Some say the margarita was created in 1938 in honour of a Mexican showgirl named Rita de la Rosa. Others say it was invented by Carlos ‘Danny’ Herrera, who first made it for dancer Marjorie King? Others attribute its creation to an Irishman named Madden, who remade a brandy daisy with tequila in 1936.
There are as many variations on the margarita’s origin story as there are twists on the drink itself. Luckily, the ingredients are more straightforward: it’s tequila, triple sec, freshly squeezed lime, and salt.
Offering a refreshing blend of sweet, sour, and that peppery tequila bite, the original is perfection – but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t inspired an array of clever variations on the theme. Here are 5 of our favourites to try.
How to prep your glass
The one thing unites (almost) every margarita? Salt. It intensifies the sweet and sour flavours, and adds zing to the citrus. Here’s how to sort out the glass.
First, crush a large pinch of sea salt in a mortar, or bash it with the butt of a rolling pin. Put the salt on a plate. Next, wipe a wedge of lime around the outer rim of your chosen glass, then roll the wet edge in the salt so it sticks. Make sure you don’t add it to the inside or top of the rim – it should be there to give you a burst of flavour with each sip, not make the whole drink taste like the ocean.
Once you’ve prepped your glass, it’s time to mix and serve. What’ll it be?
Coconut Margarita
Coconut, tequila, lime, and a pineapple garnish – a splash of tropical reverie to be enjoyed whatever the weather. It’s creamier than a regular margarita, but less sweet than a piña colada. Dancing in the rain optional.
Ingredients
- 45ml 1800 Coconut
- 90ml cream of coconut
- 30ml triple sec
- Juice of one fresh lime
Garnish
- Lemon or pineapple wedge
- Salt for rim
How to make it
- Salt the rim of a rocks glass.
- Add all of your ingredients to a shaker and shake vigorously.
- Strain into your glass over ice, and garnish with a lemon or pineapple wedge.
Frozen Cuervo Margarita
Scorching days call for ice-cold margaritas. This one uses a silver tequila rather than an aged one, which makes for a crisper drink that suits the chilled format better. Ideal for BBQs and summer evenings when you want something cool and easy to wrap your lips around.
Ingredients
- 50ml Jose Cuervo Especial Silver
- 15ml fresh lime juice
- 30ml triple sec
- 9 ice cubes
Garnish
- Salt for rim
- Lime wedge
How to make it
- Add Jose Cuervo Especial Silver, lime juice, triple sec and nine ice cubes into a blender.
- Blend for a few seconds.
- Salt the rim of a tumbler glass, garnish with a fresh lime wedge and enjoy.
Tommy’s Margarita
Created in 1990 in San Francisco by Julio Bermejo at his parent’s restaurant, Tommy’s. Simple yet satisfying, this twist on the classic swaps triple sec in favour of agave syrup, while oak-aged Jose Cuervo Tradicional Reposado adds complexity aficionados seek. If you like, give it a fruity twist with a splash of orange bitters.
Ingredients
- 50ml Jose Cuervo Tradicional Reposado
- 30ml lime juice
- 15ml organic agave syrup
Garnish
- Salt for rim
- Lime wedge
How to make it
- Salt the rim of a glass.
- Add the Tradicional Reposado, fresh lime Juice and agave syrup together.
- Shake.
- Garnish with a lime wedge and enjoy.
Cristalino 1800® Cristal Margarita
Not a fan of salt? No problem. This outlier in the margarita family swaps salt for zesty grapefruit, sweet maple syrup and a splash of bitters. Meanwhile, Cristalino 1800 adds extra complexity thanks to sultry oak and vanilla notes. It’s as easy to make one as it is 20, so just up the measurements if you’re pleasing a crowd.
Ingredients
- 50ml 1800® Cristalino
- 10ml maple syrup
- 20ml lime juice
- A dash of Peychaud’s Bitters
Garnish
- Pink grapefruit zest
How to make it
- Pour 1800® Cristalino and other ingredients into a shaker.
- Vigorously shake and pour into a martini or coupette glass.
- Garnish with a twist of pink grapefruit zest and serve.
Smokey Margarita
Tequila, lime and organic agave meet smoky, savoury salt for a margarita with attitude. This one’s a showstopper for dinner parties, or ideal for when you want a feisty little drink to end your day.
Ingredients
- 50ml Maestro Dobel Humito
- 15ml lime juice
- 25ml organic agave syrup
Garnish
- Smoked salt
How to make it
- Garnish half the rim of a tumbler with smoked salt.
- Shake all your ingredients together, then pour into your tumbler.
- Serve and enjoy.
Join Our Community
Be the first to hear about new products, recipes, and freshly pressed news straight from Mexico.
