It’s National Margarita Day again! Where has the year gone?! This “holiday” is celebrated February 22 every year since a group of Margarita fans designated the day in honor of the much-loved libation. It’s the most common tequila-based cocktail in the United States today—and National Margarita Day was started to celebrate the Margarita, plain and simple. As the group’s website states: “Friendship, good times and memories of somewhere warmer are all great reasons to enjoy a Margarita.” Indeed. Let’s drink to that! Especially when the snow keeps piling up!
While there is debate about the origins of the classic Margarita—from inspiration by bar customers named Margaret or a bartender’s girlfriend named Margarita who had a fondness for salt in her drinks, to a twist on a Daisy, a classic cocktail dating back to Victorian times (made of citrus juice, sweetened with a syrup or liqueur, and fortified with a base spirit), two variations of this classic cocktail date back to the 1930s—the Tequila Daisy and the Picador, notes Simon Difford in his Encyclopedia of Cocktails. Both, however, lack the distinctive salt rim. Frozen margaritas were created later in the 1970s.
The classic mix of tequila, orange flavored liqueur, and lime juice has many variations—some include sweetener, and, of course, there are handy premade mixes. There are endless tasty options for this cocktail that raises a glass to the combination of tequila and citrus—and National Margarita Day! This recipe, provided by Tequila Avión, mixes it up with an orange variation. Cheers!
Blood Orange Margarita
1 1/2 parts Tequila Avión
3/4 part Cointreau Orange Liqueur
1 part Blood Orange Juice
1/2 part Fresh Sour Mix
In a cocktail shaker, add all ingredients with ice. Shake and strain; best served over fresh ice and garnish with an orange twist.
