Unlike Jimmy Buffett, I am thankfully not wasting away in Margaritaville, but have enjoyed more than the occasional Margarita in my time. Today, I read an article in the LA Times exploring the origins of the Margarita, which has to be one of the most popular drinks for both new and more experienced drinkers, especially on Cinqo de Mayo.

Like every great “invention”, the Margarita has more than its fair share of those claiming to be its original creator, probably because there are no patents available for cocktails.

The most interesting version of the mystery behind the Margarita  involves Jazz singer Peggy Lee. According to the story which may or may not be true, she first introduced the Margarita at a 1948 Christmas party in Acalpuco for the founder of the Hilton hotels, Lana Turner and John Wayne. It was such a big hit amongst the illustrious crowd that she later had Santos Cruz, a Galveston, Texas bartender re-create the drink for her in the then-famous Balinese Room.

Although Peggy Lee’s Margaritas may have added more than a hint of festiveness to her now-famous Christmas party, there is significant evidence that she was not the first person to actually create the delicious cocktail mixture. An English book of cocktail recipes published nearly ten years earlier contained a recipe for the Picador, which has exactly the same ingredients as a Margarita.

This means of course, that the English were more than likely drinking Margaritas before the Americans and possibly even before the Mexicans, which I find hard to believe.  There is some speculation, however, that the author of the book could have traveled to Mexico for a portion of the recipe as he was actually one of the few people who could have afforded plane tickets back in the 30’s.   

The LA Times Margarita expert debunks the idea that the Margarita was first created in Mexico, so if you are drinking Margaritas by the pool in your sombrero, just remember that the sombrero is really from Mexico, but your Margarita is not as traditional as you might believe.  

For those of you wanting a great Margarita recipe without using the Margarita mix, try this recipe:

• 1/3 Part Blanco Tequila
• 1/3 Part Cointreau
• 1/3 Lime Juice