Cocktails and libations tend to have many “origin stories” surrounding them, even the ones that were developed within the last 100 years. Apparently people love to take credit for the drinks that we enjoy on a regular basis. There are many rumors surrounding the birth of the margarita, though my favorite has to be the story of a showgirl and aspiring actress named Marjorie King.
In the late 1930s, Ms. King became a regular patron at a bar near Tijuana called Rancho La Gloria. Apparently she was allergic to all alcohol apart from tequila and couldn’t stand the stuff on its own. Bartender Carlos “Danny” Herrera was up for a challenge, and after some experimenting served her a mixed drink with the same essential components of a tequila shot – tequila, salt and lime juice mixed with ice. She was pleased with the results, and in her honor the drink was named “Margarita,” the Spanish equivalent of Marjorie.
There is another popular story involving a Dallas socialite named Margarita Sales who loved to invent new libations for guests at her vacation house in Acapulco. It would take some time to “sleuth out” the true origin story, so for now let’s raise a glass to this margarita mystery and say “L’chaim!”
In this cocktail, sweet fresh oranges and agave nectar play off the slight bitterness of tequila (tequila is made from agave, so it seems like a natural pairing). Orange blossom water is a popular Middle Eastern ingredient which gives a flowery flavor, aroma, and essence to food and drink. It is most often used in baking and traditional desserts like baklava. I like adding it to herbal teas and cold, sweet beverages. Inhaling the scent takes me on a journey to Tunisia, where warm breezes blow through groves of blossoming citrus trees. A little goes a long way. Used sparingly, orange blossom water can give a lovely perfume to a number of sweet dishes (and a few savory ones as well!).
When orange blossom water was added to this margarita, the result was magical– sweet, exotic, icy and refreshing. The drink took on a whole new identity. I think Marjorie King would approve.
Freshly squeezed orange juice is important here, if you have the time to make it. I prefer organic raw agave and a nice quality gold tequila if you can find it. For those of you avoiding alcohol, I’ve provided an absolutely delicious virgin Orange Blossom Chiller variation below… that way everybody can indulge!
You can purchase Orange Blossom Water at your local Middle Eastern market or kosher market. You can also buy it online here.
Note: Every cocktail recipe featured on my site can be made kosher using kosher-certified liquor and bottled beverages. I’ve only used liquors and ingredients that can be easily obtained with a kosher hechsher. For kosher-certified alcohol choices, check out the links below:
Star-K Beer, Liquor and Liqueur List
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Orange Blossom Margarita
Ingredients
Orange Blossom Margarita Ingredients
- 6 ounces freshly squeezed orange juice (3/4 cup)
- 4 ounces tequila (1/2 cup)
- 4 ounces Cointreau (1/2 cup)
- 2 tablespoons agave nectar
- 2 tablespoons orange blossom water
- 3 cups ice
- Fresh orange slices and sugar for rimming the margarita glasses
Virgin Orange Blossom Chiller Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups freshly squeezed orange juice
- 2 1/2 tablespoons agave nectar, or more to taste
- 1 1/2 tablespoons orange blossom water
- 3 cups ice
- Fresh orange slices and sugar for rimming the margarita glasses
Instructions
To Make Margarita:
- A few minutes before you make the drinks, place the margarita glasses in the freezer to chill. In a blender combine fresh orange juice, tequila, Cointreau, agave nectar, orange blossom water and ice. Blend till smooth.
- Use a fresh orange slice to rub a little juice around each rim of your chilled margarita glasses. Dip the moistened edge into a plate of sugar (I don't like to rim the glass with salt on this margarita, as it tends to distract from the aroma of the orange blossom water, but if you prefer it feel free). Fill each glass with the blended margarita. Serve cold.
To Make Chiller:
- A few minutes before you make the drinks, place the margarita glasses in the freezer to chill. Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend till smooth. Use a fresh orange slice to rub a little juice around each rim of your chilled margarita glasses. Dip the moistened edge into a plate of sugar. Fill each glass with the blended margarita. Serve cold.
Nutrition
tried this recipe?
Let us know in the comments!
Absolutely delicious margarita!
This was just lovely. I was looking for something different to serve with couscous at a family gathering, and my mom loves margaritas. This was fresh and tasty and exotic and perfect to accompany the meal.
Thank you for including the non-alcoholic version of this drink.
Not everyone can or chooses to drink alcohol.
Yum!
mmmmm, the virgin orange blossom margarita is gonna be my official summer/lounging in the backyard drink!
It’s so yummy La Tina, you will love it.
I called it! Shabbat Shalom!
You totally called it Beth!! 😉
This sounds exotic and wonderful. I made a Cardamom Rose cocktail on the blog a couple of weeks ago with s similar floral/Middle Eastern feel. The virgin chiller sounds perfect for lunch today!