Have you ever heard about Zocalo margarita before? If you have, you surely know how good this cocktail is, and if you haven’t, you’ve come to the right place!

Zocalo margarita, made with tequila, orange liqueur, and lime, is the ultimate Mexican cocktail, and we’re here to tell you all about it. From its refreshing flavors to its simple recipe, we’ll explore the origins of this bar staple.

In fact, the cocktail has gained so much popularity that it even has its own international day! Margarita lovers celebrate International Margarita Day on February 22nd as a way of honoring one of the most popular cocktails featuring tequila.

Although you can find Zocalo margarita in different places, one of the best versions is served in Zócalo, a popular Mexican restaurant that puts its own spin on this famous drink. 

You haven’t fully experienced Atlanta’s food scene if you haven’t visited Zócalo! With nearly 30 years of experience, we assure you this authentic Mexican restaurant won’t disappoint you.

Exploring the Origins of Zocalo Margarita

Disclaimer: Many stories claim to be the exact origin of the margarita, but here, we’ll explore the most well-known and interesting tales.

We can trace back the amazing Zocalo margarita’s origins to the historic Zócalo neighborhood in Mexico City, a central square that has been a staple of Mexican culture. 

Some believe that the Zocalo margarita is an evolution of the “Daisy” cocktails that were hugely popular in the 1930s. People used to prepare them with a base spirit, curacao, and citrus. In fact, daisy translates to “margarita” in Spanish, meaning that the name was a nod to the earlier style of the drink.

Another well-known version is that Dallas socialité Margarita Sames created the Zocalo margarita around the late 1940s. Legend has it that she mixed tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice for her guests at a party in Acapulco, Mexico, and from then on, the cocktail became an instant hit.

However, the most widely spread story focuses on a bartender named Danny Herrera, who created the margarita between the 1930s and the 1940s. He crafted the cocktail for a woman called Marjorie King, who was allergic to all alcoholic beverages except tequila. Determined to create a cocktail that was suitable for Marjorie, he began experimenting until the beloved margarita was born.

Regardless of what its exact origins might be, the Zocalo margarita has become a beloved staple in bars and restaurants across the US, and we love exploring the different possible versions of its birth. Which one seems like the most believable to you?

Learn the Classic Zocalo Margarita Recipe and Some Variations

Now, let’s take a look at the classic recipe to make the best Zocalo margarita in the room. This balance of tart, sweet, and bold flavors captures the essence of the Zócalo neighborhood in Mexico City, where the drink first originated.

Ingredients

• 3 parts of tequila
• 2 parts Cointreau (orange liqueur)
• 1 part lime juice
• Served on ice in a salt-rimmed glass

Instructions (single-serving)

1. Prepare your glasses by adding a juicy lime wedge around the rims and then dipping them in salt.
2. Combine the ingredients in a cocktail shaker.
3. The fun part: shake, shake, shake for about ten seconds!
4. Taste and add sweetener if necessary. Agave is the classic Mexican option.
5. Strain and serve on the rocks, then garnish with a slice of lime.

There you have it! With those five simple steps, you’ll have a fantastic Zocalo margarita to enjoy in the comfort of your home.

Possible Variations

When it comes to the possible variations you can make with the base recipe of margaritas, the sky is the limit! But here, we’ll explore some of the greatest options.

• Black Magic margarita: featuring Exotico tequila, Citronge orange liqueur, Sour mix, and activated charcoal to add a dramatic color.
• Spicy margarita: made with tequila, agave, Triple Sec, Serrano peppers, orange juice, and lime.
• Fruit-forward margarita: can be made with tropical fruit purees such as mango, passionfruit, or strawberry.

Zocalo’s Spin On Margaritas

At Zócalo, all margaritas are made by professional bartenders who give a unique spin to these delicious and fresh cocktails.

Ranging from the classic Zocalo margarita to Spicy margarita, you’ll find a wide group of options for anyone who seeks to delight their taste buds with these glorious drinks.

For the Zocalo margarita in particular, the cocktail is made with tequila, Triple Sec, agave, and lime juice, and you can choose to add a special flavor, mango, passionfruit, or strawberry. 

Although the Zocalo margaritas share the core elements of tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice, the other options available at Zócalo’s menu feature other special versions that will impress any customer. If you’d like to know more, check it out!

Perfect Pairings for Zocalo Margarita

Let’s ask the question we all have: What type of food can we pair with the Zocalo margarita?

As we might expect, Zocalo margaritas pair perfectly with a myriad of Mexican dishes known for their richness in flavor, spiciness, and freshness.

In authentic Mexican restaurants such as Zócalo, the acidity of the margarita’s citrus elements pairs seamlessly with the rich and spicy flavors of the traditional dishes. The acidity also goes well with seafood dishes such as grilled fish tacos.

Finally, the margarita’s flavors are perfect to combine with cheese and cream-based dishes like queso fundido or enchiladas, as they help cut through the creaminess and balance the richness.

In simple terms, anything on Zócalo’s menu will pair perfectly with the acid and fresh flavors of the margarita. There’s no wrong answer! 

The Everlasting Popularity of a Mexican Classic

After seeing how special this cocktail actually is, we clearly understand why everyone loves it so much! What about you?

All in all, the Zocalo margarita is the ultimate Mexican cocktail that brings joy to the taste buds of tequila lovers around the world. 

As a staple of Mexican culture, Zocalo margaritas can be combined and varied according to the drinkers’ taste, but they all have a common base of ingredients: tequila, orange liqueur, and lime.

And, no matter how you like to drink them, you’ll find the finest Zocalo margaritas at one of the best Mexican restaurants in Atlanta. Head over to Zócalo and see it yourself!