National Margarita Day is celebrated each year on February 22. The day honors the well-known cocktail made with tequila, triple sec, and fresh lime juice, often served with a salted rim. Margaritas can be enjoyed on the rocks, blended with ice, or mixed with fruit flavors such as strawberry or mango.
The observance was established in 2008 by Todd McCalla, who by the way also founded National Drink Wine Day and National Tequila Day, to share his appreciation for the drink and to promote the use of fresh ingredients instead of pre-made commercial mixes. The day also encourages people to visit local restaurants or tequila bars and explore different styles of the cocktail.
🍹 Did you know that there are dozens of drinking days celebrated throughout the year?
The Story Behind the Margarita
The exact origin of the margarita is debated, and no single inventor has been confirmed. Most stories place its creation in the 1930s or 1940s, likely along the Mexico–United States border, such as in Tijuana or Texas, where tequila-based drinks were becoming more popular.
One popular story credits Carlos “Danny” Herrera, who is said to have created the drink in 1938 at his restaurant in Baja California for a showgirl named Marjorie King who could tolerate tequila but was allergic to other spirits.
Another version credits Margarita Sames, a Dallas socialite who is said to have served the drink to friends at her home in Acapulco.
🍹 Four Surprising Margarita Facts
If you’re sipping a lime-rimmed glass today, here are four surprising margarita facts you may not have heard before.
🌼 Why It’s Called a “Margarita”
The word margarita means daisy in Spanish. In the 1930s, a “Daisy” was a style of cocktail made with a spirit, citrus juice, and a sweetener. When tequila replaced brandy in that formula, the drink became the Tequila Daisy—or, in Spanish, the Margarita.
❄️ The First Frozen Margarita Machine
The original frozen margarita machine was a modified soft-serve ice cream maker. In 1971, Mariano Martinez of Dallas adapted a 1950s Taylor machine to meet high customer demand. The machine is now displayed at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.
🧂 Salted Rim
The salt rim serves a purpose beyond appearance. Salt reduces bitterness and enhances the sweet and sour notes of the lime and agave, making the drink taste smoother and more balanced.
⛏️ Scurvy Prevention
During the California Gold Rush, miners reportedly drank a mixture of tequila and lime. While not a health drink by modern standards, the high Vitamin C content in the fresh lime juice was a genuine medical benefit for sailors and miners at the time.
How People Celebrate National Margarita Day
National Margarita Day is the perfect excuse to shake things up and enjoy this classic cocktail. From relaxing at home to exploring new flavors with friends, there are plenty of ways to make the day memorable:
- Have a Margarita Night at Home: Invite friends over for a margarita night. Try different flavors, experiment with recipes, and enjoy a relaxed evening together.
- Visit a Mexican Restaurant: Go to a Mexican restaurant offering margarita specials and enjoy a drink with tacos or nachos for an easy, festive way to celebrate National Margarita Day.
- Add a Fun Salt or Sugar Rim: Switch up your margarita by adding flavored rims. Use spicy salt, coconut, or even sugar to bring a fun twist to each sip.
- Learn a Bit About Tequila: Learn about tequila varieties. Discovering types like blanco or reposado adds a new layer to your margarita experience, making it even more enjoyable.
🍹 National Margarita Day Upcoming Dates
National Margarita Day is celebrated every year on February 22. The date stays the same, while the weekday changes.
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | February 22 | Sunday |
| 2027 | February 22 | Monday |
| 2028 | February 22 | Tuesday |
| 2029 | February 22 | Thursday |
| 2030 | February 22 | Friday |
