Margarita Cocktail, History & Variations

The vast majority of adults have tried margaritas, which is why the cocktail continues to be the most popular alcohol option.

It’s not known who created the margarita, or when it was created. There are many different variations to the story. In one variation, the drink was created in 1938, for a showgirl.

In another version of the margarita origin story, it’s claimed that Margaret Sames, a socialite from Texas, mixed the first margarita at a house party in Mexico in 1948.

No one knows the truth. All we know is that it was likely invented during the 1940s and evolved from the Daisy, which was a cocktail that mixed citrus juice, grenadine, and alcohol over ice. It’s safe to say that, whoever created the margarita, we are all grateful.

Is Triple Sec Necessary?

Triple Sec is one of the most important ingredients in a margarita. Not only does it give the drink a slight orange flavor, but it also serves as a sweetener. Still, it can be replaced with simple syrup instead.

Variations of Margaritas

Fortunately for us, there are a large variety of different margaritas available to suit every taste. Below, we’ve included several recipes. There are also premade margarita drinks from DRNXMYTH for you to enjoy.

Mezcal Margarita

Not a lot of people know what mezcal is. It is similar to tequila and is made from the same blue agave plants. But instead of being baked in stone ovens, like tequila’s agave, mezcal’s agave is instead smoked, buried in pits with hot rocks. The flavor is similar to that of tequila, but it has more of a smoky taste.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ ounces mezcal
• 1 ounce Cointreau
• ¾ ounce freshly-squeezed lime juice
• agave nectar or simple syrup (optional)
• ice
• lime wedge and salt

Steps

1. To coat the glass, moisten the rim with a lime slice and dip it into salt.
2. Add the liquid ingredients into a cocktail shaker and shake well. Sweeten to taste.
3. In a glass with ice, pour in the margarita mixture and garnish with a lime wedge.

Pineapple Jalapeño Margarita

Ready for a spicy yet satisfying treat? A pineapple jalapeño margarita is a delicious option, and for an extra kick, you can try it with ghost tequila.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
• 3/4 ounce triple sec
• 1 1-inch pineapple chunk, cubed
• 1 jalapeño round, thinly sliced
• 1 1/2 ounces tequila
• 1/2 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
• 1/2 ounce pineapple juice
• Garnish: lime wedge, pineapple piece, and jalapeño piece

Steps

1. In a dish or on a plate, mix the sugar and black pepper. With the lime slice, moisten the rim of the glass and coat.
2. Gently muddle together the triple Sec, pineapple chunk, and jalapeño into a cocktail shaker.
3. Add in the rest of the liquids and ice, and shake well.
4. Double strain into the glass, along with fresh ice. Garnish with the jalapeño round, pineapple chunk, and lime wedge.

Cucumber Margarita

Cucumber margaritas are refreshing to Joy on any day, and they are naturally healthy. They can be paired with any tequila and lime juice. For a delicious cucumber margarita, follow this recipe.

Ingredients

• coarse kosher salt for rimming the glass
• lime wedges
• 1/2 medium-large cucumber, peeled
• 1/2 ounce silver tequila
• 1/2 ounce triple sec
• 1/2 ounce lime juice
• ice cubes

Steps

1. Run the lime wedge over the rim of each glass and dip it into salt.
2. Cut up the peeled cucumber and put it into a blender for one minute, blending until the cucumber is smooth.
3. Pour the Cucumber puree through a fine mesh strainer and into a bowl or cup to separate the pulp.
4. Add everything into a glass and stir to combine.
5. Add in a few ice cubes and garnish with a lime wedge.

Strawberry Margarita

Out of all of the different flavors, the strawberry margarita continues to be a crowd pleaser. With its refreshing flavor and smooth texture, it’s not hard to see why.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces blanco tequila
• 1/2 ounce triple sec
• 1/2 cup fresh strawberries, hulled
• 1 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
• 1/2 ounce agave nectar
• 1 fresh strawberry

Steps

1. Place everything into a blender with ice, leaving out one strawberry.
2. Blend until smooth and pour into a margarita glass.
3. Garnish with a fresh strawberry.

Black Mole Margarita

A delicious and unique drink, the Black Mole margarita is sure to become one of your newest favorites.

Ingredients: Black-cocoa-and-orange syrup

• 1 cup demerara sugar
• ½ cup of water
• 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 orange peel

Ingredients – Margarita

• 1 3/4 ounces mezcal
• 1 ounce Cointreau
• 1 ounce lime juice
• 1/2 ounce black-cocoa-and-orange syrup
• 3 dashes of mole bitters
• Soda water
• 1 lime wheel

Steps – Black-cocoa-and-orange syrup

1. Add the sugar and water into a saucepan and bring to a boil. Simmer until all sugar is dissolved.
2. Once the pan is removed from heat, add the cocoa powder and orange peel.
3. Stir until powder dissolves and steep until cool.
4. Strain out any solids and refrigerate.

Steps – Margarita

1. Place everything except for the soda water into a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake well.
2. Strain into a rock’s glass with fresh ice. Top with soda water and stir.
3. Garnish with the lime wheel.

Shrubarita

In regard to drinking, not many people know what a shrub is. A shrub is another name for drinking vinegar, and it is a combination of water, sugar, fruit, and vinegar. It serves as a sweet and acidic addition to cocktails and can be used for all sorts of different drinks, including margaritas.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper, freshly cracked
• 1 3/4 ounces mezcal
• 3/4 ounce maple beet shrub
• 1/4 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
• Lime wheel

Steps

1. On a plate, add the maple syrup. On a separate plate, mix together the salt and pepper.
2. Choose a rock’s glass and dip it in the maple syrup, shaking to remove the excess before dipping it into the salt mixture.
3. To the cocktail shaker, add lime juice, maple beet shrub, and mezcal, shaking until the shaker is cold.
4. Strain into the prepared glass and use the lime as a garnish.

Not only are these margarita recipes delicious, but they’re easy to make from home!