The margarita is a classic tequila-based cocktail that has been popular for decades. But where did it get its name from? Here we’ll explore the origins of the margarita and uncover the history behind its identity.
The Two Main Theories on the Margarita Name
There are a few different theories about how the margarita got its name. Here are the two main ones:
1. It’s named after Margarita Sames
One of the most popular origin stories credits Margarita Sames, a Dallas socialite, with inventing the drink in 1948. As the story goes, she concocted the cocktail for her friends at her Acapulco vacation home one night using tequila, triple sec, and lime juice. She named it after herself – Margarita. Over the years this tale has become ingrained in margarita lore.
2. It’s named after the Spanish word for “daisy”
The other main theory is that the drink is named after the Spanish word “margarita” which means “daisy.” Daisies are white flowers, and the margarita cocktail has a pale white color to it. Additionally, daisy-shaped margarita glasses started becoming popular around the 1930s when the drink was first appearing. So it could be likely it was named for its resemblance to the flower.
Other Lesser-Known Name Origin Theories
There are also some other minor theories about the origins of the margarita name, such as:
- It being named after a Tijuana bartender’s lover Margarita
- It being named after the Margarita mining region in Mexico
- It being named after the Spanish princess Margarita de Borbon
However, these stories are less documented and haven’t become as widely accepted.
Earliest Known Recipes and References
To understand the true origins of the margarita name, looking at the earliest known recipes and references can provide some clues:
- 1936 – A drink called the Tequila Daisy, which was essentially an early version of a margarita, is included in the May 1936 Cafe Royal Cocktail Book. This supports the “daisy” name origin theory.
- 1948 – Jose Cuervo begins advertising the margarita in 1948. This lines up with Margarita Sames’ supposed invention of the cocktail that same year.
- 1953 – A recipe for a basic margarita appears in the December 1953 issue of Esquire magazine. This is the earliest known published recipe.
- 1966 – The first frozen margarita machine is invented in Dallas, allowing mass production of margaritas. They become immensely popular after this.
Based on these references, it seems the modern margarita likely emerged somewhere around the late 1930s and early 1940s, but it didn’t gain widespread popularity until the 1950s and 1960s. The true origin of the name is still murky, but it was probably one of the two main theories.
Popularity Leads to Name Recognition
After the 1960s, the margarita exploded in popularity in both America and Mexico. Its name became instantly recognizable across the world. People began associating the name so strongly with the drink that its origins became less important.
Now the word “margarita” is so deeply tied to the cocktail that the name has taken on an identity of its own. Even if we’re unsure of its exact origins, it’s still the perfect encapsulation of a tart, refreshing, tequila-based classic.
Conclusion
While we may never know the absolute definitive history of the margarita name, we do know it came about around the mid 20th century, most likely tying to either the Spanish word for “daisy” or a Dallas socialite named Margarita. The drink spread widely by the 1960s and its name became cemented through popularity. Now it’s one of the most beloved cocktails across the globe, meaning its name has certainly stood the test of time.