7 ways to celebrate National Margarita Day — as if you needed an excuse to drink one

The perfect combination of tequila, lime and a splash of orange liquor, the margarita is the most popular cocktail in America, according to the 2019 Nielson survey. The margarita has been a well-loved drink since the 1950’s, when the recipe was first published in Esquire magazine.

According to legend, the cocktail was designed to be a crowd pleaser. One origin story of this cocktail claims that the drink was created for picky Ziegfeld actress Marjorie King, who claimed to be allergic to every liquor except tequila. Tijuana restaurant owner Carlos “Danny” Herrera added citrus to cut the taste of the tequila and gave his new cocktail the Spanish version of the name of the lady who inspired it — Margarita.

Whether this story is fact or fiction, we are happy to have this easy drinking cocktail on drink lists throughout Charlotte. We put together a quick guide of places to imbibe and enjoy a marg (or several) this weekend (Feb. 22 is National Margarita Day, so some of these restaurants are doing deals. See below.)

Is your favorite margarita on the list? Let us know which Charlotte ‘rita is your favorite in the comment section.

(1) El Thrifty Social

1115 N. Brevard St.

At El Thrifty Social, you can pair your favorite ‘rita with scratch-made Mexican food or sip it while playing games such as duckpin bowling, cornhole or shuffleboard.

Margarita options include:

• The King Eddie ($9) - Olmeca Altos Plata, Rosé, orange and lime

• El Thrifty Margarita ($9) - Olmeca Altos Plata, orange liqueur, lime

• La Gringarita ($11 ) - Cabo Wabo Blanco, Super Juice, lime, agave

• Mezcalita ($12) - Ilegal Mezcal Joven, orange, lime, agave

(2) Gallery Bar at The Ballantyne

10000 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy.

All three of the Gallery Bar’s specialty margaritas are $10, a $5 discount from the normal price of $15, all week through National Margarita Day, Feb. 22. Each of the margaritas was created by and named after one of the Gallery’s top bartenders.

Margarita options include:

• Valerie’s Smoky Eye - a fruity, mezcal-based cocktail made with chambord and lime

• Eric’s Respacito - a classic margarita featuring Grand Marnier and served with a shot on the table

• Robbie’s Heavenly Inferno - a spicy margarita made with pineapple juice and habanero-infused simple syrup

(3) Paco’s Tacos and Tequila

6401 Morrison Blvd.

Paco’s has plenty of great margarita choices on its menu, and it also has come up with a special margarita that will be served for one day only this Saturday. This special edition marg, “Every Rosemary Has a Thornitos,” is made with a Hornitos Plata infusion of strawberry, blueberry and rosemary, homemade sour and lime juice.

Other margarita options include:

• Cucumber Jalapeño Margarita ($10) - Jose Cuervo Tradicional silver tequila, cucumber puree, lime juice, house sour, shaken with fresh slices of jalapeño.

• Rusty el Camino ($10) - Sauza Hornitos Reposado tequila, Cointreau, blood orange, lime juice & house sour

• Margarita with No Name ($8) - el Jimador Blanco 100% blue agave tequila and house-made sour

(4) Sabor

Various locations

Sabor is a great spot for no-frills margs paired with street food from across Latin America. For National Margarita Day, Sabor is offering $5 Amigos Margaritas all day. This special is also available each Friday, so you can celebrate the start of every weekend.

Margarita options:

• Amigos Margarita (usually $5.95, $5 on National Margarita Day) - House tequila, Triple Sec and fresh-squeezed lime juice

• Sabor Margarita ($7.95) - 1800 Silver Tequila, Cointreau and fresh-squeezed lime juice

• Mucho Sabor Margarita ($9.95) - Patron Silver tequila and Grand Marnier with fresh-squeezed lime juice

(5) Superica

101 W. Worthington Ave.

Tex-Mex joint Superica offers a menu of margaritas and tequila-based cocktails to satisfy every flavor preference, including frozen and smoky mezcal-based options. Enjoy yours with a side of Queso Fundido and tortillas ($10) or Chicken Fajita Nachos ($14) to share with friends.

• El Frio ($9) - El Jimador Blanco, Stirrings triple sec and fresh lime, served frozen

• THE O.G ($9) - El Jimador Reposado, Stirrings triple sec, fresh lime, short and strong, served up or on the rocks

• Matador ($12) - El Jimador Blanco, pineapple, lime, cilantro, served up

(6) The Wine Loft

2201 South Blvd.

This ritzy wine and liquor bar has two margarita features priced at $13 for National Margarita Day. Order some delicious tapas to taste alongside your drinks, such as a Mezze Plate ($11), trio of house-made dips: Garlic-Feta, Hummus and Tzatziki; or Baked Brie en Croute for Two ($14), brie baked in a pastry shell topped with vanilla infused honey, walnuts and cranberries. If friends that aren’t tequila fans come along, they can choose from the Wine Loft’s selection of 50 wines by the glass and 100 wines by the bottle.

Margarita options:

• Classic ($13)

• El Jefe ($13)

(7) Three Amigos

2917 Central Ave.

Three Amigos Mexican Grill and Cantina in Plaza Midwood will offer its house margaritas for $6 all day. Pair your marg with an authentic Mexican dish such as Pollo en Mole ($10.49), chicken in a fresh-made mole sauce, or Bistec Encebollado ($11.95), a Mexican style steak, grilled and topped with grilled onion and jalapeño.

Margarita options:

• House Margarita (usually $8.49, $6 on National Margarita Day) - House tequila, Triple Sec, fresh lime

• Premium Margarita ($10.75) - choice of Jose Cuervo 1800, Cazadores or Carazon tequila, Patron Citronage, fresh lime

• Top Shelf Margarita ($12.75) - Created with Patron Silver tequila and Patron Citronage or Grand Marnier.