Ditch the triple sec, excessive salt and the eponymous Margarita glass!
Nothing says authentic Mexico quite like a Margarita. Or does it? This potent “bebida” was invented somewhere near Rosarita (Northern Baja) in the early 1930’s for a B-list American movie star named Marjorie King. Marjorie was allergic to all hard alcohol except tequila and she didn’t find the spirit palpable on its own due to its brawny wallop. Thus, Cointreau and lime juice were added, it was shaken and served over shaved ice with a slightly salted rim. The original inventor, Carlos “Danny” Herrera, essentially made what he called a “girly drink” out of the entire tequila shot experience: the lick of salt, the shot and the lime chaser. Since then, the Margarita (Spanish for Marjorie) has gained worldwide popularity and continues to be one of the world’s most beloved adult beverages. Like all things popular, it became corrupted, and not in a very good way. The main bastardization coincided with the processed food revolution and the kitchy booze movement from the 70’s and 80’s, producing many watered-down, overly sweet drinks, unrecognizable to the originals.
