Ever found yourself sipping a classic cocktail and wondering where it all began? No? Just us? Well, when it comes to the margarita, its origins are as intriguing as its taste—shrouded in a bit of mystery and legend.
One popular tale traces the margarita back to 1938, when Mexican restaurant owner Carlos “Danny” Herrera created the cocktail to impress a glamorous showgirl named Marjorie King. According to the story, tequila was the only alcohol King could tolerate, so Herrera mixed it with lime juice and a salted rim to elevate the flavor
Francisco “Pancho” Morales claimed he invented the margarita on July 4, 1942, while bartending at Tommy’s Place on Juarez Avenue in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. According to his story, a woman walked in and asked for a drink called a Magnolia—a cocktail Morales had never heard of. Thinking quickly, he improvised with a mix of tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice. The guest was delighted and asked for the name of the concoction. Without missing a beat, Morales christened it the margarita—and a classic was born.
Others believe the margarita was born a decade later, in 1948, when Texas socialite Margaret Sames mixed up the first version at a house party in Mexico. As the story goes, one of her guests happened to own a well-known chain of American hotels, and after falling for the drink, he added it to his menus, helping launch the margarita into cocktail stardom.
Texas entered the chat also in 1948. Bartender Santos Cruz claims to have created the Texas Margarita at the Balinese Room in Galveston for singer Peggy Lee and her husband, Harry Barber, after their trip to Mexico. Peggy loved the drink and asked what it was called. Cruz told her she could name it—so, according to family legend, Harry chose “margarita,” a nod to Peggy’s formal name, Margaret.
Now for the origin of the frozen margarita—an iconic invention with roots in none other than Dallas, Texas.
It all started with Mariano Martinez, a high school dropout with big dreams and just $500 to his name. With the help of a small business loan, he opened Mariano’s Hacienda in East Dallas. The sizzling fajitas and fire-roasted salsa drew crowds, but it was his margaritas that kept them coming back—well, almost.
While the flavor was a hit, the consistency wasn’t. Bartenders struggled to keep up with demand, and the quality varied from glass to glass. Determined to fix the problem, Martinez found inspiration during a routine coffee run to 7-Eleven. Staring at the Slurpee machine, a lightbulb went off.
Teaming up with friend Frank Adams, Martinez repurposed an old soft-serve ice cream machine—and just like that, the first frozen margarita machine was born. Every pour was smooth, frosty perfection, and a new chapter in cocktail history was written. The original machine can be found at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.
Whichever origin story you believe, one thing’s for sure—the creator of the margarita left an unforgettable legacy. To honor the timeless classic, we’ve rounded up some of the most iconic and unique margaritas in Texas that every cocktail lover needs to try.
Dallas: Beto & Son – Liquid Nitrogen Margarita
Just in case a frozen marg wasn’t cold enough for you
Dallas: José – Seasonal Margarita
José has a remarkable talent for pushing the boundaries, crafting margaritas that are both one-of-a-kind and irresistibly delicious. Their seasonal frozen margaritas are always rotating—each one is a fresh, limited-time flavor.
Fort Worth: Joe T. Garcia’s – Classic Margarita
It’s famous for a reason
Austin: Curra’s Grill – Avocado Margarita
Creamy, dreamy, and incredibly unique
Austin: El Alma – Chilanga
El Jimador frozen margarita, splash of orange, a dash of Valentina, and a zesty chile rim.
Austin: Gabriela’s Downtown – Cool As A Cucumber Mezcal-Rita
Simultaneously smoky and fresh
El Paso: Taconeta – Mezcal Margarita
Espadin mezcal, fresh lime juice, triple sec, fresh carrot, pineapple, and ginger
El Paso: Malolam – Mint Jamaica
Fresh hibiscus, mint and lime
Sugar Land: Mahesh’s Kitchen – Tamarind Infused Margarita
Cumin infused tequila shaken with tamarind chutney, triple sec, and fresh lime juice
Houston: Toca Madera – Ghost Rider
Blanco tequila, fresh mint, lime, agave – Plus, they light it on fire
Houston: ARMANDOS – Classic Margarita
A drink they’ve been perfecting for over 46 years
San Antonio: Ocho at Hotel Havana – Margarita De La Casa
Pueblo Viejo Blanco Tequila, Lime, Naranja Orange Liqueur, Agave – Be sure to also explore the zodiac with their featuted celestial cocktails
The Texas Roots of Your Favorite Margarita
