Zest 817 FEATURE // The Mysterious Margarita

The Mysterious Margarita

Though it’s not clear who invented this classic cocktail, its popularity has never been greater.

BY ERIC GRIFFEY

PHOTOS BY TWIG CAPRA

Of all the cocktail origin stories swirling in the ether, the birth of the margarita may be the most colorful and widely disputed. Depending on who you believe, the ambrosial amalgam of tequila, lime, and orange liqueur was invented by one of several folks: Pancho Morales, who brought the drink stateside after he immigrated to Texas from Mexico in 1942; Carlos “Danny” Herrera, who created the beverage for dancer Marjorie King in 1938; or wealthy Dallas socialite Margarita Sames, who claimed she whipped up the cocktail for friends at her Acapulco vacation home in 1948 –– where Tommy Hilton was allegedly introduced to the cocktail and subsequently added it to the bar menu of his hotel chain.

Salsa Limon’s Classic Margarita

PHOTOS BY TWIG CAPRA

Salsa Limon’s Classic Margarita

PHOTOS BY TWIG CAPRA

Salsa Limon’s Classic Margarita

INGREDIENTS 1.5 oz of tequila 1.5 oz of lime juice 1 oz of triple sec .10 oz of agave

INSTRUCTIONS Combine ingredients and shake over ice Strain into a salt-rimmed glass Add the ice from the shaker Add a splash of Topo Chico or soda Garnish with a lime wheel

Salsa Limon’s Classic Margarita

PHOTOS BY TWIG CAPRA

The iconic margarita is essentially a tequila version of the Daisy –– a category of sour cocktails composed of spirits, citrus juices, an orange cordial, and soda water. Since “margarita” is Spanish for “daisy,” that origin story sounds likely. However it came to be, the margarita is the undisputed signature cocktail of Texas, and Fort Worth enjoys a glut of high-quality offerings.

Proper’s 50 Margarita

PHOTOS BY TWIG CAPRA

Proper’s 50 Margarita

INGREDIENTS 1.5 oz pear- and Granny Smith apple-infused tequila, .5 oz spiced- and smoke-infused Patron Citronge Limon .5 oz agave .50 oz grapefruit juice .25 oz lime juice

For our May issue, we’ve chosen to highlight five of our favorite versions. Each margarita we’ve featured –– courtesy of Del Frisco’s Grille, Proper, Reata Restaurant, Salsa Limon, and Taco Heads –– embodies the original spirit

Reata’s Billionaire Margarita

PHOTOS BY TWIG CAPRA

Reata’s Billionaire Margarita

INGREDIENTS 1.75 oz Five-year-old El Tesoro Extra Anejo Tequila .75 oz fresh lime juice .75 oz simple syrup .5 oz orange juice .75 oz Grand Marnier 1880

INSTRUCTIONS Combine tequila, lime juice, orange juice, and simple syrup into a shaker with ice. Shake and strain ingredients into large salted margarita glass over ice. Pour the Grand Marnier over the top to finish the drink. Garnish with a lime wedge of the drink with a creative twist. All of them use fresh ingredients and a premium tequila and are as colorful as they are delicious.

Reata’s Billionaire Margarita

PHOTOS BY TWIG CAPRA

The Hibiscus Margarita at Del Frisco’s Grille is made with Casa Dragones Blanco tequila, Cointreau, lime, and Monin hibiscus 13 syrup.

PHOTOS BY TWIG CAPRA

This is not meant to be a best of list or even a nod to Cinco de Mayo. We just like these five iterations of the venerable drink, and we hope they’ll inspire you to raise a glass to the unknown creator of Texas’ favorite cocktail.

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