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International Margarita Day falls on February 22nd each year, celebrating a cocktail that has remained popular since its emergence in the late 1930s or early 1940s. While the exact origins of the Margarita are debated—with numerous individuals claiming to be its creator—one story suggests it was invented for a guest allergic to all alcohol except tequila. Regardless of its true beginnings, the Margarita has never fallen out of fashion and continues to be one of the most beloved cocktails worldwide.
The Margarita and Its Roots
The Margarita belongs to the Daisy family of cocktails, which traditionally consist of a base spirit, a liqueur (typically orange-based like Triple Sec), and citrus juice (lemon or lime). Over the years, the Margarita has been reimagined in various forms, with two of the most notable variations being the Frozen Margarita and Tommy’s Margarita.
The Frozen Margarita was invented in 1971 by Mariano Martinez in Dallas, Texas. Seeking a way to speed up service, he repurposed a soft-serve ice cream machine to make frozen Margaritas, leading to the widespread popularity of the slushy-style drink.
Tommy’s Margarita was developed by Julio Bermejo in the late 1980s or early 1990s at his family's San Francisco restaurant, Tommy’s. This version gained popularity in the 2000s, coinciding with the rise of health-conscious drinking habits, and is sometimes referred to as a "Skinny Margarita."
At The Natural Philosopher, we love Margaritas. To celebrate, we're sharing our preferred recipes for a Classic Margarita, a Spicy Margarita, and a Tommy’s Margarita, so you can enjoy bar-quality drinks at home.
Classic Margarita
A well-balanced Margarita allows the tequila to shine while incorporating just the right amount of sweetness and acidity. Using 100% agave tequila is crucial for quality and minimising hangovers. Different tequila styles bring unique characteristics:
Blanco Tequila – Fresh, peppery, grassy, and vegetal.
Reposado Tequila – Aged briefly in barrels, adding cooked agave, caramel, and vanilla notes.
Añejo Tequila – Heavily aged, with warm, woody spice notes; best for sipping rather than mixing.
A proper Margarita should not be overly sweet. Using equal parts orange liqueur and sugar ensures balance without making the orange flavour dominant.
How to Make It:
Glass Preparation:
Run a lime wedge around half of the rim of a coupe glass.
Dip the wet area into flaky sea salt and shake off the excess (we use a half-rim to give guests the option of drinking with or without salt).
Alternatively, chill your glass in the freezer; condensation will help the salt stick naturally.
Ingredients:
50ml of your chosen Tequila
10ml Cointreau or other Orange Liqueur/Triple Sec
20ml freshly squeezed Lime Juice
10ml Simple Syrup (equal parts sugar and hot water, dissolved and cooled)
Method:
Add all ingredients to a shaker.
Fill with ice and shake vigorously until too cold to hold.
Fine strain into your prepared glass and enjoy immediately.
Spicy Margarita
Tequila pairs beautifully with spice, making the Spicy Margarita a modern favourite. One of the most well-known versions is the Picante de la Casa from Soho House, which has gained worldwide popularity.
At The Natural Philosopher, we ensure consistency in spice level by using Ancho Reyes Verde, a green poblano chili liqueur that provides flavour without overwhelming heat. For controlled spice, we also create a hot sauce tincture by blending 2 parts vodka and 1 part Caribbean hot sauce, making it pourable and measurable. Bars often use fresh chilis in their Margaritas but not every chili has the same level of heat. We prefer to control this variable as much as possible.
How to Make It:
Glass Preparation:
Prepare your glass with a Tajin-seasoned salt rim for an extra sour-spicy kick.
Ingredients:
40ml Tequila of your choice
10ml Ancho Reyes Verde (or a splash of chili-infused tequila)
10ml Simple Syrup
20ml freshly squeezed Lime Juice
7.5ml of hot sauce tincture for extra heat
Method:
Add all ingredients to a shaker.
Fill with ice and shake vigorously until ice-cold.
Fine strain into your prepared glass and enjoy immediately.
Tommy’s Margarita
Tommy’s Margarita swaps out the Triple Sec and sugar syrup for agave syrup, offering a lower-sugar alternative with a lower glycemic index. Unlike the Classic Margarita, this version is served over ice without a salt rim.
How to Make It:
Ingredients:
50ml Tequila of your choice
20ml freshly squeezed Lime Juice
15ml Agave Syrup (light for honeyed notes, dark for caramelised depth)
Method:
Dry shake (without ice) first to incorporate the agave syrup.
Add ice, shake vigorously until well chilled.
Strain into a rocks glass over ice and enjoy.
Raise a Glass to the Margarita!
No matter which style you prefer, there’s no wrong way to enjoy a Margarita. Whether it’s the Classic, Spicy, or Tommy’s, each version brings something unique to the table. This International Margarita Day, celebrate with one (or all) of these recipes and enjoy a bar-quality drink from the comfort of home.
Cheers!
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