Good morning, Charleston. It’s currently 6 a.m. – which means, it’s about 11 hours until 5 o’clock. And while we don’t recommend starting every day with a countdown to happy hour, today is National Margarita Day...so we’re making an exception.
The margarita dominates cocktail sales in the United States year after year, beating out every other mixed drink for the title of ‘America’s favorite cocktail.’ Old Fashioned? More like old news.
Who masterminded the margarita, you ask? There are several popular theories out there, but the most commonly accepted story points to one man– and before you ask, no, it’s not Jimmy Buffett. His name is Carlos “Danny” Herrera. One day in the late 1930s, an actress named Marjorie King paid a visit to his Tijuana, Mexico restaurant with a special request: she wanted a drink, but was allergic to almost all hard alcohol. Except tequila. So, Herrera grabbed some tequila, lime, + salt… and, voíla! The rest is history. I guess what they say about necessity being the mother of invention is true.
To help you plan a happy hour that’s good to the last drop, we rounded up 10 margaritas available year round that *do not disappoint*:
When you need a little something extra: Cantina 76 | Texas margarita | $7.50 | “Tequila (your choice), Grand Marnier, sour, lime, + a splash of orange juice.”
For something both sweet + spicy: CO | Jalapeño guava margarita | $9.50
If you’re looking for house-made taste: Fuel | Cadillac margarita | $10 | Sauza Silver tequila, house-made sweet + sour, plus a Grand Marnier float.
When just one glass won’t do: Juanita Greenberg’s | House margarita pitcher | $18.56
When you want to have your tequila + drink beer too: La Hacienda | Margarona | $8
For health-conscious tequila connoisseurs: Mex 1 Coastal Cantina | Skinny margarita | $8 | House-infused strawberry cucumber tequila, soda water, + a splash of Mex 1 mix.
For a margarita with a kick: Minero | Spicy-style margarita | $10
For a classic, no-frills marg: Santi’s | 16 oz. house margarita on the rocks | $6
For a deal if you show up on two wheels: Taco Boy | House margarita | $6 for two | If you bike to the restaurant, tell your hostess + you’ll get BOGO margaritas.
For an Arnold Palmer… minus the tea, plus tequila: Zia Taqueria | Palapa Más | $6.50 | “A blend of fresh mint lemonade, Crème de Cassis and tequila blanco. Shaken and served on the rocks.”
