It should come as no surprise that the Margarita is one of the world's most favorite cocktails. The original recipe – Cointreau, white tequila, fresh lime juice and a pinch of salt – conceived by Margaret Sames in 1948 is incredibly simple and has remained unchanged since its inception. Cointreau and the Margarita are so closely related that Sames is said to have once said that “a Margarita without Cointreau is not worth the money.” The timeless mix grew into an outright classic and served as a source of inspiration for countless variants. There's no better time to brush up on your knowledge of the Margarita cocktail!
The birth of an iconic cocktail
Acapulco, 1948. For the trendy Margarita Sames, life is one big party. In the bustling Mexican seaside town, she is the perfect hostess who spoils her guests with extravagant parties. For one of her parties, traditionally topped with sophisticated drinks, she gets the idea to mix two of her favorite drinks, tequila and Cointreau. The Margarita was born! In seventy years, the cocktail has conquered an excellent place in all bars worldwide.
Salt:just that little bit more
Salt is a powerful seasoning. Try a Margarita with and without salt for yourself and you will agree that the version with a more complex taste. This is because salt makes the taste buds more sensitive. And just like in food, it softens the bitterness and enhances the sweeter notes. So salt is one of the easiest and best ways to make the original Margarita extra spicy. Let your imagination run wild and try a pinch of Fleur de Sel de Guérande, Himalayan pink salt, Egyptian salt, Persian blue salt, or Hawaiian black salt to pimp your Margarita. Cheers!
Twist it!
Although the original recipe is an icon, there are endless variations that contribute to the success of the Margarita. The cocktail may be made to be enjoyed by a pool in sweltering Acapulco, but with the right seasonal perks, it's a hit all year round. Discover these three recipes and their unique stories, which Cointreau created as an ode to the original Margarita.
1/ The original Margarita:
The Margarita is so special in Cointreau's history that the Cointreau family has passed the recipe down from generation to generation. To do it completely like Margarita Sames, mix the following ingredients in a chess player. Shake, strain and serve in a chilled salt-rimmed glass and garnished with a lime wedge. Success assured!
30 ml Cointreau
50 ml white tequila
20 ml fresh lime juice
Ice cream
2/ Spring Margarita
This cocktail is inspired by one of the most beautiful love stories of all time – that of Emperor Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal, the Persian princess whose name means “Pearl of the Palace”. After her death, Shah Jahan was so desolate that he had a temple built for her that reflected his love for her and can only be described in one word:magnificent. This is how the Taj Mahal came into being, a contraction of the name Mumtaz Mahal. As a tribute to their legendary love, this Margarita combines oranges and roses, the respective symbols of India and Persia. Subtle detail and a nod to the love between Shah Jahan and Mumtaz is the rim of pink Himalayan salt considered the purest in the world.
30 ml Cointreau
50 ml Tequila
20 ml freshly squeezed lime juice
5 ml rose syrup
2 spritz with rose water
Tip:decorate with some rose petals
3/ Summer Margarita:
A summer without strawberries? Unthinkable. The tasty and juicy fruits that you can find all over the world are all suitable for this version of the Margarita. The salt from the Atlantic Ocean completes this cocktail and enhances the taste and aroma of the strawberry.
30 ml Cointreau
50 ml Tequila
20 ml freshly squeezed lime juice
4 strawberries
Tip:garnish with a sprig of fresh mint
