At Monarquia Restaurant in Amherst, NH, we’re no strangers to Margarita Mondays. Our menu features a wide variety of tequilas, fresh garnishes, exotic fruit infusions, and fun seasonal drinks. But have you ever wondered where our favorite cocktail originated?
Today, a classic margarita is made with tequila, orange liqueur, fresh lime juice, and sometimes a sweetener, served with either a salt or sugar rim. But it didn’t always look that way.
National Pride: A Quick History.
Tequila is fermented from the blue agave plant and is deeply rooted in Mexico’s indigenous culture. During the Mexican War of Independence from 1810 to 1821, tequila became a symbol of national pride for the country.
As Mexico’s national spirit, tequila naturally pairs with another staple of Mexican agriculture: citrus. In Mexico, an abundance of limes and other citrus fruits has shaped the country’s cuisine for generations, complementing bold flavors and spices, and making it the perfect companion to tequila. Meanwhile, back in the United States, Prohibition lasted from 1920 to 1933. During this time, the production, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages was banned. As a result, many Americans traveled to neighboring countries where alcohol was still legal.
During this period of cultural experimentation in the 1930s and 1940s, it’s no surprise that many stories surrounding the creation of the margarita trace back to those Mexican border towns and coastal destinations. This tourism led bartenders and drinkers to experiment with tequila by mixing it with citrus juices and orange liqueur.
We Don’t Make Mistakes, Just Happy Accidents: The Daisy Of 1936.
With so many competing origin stories, everyone seems to claim they invented the margarita, making its true birthplace nearly impossible to determine.
One of the most widely accepted theories suggests that the modern margarita evolved from a cocktail known as the “Tequila Daisy.” While the Daisy family of drinks was traditionally made with brandy or whiskey, the tequila variation gained popularity in Mexico.
Prohibition is important to this story because it brings us to Tijuana, Baja California.
One of the earliest documented references to the Tequila Daisy appeared in The Moville Mail on July 23, 1936, in the early post-prohibition era. In this small-town newspaper column titled “Graham’s Sightseeing,” James Graham, the editor, described visiting a bar in Tijuana owned by an Irishman named Mr. Madden. According to Madden, he accidentally grabbed the wrong bottle while preparing a customer’s drink. Instead of sending it back, the customer loved the unexpected combination and shared it with others.
One reason this theory remains popular is that the Spanish word margarita translates to “daisy.”
As the drink continued to gain popularity, the name “Margarita” and its recipe appeared in the December 1953 issue of Esquire magazine.
The Short Answer? There’s No Straight Answer.
The name “Margarita” was incredibly popular throughout the 1930s and 1940s, which is why some origin stories claim the cocktail was named after a particular woman.
One of the most famous legends centers around Marjorie King, a showgirl and actress. She would frequently visit Rancho La Gloria near Tijuana. According to the story, she was allergic to most types of alcohol with the exception of tequila. She simply didn’t enjoy its taste. Hoping to create something she’d love, owner Carlos “Danny” Herrera combined the flavors of a tequila shot with the presentation of a cocktail. He supposedly named the drink after her, using the Spanish equivalent of “Marjorie”: Margarita.
Whether that’s true or not is still up for debate.
Pick Your Poison, And Your Truth At Our Amherst, NH Restaurant.
Whether the margarita was invented by accident or created to satisfy a customer’s unusual request, one thing is certain. It has become our restaurant’s signature cocktail.
Take a moment to appreciate not only the refreshing combination of tequila, lime, and orange liqueur, but also the rich history and culture behind every sip.
If you’re looking to enjoy an authentic margarita made with quality ingredients, stop by Monarquia Authentic Mexican Restaurant in Amherst, NH, or check out our Facebook. After all, every margarita has a story worth sharing.