Punxsutawney Phil may have predicted 6 more weeks of winter, and while I’m not quite ready to say “adios” to icy sidewalks and wearing hoodies indoors, National Margarita Day is the perfect excuse to welcome in the warmer weather. With the first day of spring just around the corner, what better way to get in the spirit of the season than to celebrate a holiday dedicated to everyone’s favorite drink: National Margarita Day!

Margarita Day 2017 Drink Guide

According to research conducted by Nielsen, the humble Margarita is America’s most popular cocktail, and Tequila is currently the favorite liquor base for cocktails.  To satisfy the national craving, we have recipes both old and new that are perfect for you to serve, sip, and savor this February 22nd!

3 Fun Consumer Facts about the Margarita:

Here are some of the statistics the Nielsen survey had on Margarita consumption in the United States.

• Tequila (44%) is the favorite liquor base for cocktails in the U.S., followed by: light rum (39%), flavored Vodka (39%), non-flavored Vodka (39%) and whiskey (27%)
• Margarita (60%) is the most popular cocktail in the U.S., followed by: Daiquiri (44%), Piña Colada (36%), Long Island (33%) and Mojito (29%)
• Chilli’s® consumers are 7% more likely to try a margarita (67%) than the U.S. average (60%)

Classic Margaritas

Casmigos Classic Margarita

Recipe and image courtesy of Casamigos Tequila.

• 1.5 oz. Casamigos Blanco Tequila
• 1 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
• .25 oz. Fresh Orange Juice
• .5 oz. Agave Nectar
• .5 oz. Orange Liqueur

Combine all ingredients to iced mixing glass. Shake vigorously for 10 count. Pour all contents into a rocks glass with or without salted rim. Garnish with a lime. 

Jimirita

• 1 ½ oz el Jimador Tequila
• ½ oz Triple Sec
• 3 oz Sour Mix (Don’t use any of that bottled stuff, make your own!)

In a shaker filled with ice, add ingredients and shake to mix. Pour into margarita glass rimmed with salt (optional). Garnish with a lime wedge.

Fizzy Margaritas

Korbelrita

Recipe and image courtesy of el Jimador Tequila.

• 1 ½ oz el Jimador Tequila
• ½ oz Triple Sec
• 3 oz Sour Mix (for God’s sake make your own!!)
• 187ml Korbel California Champagne
• Glass: Pint Glass or Traditional Margarita Glass

In a shaker filled with ice, add ingredients and shake to mix. Pour into a pint glass or a traditional margarita glass rimmed with salt (optional). Flip the Korbel upside down into your glass, or top cocktail with champagne. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Fruity/Sweet Margaritas

Black Raspberry Margarita

• 1 ½ oz el Jimador Tequila
• ½ oz Triple Sec
• 3 oz Sour Mix
• ½ oz Chambord Liquor

In a shaker filled with ice, add ingredients and shake to mix. Pour into margarita glass rimmed with salt (optional). Garnish with a lime or blackberry.

Frosé Margarita

Recipe and image courtesy of Montelobos Mezcal.

• 2 parts Montelobos mezcal
• 1 oz rosé wine
• .75 parts fresh lime juice
• 1 part Jamaica concentrate syrup (hibiscus)
• 2-3 medium strawberries

Combine all and blend with 1 1/2 cups ice. Garnish with a half strawberry, lime wheel, and/or grated Mexican chocolate on top.

Pineapple Cilantro Margarita

Recipe and image courtesy of Casamigos Tequila.

• 2 oz. Casamigos Reposado Tequila
• 1 oz. Pineapple Juice
• .5 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
• .5 oz. Cane Sugar
• 8-10 Cilantro Leaves

Optional: 1/2 Thick Rim Sugar, Cilantro Salt (equal parts)

Combine all ingredients into tin shaker. Add ice. Shake vigorously for 8-10 seconds. Strain into rocks glass. Add ice. Garnish with 2 pineapple leaves.

Refreshing Margaritas

Watermelon Mint Margarita

Recipe and image courtesy of Casamigos Tequila.

• 1.5 oz. Casamigos Blanco Tequila
• 1 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
• .5 oz. Cane Sugar
• 4 Watermelon Chunks (1”)
• 8-10 Mint Leaves
• 2 Dashes Peychauds Bitters

Combine all ingredients into tin shaker. Muddle fruit/herbs. Add ice. Shake vigorously for 8-10 seconds. Fine strain into rocks glass. Add fresh ice. Garnish with mint sprig and watermelon chunk on skewer.

Spicy Margaritas

Habanero Margarita

Recipe and image courtesy of el Jimador Tequila.

• 1 ½ oz el Jimador Tequila
• ½ oz Lime Juice
• 3 oz Sour Mix
• 3 Dashes of Tabasco sauce

In a shaker filled with ice, add ingredients and shake to mix. Pour into margarita glass rimmed with salt (optional). Garnish with a lime wedge.

Juan to Juan

Recipe and image courtesy of Montelobos Mezcal.

• 1 part Montelobos Mezcal
• 1 part Ancho Reyes Original
• .75 part fresh lemon juice
• .5 part simple syrup
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters

Shake, serve in a coupe glass, garnish with a lemon wheel.

Spicy Cucumber Jalapeño Margarita

Recipe and image courtesy of Casamigos Tequila.

• 2 oz. Casamigos Blanco Tequila
• 1 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
• .5 oz. Sugarcane Syrup
• 2 Cucumber slices
• 1 Jalapeño Slice

Combine all ingredients into tin shaker. Muddle fruit / herbs. Add ice. Shake vigorously for 8-10 seconds. Fine strain into rocks glass. Add fresh ice. Garnish.

Té Verde Margarita

Recipe and image courtesy of Montelobos Mezcal.

• 1.25 part Montelobos Mezcal
• .75 part Ancho Reyes Verde
• .75 part strong green tea syrup
• 1 part fresh lime juice
• 5 mint leaves

Shake, serve over ice in a rocks glass, garnish with a mint sprig and lime wheel

Watermelon Jalapeño Margarita

Created by TODAY Show Style Squad member and blogger, Lilliana Vasquez. Recipe and image courtesy of Tequila Don Julio.

• 1 1/2 oz Tequila Don Julio Blanco
• 4 oz Fresh Watermelon Juice
• 3/4 oz Fresh Lime Juice
• 1 tsp Jalapeño Simple Syrup* (or add to taste)
• 1 Thinly Sliced Jalapeño
• Chili Lime Salt and Lime Wheel for Garnish

Combine Tequila Don Julio Blanco, fresh watermelon juice, fresh lime juice, jalapeño simple syrup and a jalapeño slice into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well. Strain contents into a rocks glass with fresh ice and chili lime salt rim. Garnish with lime wheel.

*Jalapeño Simple Syrup

• 1 cup Sugar
• 1 cup Water
• 1 Jalapeño (slice lengthwise and remove half of the seeds and veins)

Combine sugar and water in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir until sugar dissolves. Add jalapeño slices and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 10-12 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat. Cover and allow jalapeños to steep for 10 minutes.Strain contents and let cool.

Ideal Serving Glass: Rocks Glass

Standard Disclosure: The “A History of Drinking” team received one or more of the products mentioned above for free. Regardless, we only recommend products or services that we either personally like or believe to be of interest to our readers. If a product sucks, we will tell you in no uncertain terms. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The post 12 Classic and Creative Recipes for Margarita Day 2017 appeared first on A History of Drinking.