National Margarita Day (February 22nd)

Quick facts
When is it?	Every February 22nd
Tagged as:	Food & Drink Spirits & Liquers
What's the hashtag?	#NationalMargaritaDay
When was it founded?	2008
Who founded it?	Todd McCalla
We first published this page on:	Dec 23rd, 2017
We last updated this page:	Oct 31st, 2024

It may be hard to believe, but a drink exists that embodies the very essence of joviality, the patron saint of fun, and the joyous expression of life at its absolute best. That drink is the Margarita!

On a hot day while gathering with friends, it’s hard to find something better to bring everyone together than a pitcher of this tasty refreshment.

National Margarita Day celebrates this marvelously-delicious drink, and the rainbow of colors and flavors it comes in. While it might seem like just some ice cold tequila, triple sec, a little salt and a wedge of lime, this beverage is so much more than the sum of its parts!

How to Celebrate National Margarita Day

Oh National Margarita Day, how to celebrate you? Probably with a big ol’ pitcher of Margaritas to start the trip to Margaritaville. (You knew that was coming, we couldn’t possibly go through an article about margaritas without referencing that song.)

Consider the following fun ways to pay homage to this iconic beverage:

Host a Margarita Blend-Off

If it doesn’t sound appealing to go out to the restaurants and bars that are hosting National Margarita Day events, it’s always fun to host an event of your own!

For instance, invite friends to an after-work Margarita Blend-Off party on a Friday night. Sort of like a bake-off—but it’s about mixing up the perfect ‘Rita instead. Assign different participants to bring the basic ingredients (tequila, triple sec, limes). Of course, for frozen margaritas, blenders will need to be made available.

Choose two or three creative mixologists to compete to prove who can make the best margarita. (They can bring their own exotic ingredients to add into the mix.) Everyone can vote on who makes the winningest version of the drink.

The great thing about this type of party is that everyone wins because fun is had, and Margaritas are enjoyed!

Choose Tasty Food Pairings

Even a party that revolves around this delectable drink will need some nibbles to balance it out. Margaritas are traditionally served with south-of-the-border tastes such as taquitos, churros, or the simple ‘go-to’ chips and salsa

But to really get into the spirit of the day, consider serving Margarita-themed foods! Of course, that will mean giving up some of those precious drink ingredients, but it will totally be worth it.

· Try a Margarita Pie, which is similar to a Key Lime Pie but adds in some tequila. Some recipes are so easy they don’t even have to be baked, just chilled.

· Margarita Dip is a hit for those who like to add pizzazz to their fruit (or pretzels for a sweet-and-salty flair). The dip is easy to make, including cream cheese, whipped topping, tequila and lime (of course!).

· Margarita Grilled Shrimp is an easy appetizer to throw on the grill. Just marinate shrimp ahead of time in a garlicky, lime-y, spicy, tequila-and-triple sec mixture and then grill to perfection!

Wear Festive, Margarita-Inspired Gear

In celebration of this festive occasion, consider inserting lime-green and yellow themes into the wardrobe of the day! Some people like to paint their nails in a shimmery lime green, while others choose to sport a pale green tie with their shirt and trousers.

Since the word “margarita” actually translates to “daisy” in Spanish, incorporating daisies into the day’s apparel or décor would be a perfect addition to the festivities.

National Margarita Day FAQs

What is in a Margarita?

Margaritas are very simple, containing only a few ingredients: tequila, lime juice and triple sec. The drink is often served in a stemmed glass with a salted rim and placed over ice.[1]

When is National Margarita Day?

Margarita Day takes place each year on February 22. It is celebrated in a variety of ways, most of which include tequila, triple sec and limes![2]

How to make a Margarita?

For a Margarita, simply add 4 ounces of tequila, 2 ounces of triple sec, 1 ½ ounces of lime juice to two glasses with salted rims. Add ice and garnish with lime wedges. Frozen Margaritas are made similarly but are made with more ice and placed in a blender.[3]

What does a Margarita taste like?

Many people think a Margarita tastes like a sweet limeade made for adults. It is both citrusy and sweet, with an agave flavor because that is the plant that tequila comes from.[4]

Why do Margaritas have salt?

