That glorious day to celebrate one of America's favorite drinks is upon us! That's right, amigos, National Margarita Day is this Friday, February 22nd, a perfect day to honor a wonderful cocktail classic, the margarita; as if you needed an excuse.
Although the history of Margarita Day is a bit of a mystery, the history of the margarita itself is a legend. Claims of its origin date back to the 1940's, ranging from Mexican bartenders naming the drink after noble women named Margarita, to the drink being a tequila version of a cocktail called the Daisy. Whatever the history, it was a hit then and still is. In fact, according to the annual survey of bar managers the margarita is the most ordered cocktail around the country.
We've come up with some great ways to enjoy this time-tested-tastey on any budget this holiday, wether you want to say salud on the town or fiesta at home. Below is a list of must-try restaurants around Los Angeles that feature some of the country’s best and most distinctive margaritas.
Chipotle
Chipotle Mexican Grill offers a Classic Margarita made with White Sauza tequila,
Triple Sec, Citrus juice, and Sweet & Sour at locations nationwide, with a
price point ranging from $3.50-4.50. Like the gourmet burrito restaurant’s food
offerings, the Classic Margarita is made to order.
Casa Vega
Casa Vega, Los Angeles’ favorite 55-year-old Mexican restaurant will be offering
their award-winning Casa Vega Margarita, available Original or with Cranberry,
for the special price of $4.95 from 11:30-7 p.m. on National Margarita Day. Other
standouts from the restaurant’s extensive margarita selection include the Skinny
Margarita, made using only Partida Reposado tequila, Agave Nectar, and Fresh
Lime Juice ($10.50), and the Blood Orange Margarita, made with Patron Silver
tequila, Blood Orange Juice, Agave Nectar, and Fresh Lime ($10.50).
Napa Valley Grille
Westwood Village’s, Napa Valley Grille, features California wine country-inspired
margaritas utilizing seasonal produce from local Santa Monica and Westwood
farmers’ markets. The Apple Margarita with Gold Tequila, Triple Sec, Fresh
Granny Smith Apples, Citrus, and Apple Juice and The Cranberry Margarita
made with Gold Tequila, Triple Sec, Cranberry Juice, and a splash of Lemon
Juice are seasonal favorites during Happy Hour and Reverse Happy Hour ($5
glass/$12.50 carafe).
Chaya Brasserie Beverly Hills
CHAYA Brasserie Beverly Hills resident bartender Guido, who has been a staple
for over 25 years at this location, offers tipplers a Spicy Margarita with Triple
Sec, Spiced Tequila, Prickly Pear Puree, and Fresh Citrus for $7 at this inviting
neighborhood landmark that is a favorite of Hollywood elite.
Soleto
Soleto Trattoria & Pizza Bar, IDG’s newly opened Downtown neighborhood spot,
serves approachable, classic Italian fare and features a Mediterranean-inspired
margarita that is a perfect spin on the classic. Called Il Solo Messicano (Italian
for “The Only Mexican”), this fresh cocktail infuses Cazadores Tequila, Fresh
Lime, and Agave Nectar with traditionally Italian aperitifs Campari and Sambuca
Agrumi and is topped with Fresh Grapefruit Juice, available for $13.
Fig & Olive
At West Hollywood’s French Riviera-inspired dining destination, FIG & OLIVE
Melrose Place, mixologist Michael Loomis concocts the El Matador ($14) with
Tequila, Rum, Fresh Lime Juice, housemade Cilantro Syrup, and muddled
Jalapeño, available for $14. The combination of heat mixed with the flavors of
lime and cilantro is a refreshing take on the classic cocktail.
Red O Restaurant
Rick Bayless’ Red O will be serving up an extra dose of celebration for the
holiday by providing a complimentary margarita to all diners on Friday, February
22nd, and will also be offering a special sampler trio of signature margaritas
for $25 (not available during Street Food Social Hour). In addition to these
special plans, the restaurant also offers guests a taste of tequila luxury with their
signature Benjamin Margarita for $100, made with three types of extra anejo
tequila including Gran Patron Burdeos, Partida Elegante, Herradura Seleccion
Suprema, Grand Marnier Cuvee du Cent Cinquantenaire, Fresh Squeezed
Mexican Lime Juice, Organic Agave Syrup, served with Housemade Lime Sorbet
ice cubes and finished with Louis XIII Cognac, Blood Orange Caviar, and edible
Gold and Kosher Salt rim. In addition to The Benjamin, Red O mixes up an
extensive list of regularly priced margaritas, ranging from the spicy Alacran for
$14 to the classic Gran Platinum for $35.
Tortilla Republic
Serving contemporary Mexican cuisine in a chic environment, Tortilla Republic is
located in the heart of West Hollywood on Robertson Boulevard, between Santa
Monica and Melrose. For National Tequila Day, the restaurant will be offering
their House Social Pitcher for $40 (normally $50), made with Tequila Blanco,
Triple Sec, Housemade Agave, and Fresh Sweet Lime.
If going to any of these venues doesn't satisfy your craving for margaritas, or you want to keep the fiesta at home, slap on your sombrero and start whipping up some magic in the kitchen with these great recipes:
Tuna* Cooler
(*Spanish for Prickly Pear)
“This drink is inspired by a soda commonly found in southern California called "Cactus Cooler,” and is a twist on a traditional Margarita with the addition of prickly pear purée to the recipe. This drink is, easy to make yet, unique and delicious, making it the perfect recipe for the novice at-home mixologist looking to celebrate the holiday.”
Ingredients:
1 1/2 ounces Tequila Don Julio Blanco
1/2 ounce Fresh Lime Juice
1/4 ounce Prickly Pear Purée
1/4 ounce Agave Syrup
Preparation:
-Combine Tequila Don Julio Blanco, fresh lime juice, prickly pear purée and agave syrup into a cocktail shaker with ice.
-Shake well and strain into a coupe glass (salted rim optional).
Tequila Don Julio® Luxury Margarita
Ingredients:
1 1/2 ounces Don Julio Blanco
3/4 ounce Agave Nectar
3/4 ounce Fresh Lime Juice
Lime Wedge for Garnish
Preparation:
-Build ingredients into a Boston Shaker, then add ice and shake vigorously.
-Strain over ice in a rocks glass and garnish with a lime wedge.
"Heat" Margarita
Ingredients:
1 1/4 ounces Tequila Don Julio Anejo
1/4 ounce Grand Marnier
1/2 ounce Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice
1/4 ounce Simple Syrup
1/4 teaspoon of Chipotle Chili Powder
Preparation:
-Build ingredients into a Boston Shaker, then add ice and shake vigorously.
-Line with a salt/sugar rim and strain over ice in a highball glass.
Salud!
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