Margaritas have made their way into nearly every bar, restaurant, and celebration across the world. But where did this iconic cocktail come from? The margarita has held strong as the most popular cocktail in the world for the last nine years. Its spicy alter-ego has even hit the big screens and music charts, premiering in Ryan Gosling’s “Spicy Margarita” tete-a-tete in The Fall Guy, and Jason Derulo and Michael Buble’s hit song “Spicy Margarita.” Interestingly, Margarita’s origin story is an illusive cocktail of legends.
We are diving into all of these historical margarita stories. Review these legends to decide for yourself the most likely birthplace of the famed margarita.
Many People Have Claimed to Invent the Margarita for Nearly 100 Years.
The Margarita’s Origins: A Tale of Tradition, Mystery, and Alma Finca
Few cocktails inspire as much debate and celebration as the margarita. With its vibrant mix of tequila, citrus, and orange liqueur, this iconic drink has captivated palates worldwide. While countless legends claim its invention, one story ties the margarita’s history to Alma Finca’s modern mission: to honor Mexico’s rich culinary tradition by elevating the margarita to new heights with exceptional orange liqueur.
1. Alma Finca: Honoring Margarita’s Origins Through Innovation
The margarita’s earliest days revolve around a crucial ingredient: orange liqueur. One origin story claims the margarita was inspired by a desire to craft a cocktail that showcased fresh, macerated orange liqueur as its star ingredient, paired with Mexico’s renowned tequila. This idea forms the basis of Alma Finca’s vision to elevate the margarita by spotlighting the tropical brightness of the Yucatán in every sip.
Alma Finca was created with the purpose of setting a new standard for the margarita. Alma Finca derives its name from two Spanish words: Alma, meaning soul, and Finca, meaning estate. Together, they embody the vibrant spirit, breathtaking landscapes, and deep-rooted culinary heritage of the Yucatán Peninsula. By capturing the essence of Mexico’s vibrant flavors, Alma Finca bridges the past and present, paying homage to the country’s culinary legacy while offering a contemporary twist to the world’s most beloved cocktail.
2. Danny Negrete and Margarita: A Love Story in a Glass
In 1936, at the Hotel Garci Crespo in Tehuacán, Mexico, David Daniel (Danny) Negrete crafted a cocktail for his girlfriend, Margarita. Combining tequila, lime, and orange liqueur, he named the drink in her honor. His concoction wasn’t just about love—it celebrated the balance of flavors that has since defined the margarita: the bright tang of lime, the richness of tequila, and the smooth sweetness of orange liqueur.
Danny’s margarita story remains one of the most compelling. Unlike others, it’s rooted in a gesture of affection, tying the drink to romance and creativity. His tale complements Alma Finca’s ethos, which celebrates passion and artistry in every bottle.
3. Rancho La Gloria and Marjorie King
Another prominent tale originates from 1938 at Rancho La Gloria, a restaurant in Tijuana. Carlos “Danny” Herrera crafted the margarita for actress Marjorie King, who reportedly couldn’t drink anything but tequila. To elevate her usual tequila shot, Danny blended it with lime, orange liqueur, and salt. The result was a drink with irresistible flavor—and the name “margarita,” inspired by Marjorie.
This story captures the margarita’s spirit as a drink born from ingenuity and a desire to delight. Like Alma Finca, Danny Herrera’s creation brought a touch of sophistication to tequila, transforming it into something extraordinary.
Margarita Popularity Skyrockets
One fact for certain is that no matter who concocted the margarita, this savory tart cocktail has swept the nation. It climbed the booze totem pole in the 1950s when Esquire magazine dubbed it the “drink of the month.” In 1971, the US put its claim on the margarita when the Texans rebranded it as the frozen margarita, which only amplified its popularity and became one of the most iconic drinks worldwide.
The Margarita, Reinvented
Each origin story, whether about romance, innovation, or celebration, reflects the margarita’s timeless appeal. Alma Finca continues this tradition by embracing the cocktail’s history while raising the bar for margarita enthusiasts worldwide.
How our Margarita is Crafted
Our Margarita begins with Alma Finca – it sets the tone of our exclusive recipe with Bitter Oranges native to Mexico and expands the flavor profile by incorporating Sweet Oranges, Sweet Orange leaves, Persian Lime leaves, and Lemon leaves, enhancing the depth of our Orange Liqueur. To complete the blend, we include Allspice and Achiote, both sourced directly from the bustling Mérida market in Yucatán.
Our Margarita Recipe
- 0.75 oz Alma Finca Orange Liqueur
- 1.5 oz Tequila
- 0.75 oz lime juice
- 0.25 oz agave syrup
- Garnish: salt rim, lime wheel
Mix all your margarita ingredients into a shaker with ice. Strain into your favorite glass with a salt rim over fresh ice. Garnish with a lime wheel.
With its exceptional orange liqueur, Alma Finca invites you to sip on the vibrant legacy of Mexico and reimagine the margarita as more than a drink—it’s an experience.
