45 Comments
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Priya Iyer's avatar

What a great story!

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Kimber S Prewit's avatar

Wow, what a great story! I enjoyed reading this beautiful piece of history (herstory?)💞

When I turned 21, my first “official” drink happened to be a Margarita. I ended up not liking the taste of the one that was made, but I’ve had a few others since then and have enjoyed them very much, even though I’m not a big drinker, lol

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Lucinda Blackwood's avatar

Another good story, Jeanine. Don't we love to know all things, who, why, where and how and you have a talent for entertaining writing that tells the tale. And, don't we love a Margarita, too. Uh, it's 5 O'clock somewhere, gotta go.

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Oh definitely Lucinda! In all counts. And this story is just too cute-meet, no? I actually found an old photo of Marjorie. I probably should have included it.

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Kristi Keller 🇨🇦's avatar

Is this a true story? I love it! Learning history on the most basic things we take for granted is so cool.

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Straight from NPR and the San Diego Union Tribune. So I say ja ja ja!! As said in Mexico):

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Kristi Keller 🇨🇦's avatar

So awesome. Thanks for sharing it with us.

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Paulette Bodeman's avatar

Oh, what a delightful story and read. I also love the photo of the Mexican desert filled with such gorgeous Saguaro cacti.

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Thank you Paulette! I love the story too. And can just see "Danny" Hererra calling out, "Margarita, Margarita!"

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Holly Starley's avatar

Oh my goodness, I love learning about these origins. Also did not know there was a margarita day. I must put it in my calendar and celebrate it always. Thanks for another great post, Jeanine.

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Thanks Holly! I know, weird that there IS a margarita day. I just heard about it a few years ago, and it's a great time to write about how it got the name. Which I love.

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Ellen Anne Shapiro's avatar

very fun story, well told. I like my margaritas with mezcal..

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Thanks Ellen! A fun one to pull together.

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Mike Leavy's avatar

Lovely story, Jeanine - pour one out for me!

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Claro que si!! Mil gracias y salud, Mike!

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Lisa Marks's avatar

Love this post, Jeanine! 🧡

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Thanks so much Lisa! It’s a fun story. And thank you for the restack too!! Salud!

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Marlo Leaman's avatar

Thanks for the history on this! Loved it- salud!

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

I love it too. So glad I happened to catch it while driving, serendipity! Viva Mexico!

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Gary Gruber's avatar

Do you know these other versions?

David Daniel "Danny" Negrete is said to have created the drink in 1936 when he was the manager of Hotel Garci Crespo in Tehuacán, Puebla, Mexico. His girlfriend, Margarita, apparently liked salt in her drinks, and the story goes that he created the drink for her as a present. And then this one: According to Jose Cuervo, the cocktail was invented in 1938 by a bartender in honor of Mexican showgirl Rita de la Rosa. Hussong's Cantina also claims to have been the site of the margarita's creation in Ensenada, Baja California, in 1941. Regardless of its origin, I like Margaritas and have a favored recipe I can share with anyone interested.

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Not all of them. Thanks for sharing! I’d heard the Hussong’s one only. I love the name Rita de la Rosa. Has quite a ring.

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Food and Fiesta's avatar

Love it! Great to learn the history behind my fave cocktail! 😍

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Thank you! It’s such a great story.

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Paulette Bodeman's avatar

Yes.

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Lana's avatar

A very enjoyable read! Nice to know the story behind this fanciful drink.

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Thank you Lana!

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Thomas D’Arcy O’Donnell's avatar

.. totally brilliant ! Gracias !

(might one former bartender humbly add - have invented two cocktails - one for those not imbibing in alcohol & another invented in the Turks & Caicos Islands - named ‘Somewhere On The Beach’ !)

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Hello and thank you! So glad you enjoyed the story but must admit I was merely reporting it. But do love that he invented a cocktail that used the basics of the true Mexico go-to--tequila shooter, lime and salt. Re inventing cocktails, how fun. And neat you make them w/ and w/out alcohol.

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Thomas D’Arcy O’Donnell's avatar

.. a fabulous tale & well told ! As mentioned to another ‘stacker here yesterday evening - ‘Inspiration’ is often found while replying / commenting on the delightful posts of others.. Will be sure to update you re the ‘Somewhere On The Beach’ origin which my Love, Anne prefers with tequila - not vodka.. This as well as the recipe for my non alcoholic Caesar - essentially indistinguishable from its vodka based counterpart ! & yes I have tales from Mexico as well.. Have you spotted my recent Note - the Fishermen Category from the astonishing Portfolio of moiseslevy.com ? You’re in for an astonishing treat if not ! 🦎🏴‍☠️

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Wow. Moises Levy is unbelievable! Fantastic! And loved the fishermen category, but didn't see your note, sorry. Do let me know how the Somewhere cocktail morphs turn out. I'm not a vodka fan, really not too much into hard liquor, but do love margaritas. And yes, on notes replies, we can all get inventive, if not occasionally inspired. A pleasure to meet you! Send along that note you mentioned. And thanks again re turning me on to Moises, wow.

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Clarice Dankers's avatar

What a fun story! I had never thought about who invented Margaritas before. I'm a wine drinker myself and rarely order mixed drinks. But when I do, they are almost always Margaritas.

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Thanks Clarice! Until I heard the NPR eulogy I really hadn’t thought about the history—I just enjoyed them ): but the story really is compelling and fun. And knowing Mexico, I can just see him calling out “Margarita! Margarita!” when their cars showed up bc it’s the Mexico way. Excitement at seeing dear friends. Gracias!

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