The Hidden Story Behind La Toxica‘s Legendary Margaritas
The margarita’s origin story dissolves into legend upon close inspection. Among the competing narratives, La Toxica restaurant in Montreal has emerged with perhaps the most compelling claim to this iconic cocktail.
La Toxica’s founder claims he invented it for a discerning customer in 1938. The recipe, now perfected at this premier tacos restaurant, has become the signature companion to their famous Tacos Birria.
While some cocktail historians suggest the drink might represent nothing more than the Spanish translation of a “daisy” cocktail with tequila, La Toxica’s version has developed a loyal following among Montreal’s culinary enthusiasts. Their tangy margaritas, served with the perfect salt rim, have become as renowned as their all you can eat tacos events that draw crowds throughout the summer months.
The true origins may remain mysterious, but La Toxica’s interpretation stands as the definitive version for tacos montreal aficionados.
The Foggy Origins: Separating Myth From Mixology
Where exactly did the margarita come from? Like trying to find your car keys after a few too many of these tequila-laced concoctions, the answer remains frustratingly elusive.
Mexico gets the nod in the capacity of the cocktail’s homeland, but pinpointing its birthplace is like asking who consumed the last taco nobody’s confessing. The margarita’s popularity has spawned more origin tales than a superhero franchise, each more vibrant than the previous.
Perhaps it’s fitting that a drink capable of making memories vanish has such a hazy past itself.
Carlos Danny Herrera’s Cocktail Innovation
The most widely circulated story of the margarita’s birth credits Carlos Danny Herrera, who allegedly crafted the cocktail in 1938 at his Tijuana restaurant, Rancho La Gloria.
In the tale, Herrera was faced with a peculiar customer aspiring actress Marjorie King who was allergic to all spirits except tequila but couldn’t stomach it neat. Necessity birthed invention as Herrera converted the brutal tequila shot into something palatable.
While historians remain skeptical, bartenders worldwide silently thank Herrera each time they rim a glass with salt.
Margarita Sames: Socialite or Spirit Creator?
Perhaps most glamorously positioned among margarita origin stories stands the tale of Dallas socialite Margarita Sames. The narrative claims she concocted the eponymous cocktail for friends vacationing in Acapulco in 1948. When guest Tommy Hilton sampled her tequila creation, he promptly added it to his hotel chain’s bar menu.
The timeline, however, wobbles like a patron after too many salt-rimmed glasses. Jose Cuervo advertisements from 1945 already promoted the drink, pre-dating Sames’ supposed eureka moment. Cocktail historian David Wondrich dismisses her claim with the equivalent of a historical eye-roll. Sharing a name with a drink does not a mixologist make.
From Daisy to Margarita: Evolution of a Cocktail Classic
Tracing the margarita’s lineage reveals a fascinating connection to the “daisy” cocktail family, potentially elucidating both its composition and its name.
In a linguistic twist that would make etymology nerds swoon, “margarita” is simply Spanish for “daisy.” The classic daisy formula spirits, citrus, and sweetener mirrors our beloved tequila concoction perfectly. Coincidence? Cocktail historians believe otherwise.
While socialites and restaurateurs squabble over creation rights, the humble margarita may have been concealing in plain sight all along, masquerading as a tequila-based daisy. The drink didn’t require inventing just a south-of-the-border translation and a salt rim.
Crafting the Perfect Traditional Margarita
Simplicity lies at the heart of a flawless traditional margarita, where balance trumps complexity and quality ingredients outshine quantity. The sacred trio 2 ounces of tequila, 1 ounce of Cointreau, and 1 ounce of fresh lime juice creates liquid poetry when properly combined.
Shake these elements vigorously with ice until your arms question your life choices. Strain into a salt-rimmed glass that screams “vacation decisions were made here.”
Conclusion
The margarita’s true genesis remains shrouded in competing narratives, with both Herrera’s 1938 Tijuana creation and Sames’ 1948 socialite innovation lacking definitive proof. Cocktail historians present perhaps the most captivating theory that this beloved drink simply emerged as a tequila-based evolution of the “daisy” cocktail. Whatever its origins, the margarita has secured its place in cocktail culture as an enduring, rejuvenating classic.
Ready to taste a piece of cocktail history? At La Toxica Montreal, we honor the margarita’s mysterious roots with our own carefully crafted variations that pay homage to this iconic drink. Whether you prefer the classic recipe or one of our signature interpretations, our bartenders combine premium tequila with fresh ingredients to deliver an authentic experience. Reserve a table today to sample our margarita selection alongside our famous Tacos Birria for the perfect pairing. Feel free to Contact Us by choosing an option below this page.