National Margarita Day

National Margarita Day History

National Margarita Day seeks to appreciate the tequila-based alcoholic cocktail. A margarita is a cocktail made of tequila, triple sec, and either lime or lemon juice served in a glass with salt on the rim. The origin of the margarita is unclear as many bartenders around the world have laid claim to the drink's creation. Several bartenders and restaurant owners in Mexico allege to have created the drink for a female friend with a name similar to Margarita. Given that the cocktail contains tequila, the drink may have originated somewhere in Mexico.

National Margarita Day is believed to have emerged in the 1990s. It is observed annually on February 22nd.

Top 10 Facts for National Margarita Day in 2026

• The Spanish word for "daisy" is "margarita," reflecting the drink’s likely evolution from the Tequila Daisy cocktail style that was popular during the prohibition era.
• While multiple origin stories exist, one of the most prominent credits Carlos "Danny" Herrera with inventing the drink in 1938 at his restaurant, Rancho La Gloria, for a dancer who was allergic to most spirits except tequila.
• Mariano Martinez revolutionized the beverage industry in 1971 by repurposing a soft-serve ice cream machine to create frozen margaritas, and his original machine is now a permanent historical artifact at the National Museum of American History.
• The massive success of the 1977 Jimmy Buffett song Margaritaville is widely credited with transforming the cocktail into an international symbol of leisure and island culture.
• Industry statistics reveal that consumers in the United States drink an average of 185,000 margaritas every hour, maintaining its position as the most frequently ordered cocktail in the country.
• The Margarita Trail in Santa Fe, New Mexico, serves as a significant cultural attraction by offering a dedicated pass for visitors to sample dozens of unique, handcrafted versions of the drink at local establishments.
• Authentic tequila used in the cocktail is derived exclusively from the Blue Weber agave, a plant that requires between six and ten years of growth before it contains enough sugar to be harvested.
• The first official publication of a recipe for the drink appeared in 1953 when it was featured as the Drink of the Month in a popular lifestyle magazine.
• The largest version of the cocktail ever recorded was an 8,500-gallon concoction created in Las Vegas, which required a tank standing over 16 feet tall to hold the mixture.
• Current trends for the upcoming season of National Margarita Day suggest a move away from traditional fruit flavors toward savory, culinary-inspired profiles that incorporate herbs and exotic peppers.

In the News and Trending in the US for National Margarita Day

Top things to do in the US for National Margarita Day

• Make Margaritas! The most popular variations according web search traffic in descending order are: strawberry margarita, skinny margarita, patron margarita, mango margarita.
• Go on a tequila distillery tour to learn more about the art of making tequila. One popular destination is the Mexican State of Jalisco from which Tequila originated.
• Visit your local tavern, bar or restaurant on National Margarita Day as most will offer discounts and specials to celebrate.
• Try a spin on the traditional margarita with these unique flavor combinations:
  1) Strawberry Siracha Margarita
  2) Roasted blueberry basil margarita
  3) Lavender Margarita
• Attend a margarita festival. Here are some margarita festivals from across the United States:
  1) Tampa Bay Margarita Festival
  2) Chicago Margarita Festival
  3) Texas Margarita Festival
  4) Mammoth Margarita Festival
  5) Margarita March