Cheers to National Margarita Day!

Attention tequila lovers! The time has come to celebrate the most ordered cocktail…the Margarita!

This upcoming, Wednesday, February 22 is National Margarita Day, so put on your drinking shoes and head out to party in honor of your favorite cocktail that keeps you tipsy all night…the cocktail that made all of those memorable nights possible…the cocktail that kept the fun going long after it should’ve stopped! It’s THAT time!

The origins of the Margarita date back to 1934 in Mexico City, concocted by a barman named “Willie.” The well-known drink originally consisted of tequila mixed with orange-flavored liqueur and lime or lemon juice, often served on the rocks or over ice, with salt on the glass rim. However, with such popularity, different opinions tend to arise. The most plausible being that the Margarita is merely a popular American drink, the Daisy, remade with tequila instead of brandy, which became popular during the Prohibition era as people drifted over the border for alcohol.

Planning your National Margarita Day?…make sure to check out some of the country’s best and most distinctive margaritas at these must-try restaurants…

Los Angeles

Casa Azul Cantina, newly opened in Los Angeles and inspired by the original Casa Azul, home of icons Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera in Coyoacán, Mexico, will extend its weekly Monday Margarita Madness for National Margarita Day with drinks starting at $3.95. Various specialty margaritas offered include the Cadillac Margarita created with tequila, triple sec, sweet & sour, Grand Marnier, and fresh lime juice; Agave Margarita is made with Cuervo Tradicional, agave syrup, sweet & sour, triple sec, and fresh lime juice; Clasica Margarita with tequila, triple sec, sweet & sour, and fresh lime juice; and the Strawberry or Mango Margarita. http://www.casaazulcantina.com/

Casa Vega, Los Angeles’ favorite 55-year-old Mexican restaurant will be offering margaritas at happy hour pricing ($5-$8) all-day long on National Margarita Day including Ray Vega’s award-winning Casa Vega Margarita, ($4.95) available Original or with Cranberry; Cadillac Margarita, ($8.41) made with Cuervo 1800, lime, triple sec, and Grand Marnier; and the Blood Orange Margarita, ($7.60) made with Patron Silver tequila, blood orange juice, agave nectar, and fresh lime. http://www.casavega.com/

Rick Bayless’ Red O, is offering a special margarita flight created by resident Mixologist and “Drink Slinger” Steve Calabro, in celebration of National Margarita Day. At $15 per person, the flight includes a Market Margarita, with muddled fresh cucumber and honeydew melon, Espolon Blanco tequila, lemon and lime juices; La Dama Margarita made with Tres Agaves Reposado tequila, serrano chile, mango grenadine, lime juice, and pomegranate liqueur, garnished with fresh pomegranate seeds; and the Alacran Margarita, made with Sauza Conmemorativo tequila, Veev Acai, Torres orange liqueur, fresh limonada, and serrano-infused syrup. http://www.redorestaurant.com/

Colorado (for those of you leaving town for the week)

Restaurant Kelly Liken, Vail, CO’s namesake dining destination helmed by chef Kelly Liken, features the finest ingredients and spirits from the region on their cocktail menu. A favorite après ski spot, guests can imbibe on the Cilantro Margarita made with Silver Tequila, fresh lime juice, ginger-lime-cilantro syrup, and club soda, garnished with an orange slice. http://www.kellyliken.com/