National Margarita Day

National Margarita Day History

National Margarita Day is dedicated to celebrating the iconic cocktail, the Margarita. The cocktail, a concoction of tequila, triple sec and lime juice, often allocated a place of honour on drink menus worldwide due to its refreshing and zesty flavour. The day is marked by celebratory offers and events at various bars and restaurants, encouraging people to enjoy the cocktail and appreciate its uniqueness. This special day also pays homage to the skilled bartenders and mixologists who continue to refine and innovate the classic margarita recipe.

There is not a definitive history on the origin of National Margarita Day and the cocktail’s origin itself remains a disputed topic with various claims to its creation from different parts of Mexico and the United States. What remains beyond dispute, however, is the enjoyment and appreciation for the cocktail in the United Kingdom. While tequila might not be a traditional British tipple, the county's fondness for international cuisine and drinks means the Margarita has gained significant popularity, featuring prominently on the menu of many British bars and restaurants.

In the United Kingdom, National Margarita Day is usually observed in a similar fashion to other parts of the world. Bars and restaurants often celebrate the occasion with a variety of special promotions, including discounted Margaritas, creative new Margarita recipes to try, or margarita tasting events. These festivities encourage patrons to explore different varieties of the cocktail and appreciate the skill and creativity that goes into crafting each one. National Margarita Day is held annually on the 22nd of February, providing a mid-winter opportunity to taste a hint of summer season with this refreshing cocktail.

Top 10 Facts for 2026 National Margarita Day in the UK

• While the origins of the tequila-based cocktail are often tied to Mexico and the United States, historical evidence suggests a strong British connection via the Café Royal Cocktail Book, which was published in 1937 and featured a drink called the Picador with identical proportions to the modern classic.
• Recent market data indicates that the drink has officially knocked the mojito off its long-held top spot to become the fastest-growing ready-to-drink cocktail in the United Kingdom.
• This resurgence is partly attributed to the Swalty culinary trend, which has seen British consumers increasingly embrace the specific combination of sweet and salty flavours in both food and drink.
• Many cocktail enthusiasts in the UK are moving away from the traditional version in favour of the Tommy's Margarita, a variation that swaps orange liqueur for agave syrup to create a crisper, more agave-forward profile.
• Tequila itself has now overtaken gin as the fastest-growing spirit across the nation, driven by a growing interest in premium 100% agave varieties that are intended for sipping rather than quick consumption.
• The cocktail has a unique place in British pop culture history, famously immortalised by the band Status Quo in their 1983 hit single Marguerita Time.
• For the 2026 observance, many bars across the country are expected to showcase Mezcal Margaritas, which use the smoky Mexican spirit to provide a deeper, more complex alternative to the standard recipe.
• Health-conscious drinkers are increasingly looking for Skinny Margaritas, which typically utilise fresh lime and soda water to reduce the sugar content found in traditional liqueurs and syrups.
• Modern palates in the UK are increasingly favouring "swicy" flavour profiles, leading to a rise in recipes that incorporate Tajín rims or infusions of fresh jalapeño and habanero.
• Despite its simple three-ingredient foundation, the cocktail has inspired record-breaking feats, including a massive version created in Las Vegas that contained over 32,000 litres of liquid.

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

Top things to do in the UK 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.
• Margarita Bar: If you are hosting a party, set up a 'Make your own Margarita' bar with a variety of tequilas, limes, salts, sugars, and fruit for guests to use and create their own custom drinks. You could also provide other mix-ins such as orange liqueur, grapefruit juice, or agave nectar for additional customization.
• Visit London Margarita Rumble: Although not always on National Margarita Day, this mixology competition gathers many cocktail bars and restaurants that compete to deliver the best margarita in the city.