Salt intensifies the flavors of sweet and sour that are inherent in the citrus and sugary ingredients in the Margarita. For many people, salt brightens up the sour flavor and provides balance.[5]

Limes, tequila, salt and triple sec are simple ingredients, and yet they bring about such joy and delight. No matter how big or small, National Margarita Day can be celebrated in all kinds of ways, with adventurous recipes, a party, or just a personal wardrobe nod!

Bonus: Roasted Blueberry Basil Margarita Recipe

A great way to celebrate this day would be to mix up a glass (or pitcher to share) of a unique version of this classic drink. For instance, consider this bonus recipe that is pure heaven in a glass!

Roasted Blueberry Basil Margarita

2 Oz Grand Marnier
1 1/2 oz Tequila
2 oz Lime Juice
2 1/2 oz Blueberry Basil Simple Syrup (Wait for it!)
Slice Lime, Fresh Blueberries, Basil Leaves, with Salt and Sugar on the Rim

Alright, those are the ingredients, now here’s how to make the Syrup!

Place a cup of blueberries in the oven on a baking sheet at 400F sprinkled with a bit of salt. Keep an eye on them until 15-20 minutes have passed, or the berries have started to split open in the oven, then pull them out. Mix together 1/2c sugar, and 1/2c water in a small pan, along with 6-8 basil leaves and boil it until the sugar dissolves, and then mix it with the roasted blueberries until it’s thoroughly combined. Blueberry chunks can be left in or run through a strainer, based on personal preference. Then just mix as above and enjoy the refreshing goodness.

But enjoying National Margarita Day can be about far more than just getting out the blender and enjoying a drink alone. In fact, all kinds of activities can be planned to gather friends, family, or co-workers to imbibe a collection of tasty beverages.

History of National Margarita Day

National Margarita Day was established to help celebrate this amazing alcoholic beverage. It was founded by Todd McCalla in 2008, along with National Tequila Day, to spread the love of margaritas around the world!

The history of the margarita is a bit mysterious and varied, and several stories describe its origin. One of them says it was invented at Rancho La Gloria, down by Tijuana, when Carlos “Danny” Herrera created the recipe for Marjorie King, a Ziegfield dancer who had a distinct allergy to many spirits.

Another legend says it was invented in Galveston, Texas by Santos Cruz for a favorite patron of his, singer Patty Lee. These are just a couple of the stories of this delicious invention, and no one really knows which one is true. It’s entirely possible that they all are!

National Margarita Day Timeline

Early 1930s

Tequila Daisy and Picador are popular

Ancestors of the Margarita, these two drinks evolve, likely during prohibition when tequila would have been sourced from Mexico.[1]

1938

Carlos Herrera makes a Margarita

One of the earliest origin stories of the Margarita involves Carlos “Danny” Herrera and his restaurant called Rancho La Gloria near Tijuana. He says that he created it for dancer Marjorie King who was allergic to many spirits, but not tequila. [2]

1953

First know publication of a Margarita recipe

Esquire magazine publishes a recipe calling for an ounce of tequila, a dash of triple sec and the juice of half of a lime or lemon. Although a similar drink called “Tequila Daisy” is published 20 years earlier, this is the first with the name, “Margarita”.[3]

1971

Frozen Margaritas machines are created

Mariano Martinez, a Dallas entrepreneur, repurposes an ice cream machine and fills it with Margarita ingredients, making the first prefab frozen margarita.[4]

2008

National Margarita Day is founded

Begun by Todd McCalla, a commercial real estate agent, National Margarita Day is started with a passion for sharing the love of margaritas with the world.[5]

A Friendly Note: Do be careful, as Tequila has been known to T’kill’ya if you drink too much (or at least it may make you wish you were dead). So it’s best to know where the limits are.

The good news is that virgin margarita drinks (with the limey-orangey flavor but without the alcohol) can be consumed with much less risk. This is also an excellent option for those who need to work on National Margarita Day but would still like to celebrate with a lunch-time cocktail (or mock-tail).

National Margarita Day