From the Vault Apr 10, 2003
Who was Margarita? A Celebrity, Showgirl or Socialite?
NEW YORK, Apr 10, 2003 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — The origins of the world’s great cocktails are often shrouded in mystery and as hotly disputed as certain national borders. This is certainly true of the Margarita — the magical concoction from south of the border that makes you feel like you’re on holiday, even if you’re not. Cinco de Mayo — the 5th of May — a day of Mexican unity and patriotism, is the perfect occasion to try the Ultimate Margarita (recipe below) with GranGala. The Beverage Tasting Institute recently rated this vibrant triple orange liqueur as “superior” to “all the other orange liqueur brands in fantastically flavorful margaritas …” during a taste test that bestowed GranGala with a whopping 94 out of a possible 100 points. No matter how you prefer to drink this fiesta in a glass — frozen, on the rocks, or up; salt or no salt — the bright orange flavor of the Ultimate Margarita is a crowd-pleaser every time.
The Ultimate Margarita
* 1 oz. GranGala (Triple Orange Liqueur)
* 1 oz. gold tequila
* 1 oz. lime juice or sweet & sour mix
Rub the rim of your cocktail glass with lime and spin the glass in salt. Shake GranGala Triple Orange Liqueur, tequila and lime juice (or sweet & sour mix) together with ice in a shaker. Strain into glass and garnish with a slice of lime. Enjoy with friends.
Who was Margarita? A Celebrity, Showgirl or Socialite?
There are at least 10 stories purporting to be the true origin of this sweet, sour, salty party in a glass. Not surprisingly, many center around a mysterious, seductive woman as the inspiration. The 1992 obituary of Carlos Herrara (San Diego) named him “the man who topped the tequila concoction with salt and called it a Margarita.” Herrara’s relatives say he invented the cocktail in 1938 or ’39 when he decided to combine tequila with lemon juice, shaved ice and triple sec — topping the blend off with a layer of salt on the rim of the glass. His idea for the name came from a showgirl who called herself Marjorie King who apparently was allergic to all hard alcohol except for tequila. It was in her honor that he called his drink a “Margarita.”
Another legend places the birth of this cocktail in 1940s Hollywood by Enrique Bastante Gutierez, a former cocktail champion who mixed drinks for some of the world’s most famous film stars. Apparently actress Rita Hayworth was one of his loyal customers and he invented the drink especially for her, whose real name was Margarita . . .
Yet one more story surrounds American socialite Margarita Sames who was notorious for her house parties in Acapulco during the late ’40s. Always wanting to impress her glamorous society guests she came up with the idea to mix up a new drink to chase away the hot Mexican sun. According to legend the “Margarita” was a hit and “kept the party going for two weeks.”
Contemporary bartenders have continued to refine the Margarita and the discovery of the triple orange liqueur from Italy, GranGala, has added to finesse this forties fave. So whichever story you choose to believe (or disbelieve) you’re sure to have a ‘Gran-der’ conversation over the Ultimate Margarita this Cinco de Mayo!
GranGala Triple Orange Liqueur is imported exclusively by Distillerie Stock USA Ltd. and is available nationally for a suggested retail price: $18.99/750ml
SOURCE Distillerie Stock USA Ltd.
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