The Untold Story of the Margarita Cocktail

The Margarita cocktail has long held a special place in the hearts of cocktail enthusiasts. But where did it really come from? And who was the Margarita cocktail named after? This article dives into the detailed history and explores various theories about the origin of this beloved drink.

Origins and Theories

One of the most popular stories surrounding the origin of the Margarita cocktail involves the Balinese Room in Galveston, Texas. This establishment was frequented by many of the top performers of the 1940s and 1950s, including Frank Sinatra and Peggy Lee. According to this tale, a bartender created a tribute to Peggy Lee by crafting a cocktail with tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice, naming it after her and calling it the “Margarita” cocktail.

Another Popular Theory

Another theory suggests that the Margarita was named after a Margarita Cansino, who later became known as Rita Hayworth. This theory posits that in 1936, Danny Negrete, who worked at the Agua Caliente Race Track in Mexico, created the cocktail as a wedding gift for his sister-in-law. The name “margarita” is Spanish for daisy, and the cocktail became extremely popular.

Histories of Cocktails

Cocktails have a rich and varied history that spans multiple continents and centuries. This history is as much about tales of trade and technology as it is about social trends. Let’s take a closer look at the evolution of cocktails:

India and Punch

The story of cocktails begins in India, where the spice trade introduced the concept of punch. Sailors returning from voyages with the British East India Company brought back chilled alcoholic mixes of lemon, sugar, and tea. These popular cool drinks quickly replaced mulled wines in the 1600s, and punches remained popular for hundreds of years.

Rum and Bitters

In the 1700s, the rum trade in the Caribbean brought digestive bitters and rum punches to the world. By the 1800s, Angostura Bitters from Venezuela and Peychauds Bitters from New Orleans were among Europe’s favorite mixers. The ice trade in the 1800s revolutionized iced drinks and cocktails, leading to the creation of the Sazerac, a cocktail that is still prominent in New Orleans today.

Tequila and the Margarita

The Margarita is a relatively modern cocktail, with many conflicting stories about its exact origins. The Tequila Daisy, an early precursor to the Margarita, was mix with soda water. The Café Royal Cocktail Book, first published in 1937, also features a Clark Daisy recipe, which was mixed with water seltzer.

Margarita Recipe

To make a classic Margarita:

2 oz tequila 1 oz fresh lime juice 1 oz Cointreau Splash of soda (optional) Lime garnish

Shake the tequila, lime juice, and Cointreau over ice until well chilled. Double strain into a chilled cocktail glass or over ice in a rocks glass. Optionally, rim the glass with coarse salt. Optionally, add a splash of soda. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Marketing and Modernity

The Margarita’s rise to fame was not just due to its delicious taste but also marketing efforts. In 1936, James Graham, a newspaper owner, claimed that he and his wife first tasted a Margarita in Tijuana during Prohibition. However, he never admitted to trying one himself. In 1945, a Mexican bartender named Danny Negrete is credited with creating the cocktail, naming it after his sister-in-law, Margarita Cansino.

Ultimately, the exact origin of the Margarita remains a mystery. But what’s clear is that the cocktail’s popularity has soared over the years, especially with the invention of the frozen Margarita machine in 1971, which was invented by Dallas restaurateur Mariano Martinez.

Conclusion

From daisies to tequila, the Margarita has a rich and complex history. Whether it was named after Peggy Lee or Rita Hayworth, the cocktail has entered the hearts and minds of generations of cocktail lovers. The next time you enjoy a Margarita, remember the rich and varied history behind this classic cocktail.