History of Margarita in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 5, 2025

A margarita is a popular cocktail comprised of tequila, triple sec, and lime juice, sometimes with simple syrup. It's traditionally served with salt on the rim of the glass and can be prepared shaken with or without ice, or blended. Often served in a distinctive 'margarita glass,' it holds the title of one of the world's most popular cocktails, especially as a tequila-based drink.

1930: Tequila-Based Cocktail Recipe

In 1930, a recipe for a tequila-based cocktail appeared in the book My New Cocktail Book by G. F. Steele.

My New Cocktail Book

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1936: Tequila Daisy Mentioned

As early as 1936, a drink called the Tequila Daisy was mentioned in the Syracuse Herald.

1936: Margarita Cocktail Found in Tijuana

In 1936, Iowa newspaper editor James Graham reportedly discovered a cocktail similar to a margarita in Tijuana, Mexico, years before other origin stories emerged.

1937: Picador Recipe in Cafe Royal Cocktail Book

In 1937, The Cafe Royal Cocktail Book in the UK published a recipe for a Picador, which used the same proportions of tequila, triple sec, and lime juice as a margarita.

1938: Jose Cuervo's Margarita Origin Story

According to Jose Cuervo, in 1938, the margarita cocktail was invented by a bartender in honor of Mexican showgirl Rita de la Rosa.

1938: Herrera's Margarita Creation for Marjorie King

In 1938, Carlos "Danny" Herrera allegedly invented the margarita at his restaurant Rancho La Gloria for Marjorie King, a former Ziegfeld dancer who was allergic to many spirits but not tequila.

1941: Hussong's Cantina Margarita Creation

In 1941, Hussong's Cantina in Ensenada, Baja California, claims bartender Don Carlos Orozco created the margarita and named it after Margarita Henkel Cesena, a frequent patron.

July 4, 1942: Morales Allegedly Mixed Margarita at Tommy's Place

On July 4, 1942, Francisco "Pancho" Morales reportedly mixed the first margarita at Tommy's Place Bar in Juárez, Chihuahua.

1945: Jose Cuervo Ad Campaign

In 1945, Jose Cuervo was running ad campaigns for the margarita with the slogan, "Margarita: It's more than a girl's name."

1947: Hernandez Popularized Margarita

After 1947, bartender Albert Hernandez is acknowledged for popularizing a margarita in San Diego at the La Plaza restaurant in La Jolla.

1947: Hernandez Sr. Introduced Frozen Margarita

In 1947, Albert Hernandez Sr. introduced the frozen margarita in La Jolla by blending the ingredients with ice.

1948: Sames' Margarita Creation in Acapulco

In 1948, Dallas socialite Margarita Sames purportedly concocted the margarita for her guests at her Acapulco vacation home.

1948: Cruz Created Margarita for Peggy Lee

In 1948, Santos Cruz, head bartender at the Balinese Room in Galveston, Texas, allegedly created the margarita for singer Peggy Lee, naming it after the Spanish version of her name.

December 1953: First Margarita Recipe Publication

In December 1953, the first known publication of a margarita recipe appeared in Esquire magazine.

December 1953: Margarita Drink of the Month

In December 1953, the margarita cocktail was featured as the "Drink of the Month" in Esquire magazine.

October 1961: Thomson's Margarita Creation

In October 1961, Robert James "Rusty" Thomson purportedly invented the margarita at a party in Houston, Texas, by mixing equal parts tequila, Controy orange liqueur, lime, and crushed ice.