29 Jun International Margarita Day
The history of the Margarita is, as befits a true classic, shrouded in mystery. No fewer than 4 different people can be identified as the inventors of this cocktail, although to this day (which happens to be International Margarita Day) hardly any Margaritas are drunk in Mexico. The famous Cafe Royal Cocktail Book, published in 1937 by William J. Tarling, describes the Picador, which contains tequila, Cointreau and lime juice. However, it was Esquire who first mentioned the Margarita in 1953. Perhaps not the most plausible story, but the most interesting (after all, a good story doesn’t have to be true) is that of Carlos “Danny” Herrera. He claims in his memoirs from 1992 that he created the cocktail in Tijuana in 1938. He made this cocktail for Marjorie “Margarita” King, a showgirl who turned out to be allergic to all spirits except tequila. Sure. The Margarita most likely originated during Prohibition between 1920 and 1933. Wealthy Americans traveled to London, Paris and Cuba to enjoy real liquor. And they traveled to Tijuana, which was just across the border with Mexico. The city is still a destination for Americans who like to party. Because the Margarita consists of only three elements, it is important that they are all of good quality. Your supermarket can provide good limes, for Tequila and Triple Sec you have to go to the liquor store. From the selection of tequilas, it is important to pay attention to one small indication on the label: 100% Agave. Then you know you have something good in your hands. The other alcoholic component is Triple Sec, of which Cointreau is the most famous. Here too: make sure you invest in a good orange liqueur. At home, you can shake the carefully chosen ingredients well, but not before you have prepared the glasses: cut a lime in half and rub it along the glass to wet the top centimeter. Turn the glass upside down and sprinkle salt on the glass – this way it does not get into your glass. Now you can shake the cocktail with lots of ice: 50 ml good blanco Tequila, such as Don Julio or Arette, 25 ml Triple Sec and 25 ml fresh lime juice. Then fine-strain this into the glass. Of course, you can also drink the margarita on the rocks, or as Tommy’s Margarita: replace the triple sec with agave syrup. You can buy this at any organic store. Happy Margarita Day!
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