico. It grows in “semiarid” climates and the fibers of the plant as a byproduct are incredibly useful.

Your classic margarita will also use orange liqueur, which is made by flavoring a neutral grain alcohol like vodka with orange peels. Some popular names in the orange liqueur game are Triple Sec and Cointreau. Orange liqueurs are a popular cocktail ingredient and are a big part of any home bar setup.

As far as spirits go, this is all that’s in a classic margarita. You can obviously switch things out, swap your clear tequila for an aged one, or use a different liqueur; however, that will bring out outside the “classic” territory for margaritas.

Are There Regional Differences in Margaritas?

Traditional margaritas that you’ll get at Mexican restaurants will likely stay true to the heritage and use pure agave syrup to sweeten the drink. However, agave syrup is far more expensive than a simple syrup made from cane sugar. If you visit a lower-scale bar, pub, or restaurant here in the states, it’s likely that your beverage might be sweetened by cane sugar or simple syrup. You can always ask your bartender what they use in their margaritas before ordering.

Some people really dislike the flavor of agave, so opting for a mild tequila and simple syrup over agave could be a great choice. However, traditionally, a margarita is heavy on the unique, pungent, agave flavor.

What Do Margaritas Taste Like?

Margaritas are a tangy, sweet drink with a bitter kick that comes from the hard liquor within the mix. You’ll notice that pre-mixed bottles of margaritas are less complex and they may be stronger than a margarita you’ll get at a restaurant. Agave is also a heavy note in this beverage, as the drink is mainly agave-based liquor and agave syrup as a sweetener. If you don’t like the flavor of agave, this drink probably isn’t for you.

What Pairs Well With Margaritas?

Margaritas are sweet and tangy, but they also have a complex flavor. Since margaritas are a Mexican cocktail, you might be best sticking with Mexican-style dishes with lots of spice and flavor. However, there’s no reason you can’t step outside that cuisine sphere. We’ve heard that margaritas pair well with creamy curries, ceviche, gumbo, and even Thai food! Get out there and try some different pairings and see what you like best!

What Kind of Glass Is Used for a Margarita?

There are two main types of glasses that often get used for Margaritas. The most common glass almost looks like an upside-down bell on a stem. There’s a wide rim, great for rimming with salt or sugar, and a narrow inner portion below the wide opening.

Another common glass shape is more like a bowl on a stem. These glasses are wide all the way through. Most people find that these glasses work better than the above glass for frozen margaritas. However, it’s really up to personal preference! You can drink your margarita out of a mason jar if you want to!

Do I Need a Cocktail Mixer for Margaritas?

While the cocktail mixer helps incorporate all of the ingredients and evenly chill your beverage, you, realistically, can make the drink without a mixer. If you do forgo the mixer, make sure to chill your drink sufficiently and mix it well enough to incorporate all of the liquors.

How Do I Make a Classic Margarita?

In order to make yourself a delicious, classic margarita at home, you’ll need the following things:

• Clear tequila
• Orange liqueur
• Agave syrup
• Whole lime
• Kosher salt (optional for rimming the glass)

Classic margaritas are served in a “margarita glass.” You can rim your glass with salt by rubbing lime juice on the rim and spinning the glass in a pile of kosher salt. Set your glass aside and grab your cocktail mixer, if you have one. Add ice to the shaker (about halfway) and then pour in 2 oz tequila, ½ oz orange liqueur, 1 oz fresh lime juice, and ½ oz agave syrup. 

Shake vigorously until well-chilled. Strain the shaker over your margarita glass with about a half cup of crushed ice. Garnish with a lime wedge and enjoy!

How Do I Make a Frozen Margarita?

To make a frozen margarita, you’re going to use the same ratios, but you’ll need a blender, too! For each frozen margarita, you’ll need about one to one and a half cups of ice, depending on whether your booze is chilled or not. 

Margarita Recipes You Can’t Go Wrong With for National Margarita Day:

If you’re looking for some dynamite National Margarita Day margarita recipes, we have several for you to try out! Check out the four recipes below and keep stuff on hand to make them for your party guests!

Texas Red River Margarita Recipe

Looking for something different, yet full of flavor? Check out this spicy, sweet margarita recipe that’s sure to knock your socks off.

Ingredients:

• Tequila
• Jalapeños
• Grapefruit juice
• Simple syrup
• Kosher salt for rimming glasses

Infuse your tequila with fresh jalapeños on the counter for 2-3 hours – you’ll need 2 oz per serving. Rim glass(es) with salt. Strain the tequila, discarding the jalepeños. Stir in a ½ cup of grapefruit juice per serving and ¼ cup simple syrup (or less, to taste). Serve in a glass over ice.

Grapefruit Margarita Recipe

If you love the bitter kick of grapefruit, you’re going to love this margarita recipe for sure. Make sure to use fresh ingredients where possible to have the best possible flavor.

Ingredients:

• Tequila
• Orange liqueur
• Grapefruit juice
• Grenadine syrup
• Kosher salt for rimming glasses

Rim your glass with salt and set aside. In a cocktail shaker, combine your 1 ½ oz tequila, 1 oz orange liqueur, and 1 oz grapefruit juice. Fill your shaker with ice and shake until the outside becomes frosty. Strain into a glass with ice and top with a teaspoon of grenadine syrup – it will sink in the glass. Garnish with a grapefruit slice!

Bright Melon Margarita Recipe

If you love melons like we do, this margarita recipe might just be where you stop and add items to your grocery list. We certainly wouldn’t blame you.

Ingredients:

• Tequila
• Melon liqueur
• Whole lime
• Honeydew melon (scooped into balls)
• Kosher salt for rimming glasses

As with other margarita recipes, rim your glass with salt. In your cocktail shaker, pour your 1 ½ oz tequila, 1 ½ oz melon liqueur (use less if you like it more tart), ½ oz lime juice, and ice. Shake until frosty and strain into your glass over ice if you’d like. Garnish with a lime wedge and melon balls.

Margarita Sangria Recipe

Are you familiar with the deliciously fruity wine beverage, sangria? This recipe is certainly a stretch on the traditional margarita, but we think you’ll love it if you’re a fan of fruity wines.

Ingredients:

• 1 c tequila
• 1 bottle white wine
• 1 can lemon-lime soda
• ½ c halved, seedless red grapes
• ½ c fresh mixed berries
• 1 lemon, sliced up
• 3 tbsps lemon juice
• ½ cup agave syrup or honey

This recipe requires a little bit of preparation beforehand, but there’s no shaking required – and it makes 8 servings. Simply combine all ingredients into a pitcher and let it sit in the fridge for at least two hours. Then, serve over ice.