National Margarita Day falls on February 22 every year, and here in Arizona, it's a wonderful time to enjoy this delicious drink. This is your guide to the classic margarita recipe, the surprisingly mysterious history behind the drink, and a few gift ideas for the margarita lover in your life.
How to Make a Classic Margarita (The 3-2-1 Ratio)
The easiest way to remember a perfect classic margarita is the ratio 3-2-1: three parts tequila, two parts quality triple sec, and one part freshly squeezed lime juice. That's it — no sour mix, no shortcuts.
For the triple sec, reach for something with real depth like Cointreau, Luxardo Triplum, or Combier. Cheap triple sec makes a cheap-tasting margarita. The lime juice needs to be fresh; bottled juice changes the flavor entirely, and not in a good way.
Serve it on the rocks with a salted rim, or strain it into a chilled coupe glass if you prefer it up. And if you really want to give it an Arizona twist, add a splash of prickly pear syrup. It turns the drink a gorgeous magenta and adds a subtle sweetness that plays beautifully against the lime.
Why Is There Salt on a Margarita Glass?
The salt rim isn't decoration, it's doing real work. Salt provides a flavor contrast to the sweet and sour elements of the drink, and it actually helps reduce any bitterness from the tequila. That little crunch of salt before each sip makes the citrus brighter and the whole cocktail more balanced.
Pro tip: use a coarse salt like kosher salt rather than fine table salt. You'll get a better texture and more control over how much salt hits your palate with each sip.
The History of the Margarita: Nobody Knows Who Invented It
Here's a fun fact that surprises most people: no one actually knows who invented the margarita. There are at least a half-dozen competing origin stories, and bartenders from Tijuana to Acapulco to Texas have all claimed credit. One of the most popular tales credits a socialite named Margarita Sames, who reportedly mixed the first one at her vacation home in Acapulco in 1948.
The name itself offers a clue. "Margarita" is the Spanish word for "daisy," and there was already a classic cocktail called the Daisy made with liquor, citrus, and a sweetener. Many cocktail historians believe the margarita is simply a tequila version of that older recipe, making it, quite literally, a Tequila Daisy.
Whatever its true origin, the margarita has earned its place as one of the most-ordered cocktails in the United States. It's especially beloved around Cinco de Mayo and during summer, but National Margarita Day in February gives us all a reason to enjoy one a little early in the year.
When Is National Margarita Day?
National Margarita Day is celebrated every year on February 22. You can find events, recipes, and more at nationalmargaritaday.com.
Margarita Gift Ideas for the Cocktail Lover
If someone in your life lights up at the sound of a blender or keeps their bar cart stocked with Cointreau, these are for them.
I Need a Hug(e Margarita) Flour Sack Tea Towel
This flour sack tea towel is one of our bestsellers for a reason: it says what we're all thinking. It's printed on a high-quality flour sack towel that's absorbent, durable, and funny enough to make your kitchen guests smile. It makes a perfect hostess gift, stocking stuffer, or Galentine's Day add-on.
Ultimate Fiesta Margarita Gift Basket
Our Ultimate Fiesta Margarita Gift Basket is the full experience: margarita glasses, cocktail essentials, snacks, and everything your recipient needs for a fiesta at home. We put this one together for people who want to give more than just a bottle. It's a ready-made party in a basket and one of our most popular gift sets for birthdays, housewarmings, and yes, National Margarita Day. Add your favorite tequila, and you're good to go!
Set of 3 Funny Fiesta Mexican Flour Sack Tea Towels
For the friend who decorates their kitchen with personality, this set of three fiesta-themed tea towels brings the fun. Each towel in the set features a different design, so they can rotate them out or display all three at once. They're a thoughtful, affordable gift that gets a laugh every time.
Celebrate National Margarita Day Your Way
Whether you're mixing a classic 3-2-1 on the rocks or going all-in with a prickly pear twist, February 22 is your excuse to enjoy a great cocktail. Browse our full collection of margarita-themed gifts and fiesta accessories at The Desert Tulip — because every margarita lover deserves a little something extra.
