A Brief, Unofficial History of the Margarita
While the official history of the margarita is a little unclear (several people have claimed to have invented it), the most popular tale credits a Tijuana restaurant owner, Carlos Herrera, with creating the classic drink back in 1938.
As the story goes, it was inspired by one of his customers, an aspiring actress who was allergic to all hard liquor except tequila. Her name was Marjorie, one of several girls’ names that translates into Spanish as Margarita.
The basic margarita recipe consists of just three ingredients: tequila, lime or lemon juice (usually with sugar called “sweet and sour”), and orange liqueur, but there are many variations. Using different tequilas (silver, reposado, or anejo), orange liqueurs (Cointreau, Grand Marnier, etc.), and different sweet and sour flavors.
While the history of the margarita may be up for some debate, where to get the best margaritas in Santa Fe is not. The people have spoken, and Tomasita’s is consistently voted the best margarita in Santa Fe, and it’s not even close.
Even better? You don’t have to come all the way to Santa Fe to get one. Now, you can get those same best margaritas in Albuquerque. That’s pretty great news for both the residents of and visitors to Albuquerque, especially if you plan on, you know, drinking margaritas.
A New Twist (of Lime): The Frozen Margarita
The first frozen margarita hit the headlines in 1971 when Mariano Martinez, an enterprising young Dallas restaurant owner, invented the frozen margarita machine. With bartenders complaining that the drink took too long to make and customers complaining that it melted too quickly, Martinez was inspired by seeing a Slurpee machine in a local convenience store. Retrofitting an old soft-serve machine, he succeeded, after some experimentation, in getting it to produce the perfect frozen margarita every time. The drink’s popularity soared.
In recognition of the cultural significance of that invention, the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C., acquired that same machine from Martinez in 2005. Viva la Fiesta!
A Further Twist on the Classic Margarita
In this spirit of margarita innovation, Tomasita’s takes it a step further.
Not only do we have the best frozen margaritas in Santa Fe, but we also have the FROGG and the SWIRL (frozen margarita with a swirl of our house-made sangria).
Our margarita variations don’t stop there.
A few years ago, the staff at Tomasita’s Albuquerque came up with a new idea: The Frozen Flight. It consists of three tastings of frozen margaritas in a variety of flavors, depending on what’s in season. For frozen margarita enthusiasts, it’s not to be missed.
Whether you prefer your margaritas frozen or classic, stop by either Tomasita’s location today and experience the best margaritas in Albuquerque and Santa Fe!
According to a 2016 consumer survey, margarita now tops the list of America’s most popular cocktails.
-
Does Albuquerque Have A Margarita Trail?
April 1, 2024The magical margarita — that marvelous concoction that’s played a role in so many good times and added such unforgettable flavor to so many memorable vacations — could very well be the most famous cocktail in the world. Many who come to Tomasita’s, Albuquerque’s favorite New Mexican food restaurant, ask us if the city has … Does Albuquerque Have A Margarita Trail?
Read more » -
Albuquerque in Summer: Perfect Time for a Margarita!
April 1, 2024As everyone who lives here knows, Albuquerque can get downright hot in the summer. When you’ve had enough of the sun and your throat is as parched as a high desert plain, it’s time to roll over to Tomasita’s and the best (and coldest) margaritas in New Mexico. Even margarita traditionalists begrudgingly acknowledge that on … Albuquerque in Summer: Perfect Time for a Margarita!
Read more » -
The Hunt To Find The Best Margarita In Albuquerque
April 1, 2024Albuquerque, New Mexico, has a rich history dating back over a thousand years. It was originally inhabited by Tiwa people whose pueblos dotted the Rio Grande Valley. In 1706, Albuquerque was founded as a Spanish colonial outpost and was named after the Duke of Alburquerque, who was the viceroy of New Spain at the time. … The Hunt To Find The Best Margarita In Albuquerque
Read more » -
The Best Margarita In Albuquerque: Just Say Tomasita’s
April 1, 2024You can’t talk about the best margarita in Albuquerque without talking about Tomasita’s, the city’s favorite New Mexican food restaurant. And you can’t talk about Tomasita’s without first talking about tequila. Tequila, like champagne, has its own set of specific rules. By Mexican law, all tequila must be made from the blue agave plant and … The Best Margarita In Albuquerque: Just Say Tomasita’s
Read more » -
Santa Fe’s Margarita Trail
February 10, 2023Nothing complements the spicy taste of Tomasita’s green or red chile like a great margarita. Whether enjoying a simple green chile chicken enchilada or a super combo with Christmas chile, a margarita makes the dinner complete. What is the perfect margarita?To a traditionalist, the ideal margarita features a balance of three basic ingredients: quality tequila, … Santa Fe’s Margarita Trail
Read more » -
Santa Fe’s Favorite Summer Time Margarita’s
August 3, 2022Tomasita’s Restaurant is located in a spacious red-brick station house on historic Guadalupe Street in the heart of Santa Fe in the Railyard District. The building formerly served as the terminus of the narrow-gauge freight trains, known as “The Chile Line.” Although the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad is now defunct, the Railyard District’s … Santa Fe’s Favorite Summer Time Margarita’s
Read more » -
How To Find & Identify The Best Margarita In Santa Fe
August 3, 2022Santa Fe was part of Mexico until the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848 ended the Mexican American War. Santa Fe was the first city in the New World to import tequila from Mexico. Therefore, it is natural that Santa Fe has a long history of importing the finest tequilas from Mexico. Tomasita’s carries on … How To Find & Identify The Best Margarita In Santa Fe
Read more » -
Best Margarita’s In Santa Fe: It’s All About The Tequila
July 27, 2022Tomasita’s has a long tradition in Santa Fe with tequila. Mexican law states that tequila, in order to be labeled as such, has to be made from the blue agave plant and can only be produced in certain areas of the country. Not so with mescal, which can be made from over 30 varieties of … Best Margarita’s In Santa Fe: It’s All About The Tequila
Read more »