Tag: cocktails

National Margarita Day: Taco Cabana’s Big Red Margarita, Delicious Cocktail Recipes & Top Margaritas By State

Taco Cabana’s iconic margarita featuring Big Red. Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.

National Margarita Day, celebrated on February 22, is a beloved occasion for cocktail enthusiasts, particularly fans of the refreshing margarita. This vibrant holiday offers a chance to honor the iconic drink, typically made with tequila, lime juice, and triple sec, enjoyed in various styles from classic to frozen. For many, it’s a fun, festive day to gather with friends, explore different variations, and savor their favorite margarita concoctions. Bars and restaurants often offer special deals, making it a go-to event for those seeking to indulge in the tangy, citrusy goodness of one of the world’s most popular cocktails.

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With National Margarita Day around the corner, they are celebrating by revealing America’s favorite margaritas. By using Google Trends, they found the most sought after margaritas in each state.

Here are the top 5 margaritas:

  1. Skinny margaritas
  2. Classic margaritas
  3. Spicy margaritas
  4. White Christmas margaritas and virgin margaritas
  5. Mistletoe margaritas, pomegranate margaritas, and frozen margaritas

See the full study here, along with details on which margarita each state prefers and a fun infographic.

If you’re a fan of Taco Cabana, margaritas, and Big Red in Texas, Taco Cabana (TC) is excited to announce the return of its Margarita featuring Big Red just in time to celebrate National Margarita Day (February 22). The margarita will be a limited-time offering that blends two Texas favorites: Taco Cabana’s classic margaritas and Big Red’s iconic soda. (Taco Cabana, 2025)

In collaboration with the team at Keurig Dr Pepper, Taco Cabana has crafted a one-of-a-kind, innovative experience to give margarita lovers a delicious new twist on the classic margarita. Guests can purchase this offering in the following sizes:

  • Single Serving – Perfect for a quick, refreshing drink.
  • Margarita Yard – For those who want to indulge in the ultimate margarita experience.

Taco Cabana’s Margarita featuring Big Red will be available starting Friday, February 21 just ahead of the holiday for a limited time only. Guests must be 21+ to purchase. Margaritas must be purchased alongside a food item at Taco Cabana.

Menu items are available for in-restaurant dining, drive-thru, online ordering for front counter or curbside pick-up, and through the MY TC!® App or TacoCabana.com for mobile orders..

National Margarita Day: Saturday, February 22, 2025
*Available starting February 21 just ahead of the holiday
**Available for a limited time only

If you prefer to make them at home, here are some recipes from Cantera Negra Tequila, including a cult classic, winter twist and traditional margarita. Cantera Negra is additive-free and celebrity-free ultra-premium tequila made from 100% fully mature blue weber agave, hand-crafted in small batch quantities from 40 years of family tradition in Mexico and sourced from rich volcanic soil.

Their award-winning portfolio of additive-free tequilas includes Silver, Reposado, Añejo and Extra Añejo, and Café, premium coffee liqueur known for its distinctive character and refined taste. Their aged tequilas are aged longer than standard and perfect for both sipping and cocktails in the colder months – check out Reposado in the Winter Marg recipe below. (Cantera Negra Tequila, 2025)

Winter Marg

Let every sip warm you up from the inside out. A perfect combination of Cantera Negra Reposado, fresh lime and blood orange juice, complemented by a flavorful winter spice rim.

  • Ingredients:
    • 1.5 parts Cantera Negra Reposado Tequila
    • 0.5 part Fresh lime juice
    • 0.5 part Fresh blood orange juice
    • 0.5 part Agave syrup
    • 0.75 tsp Vanilla extract
  • Directions:
    • Rim a rocks glass with winter spice mix.* Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously. Strain into prepped rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.
    • *Winter spice mix: .5 tsp salt, .5 tsp sugar, .25 tsp cinnamon, and .25 tsp chili powder

Tommy’s Margarita

This go-to cult classic is known as a “Tommy’s Margarita” and is a bartender favorite.

  • Ingredients:
    • 2 parts Cantera Negra Silver Tequila
    • 1 part Fresh lime juice
    • 0.5 part Agave nectar
    • Blood orange slice for garnish
  • Instructions – Add all ingredients to cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously. Strain over ice in a half salt rimmed rocks glass and garnish with blood orange slice.

Cantera Margarita

Traditional margarita recipe but with orange bitters to give a nice orange essence without any added sugar.

  • Ingredients:
    • 2 parts Cantera Negra Silver Tequila
    • 1 part Fresh lime juice
    • 0.5 parts Agave syrup
    • Orange bitters
  • Instructions – Shake and strain over ice in double rocks glass. Add 2 dashes of orange bitters.
Cantera Margarita. Photo: Cantera Negra Tequila, used with permission.

Savor the Flavor: Twang’s Perfect Dry January Cocktail Recipe

Enjoy Dry January with Twang’s Miche-Nada Recipe. Photo: Twang, used with permission.

Dry January has gained popularity as a way for individuals to reduce their alcohol consumption, often for health reasons. By committing to a month of sobriety, participants can experience immediate benefits, such as improved sleep, increased energy, and better hydration. It provides an opportunity to reset habits, assess personal drinking patterns, and evaluate how alcohol affects overall well-being. Many people find the challenge empowering, with the support of a growing community engaging in the same commitment. Dry January also offers a break from the pressures of social drinking, promoting mindfulness and a healthier approach to alcohol consumption in the long term.

