It’s National Margarita Day

In case you needed an excuse to indulge, Feb. 22 is National Margarita Day.

According to the Smithsonian, there are many stories about how the margarita came to be.

One story says that Carlos "Danny" Herrera developed the drink at his Tijuana-area restaurant, Rancho La Gloria, around 1938. He's said to have created the drink for a frequent customer who was allergic to all hard liquor besides tequila. To make the liquor less potent for his client, Herrera combined a traditional tequila shot with other elements, including a salted rim and a wedge of lime.

Another story says Margarita Sames, a wealthy Dallas socialite, created the drink when she made it for friends at her Acapulco vacation home in 1948. Yet another story says Anthony Dias Blue was the first person to import Jose Cuervo to the United States. The Complete Book of Spirits says he advertised the drink with the tagline, “Margarita: it’s more than a girl’s name,” in 1945. Regardless of which story is correct, the world’s first frozen margarita machine was invented in 1971 by Dallas restaurateur Mariano Martinez. It was acquired in 2005 by Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

Whether frozen, blended or on the rocks, a margarita is the perfect drink for any festive party or celebratory occasion.

The Food Network offers a simple classic margaritas recipe for those interested in celebrating National Margarita Day.

Cox Media Group