Today, February 22nd, is officially National Margarita Day 2010. Why? We're not really sure why today is the day, except that we need a holiday like this to take the edge off of Valentine's Day (and no, Mardi Gras isn't enough). The Food Channel tells us that the original cocktail was invented in 1948 by a socialite by the name of Margarita Sames. This inventive lady started experimenting with different ingredients during a party she was hosting in Acapulco. It was ghastly hot, and she wanted something refreshing; she mixed Tequila Herradura, Cointreau and fresh lime juice, and lo and behold, her drink was born and apparently it "kept the party going for two weeks." Today the Margarita is the most popular cocktail in the U.S. The first frozen margarita machine was invented in 1971, modeled after a soft-serve ice cream machine.
Although a margarita is best enjoyed on a hot summer afternoon on the veranda, most of us don't have a hot summer right now, or a veranda. But that doesn't mean you can't crank up the heat in your house, listen to a Jimmy Buffet song, dream about the summer (it'll be here sooner than you think), and start your Monday off with a bang.  Happy National Margarita Day!Â
"The Perfect Margarita Recipe" (www.chow.com)
- Salt, for rimming the glass (optional)
- Ice
- 1 1/2 ounces tequila (blanco, 100 percent agave)
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1/2 ounce Cointreau (not Triple Sec)
- If using salt, place in a shallow dish. Moisten the rim of a rocks glass with a dampened paper towel, then dip in salt.
- Fill the glass with ice; add tequila, lime juice, and Cointreau; and stir a few times until chilled. Serve immediately.
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