Todd McCalla, a commercial real estate broker in Nashville, TN, declared February 23rd National Margarita Day in 2009 and began to spread the news. McCalla dedicated the day in the name of friendship, good times, and memories of warmer climates to offset gray February doldrums. He was also weary of establishments pushing “high fructose corn syrup” margherita mixes in the U.S. and wanted to promote that simple, pure recipe with fresh ingredients that has made so many people happy across generations. National Margherita Day has gained a life of its own and is now celebrated across the US, especially after a Today Show cameo.

The Margarita was invented sometime between 1937 and 1941 and has multiple origin claimants in Mexico, California, Texas, and even the UK. The classic recipe calls for tequila, triple sec, and fresh lime juice. While the stories about bartenders naming the drink after various beautiful women are intoxicating, the drink is likely an evolution of the Daisy Cocktail, one of the true classic cocktails from the 1860s which contains a base spirit, a liquor, and fresh juice. Another not-so-subtle clue is that the word Margarita in Spanish means “daisy.”

Music Du Jour: Many good music options today:

• National Margarita Day Playlist
• Margarita Playlist
• Spicey Margarita Playlist
• Disco Margaritas
• This is Jimmy Buffett

Films Du Jour:

• The Margarita Man (2020)
• Margarita (2013)
• The Matador (2006)
• Broken Lizard’s Club Dread (2004)
• Cocktail (1988)

Snacks du Jour: Here’s a list of food pairings with the Margarita

Cocktail Du Jour – Margarita

There are many good recipes for a Margarita and you will probably like most of them as long as the quality of the tequila is good and as long as you get fresh lime juice. The International Bartenders Association (IBA) ratio is 10 to 4 to 3 for tequila, triple sec, and lime juice.

• 5 oz white tequila
• 1 oz triple sec
• 75 oz freshly squeezed lime juice

Rim glass with lime juice and sea salt and fill with ice. Shake all ingredients with ice in a cocktail shaker and pour into rimmed glass. Garnish with a lime wheel.

Here’s a link to 19 more recipes for flavored Margaritas from Food 52.

Mocktail Du Jour – Virgin Margarita

This mocktail recipe from Lizoncall.com makes four servings:

• 2 cups limeade
• 3/4 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup simple syrup
• 1/2 to 1 cup club soda

Rim glasses with lime juice and an equal mix of sugar and sea salt and fill with ice. In a small pitcher, mix together limeade, orange juice, and simple syrup. Pour into glasses and garnish with lime wheels.

 Beer Du Jour

A lime-based beer if you can find one, or any light Mexican or American Lager you can shove a lime into.

Wine Du Jour

Drinking white wine with lime dates back to the 1500s in Mexico. The Spanish would use lime juice to preserve wines. Add a thick lime wheel to six ounces or more of your favorite white wine. Add an ounce or two of club soda to make it fizz, or use a sparkling wine instead. If you’re feeling daring you can try a White Wine Margarita.

Use freshly squeezed citrus in your cocktails and mocktails when called for – It makes such a difference! Here’s a reliable and inexpensive juicer. 

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Photo credit: “Margarita 410” by TheCulinaryGeek is licensed under CC BY 2.0.