With the Dry January movement gaining popularity on social media, I want to share a refreshing, non-alcoholic recipe from Twang, a sensational Tex-Mex-inspired, family-driven company infamous for its bold blends of flavored salts, sugars, and spices since 1986. (Twang, 2025)

To celebrate Dry January, Twang offers a twist on the classic Michelada —the Miche-Nada. Made with Twang’s Reserve Michelada Mix in flavors like classic, spicy, or pickle; this drink packs a punch with all-natural ingredients, including real lime juice, ancho chiles, and organic Worcestershire sauce. For the ultimate experience, top it off with Twang’s zesty Drink Rimmers in varieties like chile lime, grapefruit, dill pickle, and more.

The 16oz Michelada Mix is just $7, conveniently packaged for easy shipping, while Drink Rimmers are $5 for 4oz of unbeatable flavor. Twang is available in-store in all 50 states and ships nationwide, ensuring every abstemious friend or family member can easily enjoy.

Twang Miche-Nada

Ingredients:
• Twang Reserve Michelada Cocktail Mix (classic, spicy, or pickle flavors)
• Twang Rimming Salt (chile lime, grapefruit, dill pickle & more flavors)
• Ice
• Sparkling water
• Lime wedge

Directions:

  1. Rim your glass with your choice of Twang’s Rimming Salt
  2. Add some ice to your glass
  3. Add your choice of Twang Reserve Michelada Mix
  4. Add sparkling water
  5. Garnish with a lime wedge

Unwrap the Perfect Holiday Drink: Bols Ready-to-Enjoy Cocktails for Effortless Celebrations

Cheers to every holiday moment with Bols Ready-to-Enjoy Cocktails. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

The holiday season is a time to gather with friends and family, creating cherished memories filled with laughter and joy. Whether cozying up around a crackling fire or sharing festive meals, the warmth of togetherness is unmatched. Cocktails add a special touch, with creative concoctions that brighten the mood—perhaps a spiced mulled wine, a classic eggnog, or a vibrant cranberry mojito. These drinks serve as more than refreshments; they spark conversations and bring everyone closer. As glasses clink and stories are shared, the magic of the holidays truly comes alive, making the season unforgettable.

This season, whether it’s a cozy night in, a lively gathering, or the countdown to midnight, Bols Ready-to-Enjoy Cocktails make it effortless to elevate every occasion with bar-quality flavors, backed by nearly 450 years of cocktail expertise. (Bols, 2024)

Here’s how each of Bols RTE cocktails can seamlessly fit into your favorite holiday moments: 

  • Christmas Eve Wind-Down: Espresso Martini – End Christmas Eve on a high note with this rich, smooth treat as a sophisticated after-dinner indulgence with family and friends. Served chilled with coffee beans, it adds a refined, comforting vibe to the evening.
  • Holiday Brunch Cheers: Margarita Azul – This vibrant blue margarita adds zest and cheer to holiday brunches on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day, bringing brightness to the morning to start the day with joy.
  • Elegant Gatherings: Red Light Negroni – Ideal for holiday soirées or office parties, this Negroni offers smooth, malty flavors with a botanical twist, perfect for mingling in style. Served with a twist of orange zest for that extra touch.
  • Fireside Nights: Very Old Fashioned – Nothing warms a winter night quite like the cozy, cedarwood notes of the Very Old Fashioned. It’s the ideal fireside sipper for intimate family gatherings or a quiet night by the fireplace, letting you unwind and embrace the season’s peaceful moments.
  • New Year’s Eve Toasts: Pornstar Martini – Add a pop of festive flair to New Year’s Eve with the vibrant, sweet libation. Its orange hue and lively flavors of vanilla and candied orange peel make it perfect for toasting at midnight, bringing lively energy to any celebration as the countdown begins.

Each cocktail is available in both 200ml tubes (perfect for one generous pour or two cocktails) and 375ml bottles (providing three-to-four servings), making them a thoughtful gift for hosts or an easy addition to your own celebrations.

Cocktail recipes for National Margarita Day and beyond

The Winter Margarita made with Cantera Negra Reposado. Photo: Cantera Negra, used with permission.

National Margarita Day is celebrated every year on February 22 as an homage to one of the best and most popular cocktail drinks. If you are looking for new margarita recipes or a way to spice up your favorite margarita, look no further than the following from Cantera Negra and Twang. (Cantera Negra, Twang, 2024)

Cantera Negra Tequila is an award-winning, ultra-premium tequila, hand-crafted in small batch quantities from 40 years of family tradition in Mexico. Decades ago, Don Alberto Becherano began making tequila as a hobby, and since then, he has been perfecting his proprietary method for making one of the best tasting tequilas in the world. Cantera Negra means “Black Quarry,” inspired by the rich volcanic soil from where their agaves grow. Their tequila is handcrafted in small-batch quantities using 100% fully mature Blue Weber agaves. They do not believe in cutting corners and permit only time-honored traditional production methods, and unlike others, they never add sugars or colorings. Below are a couple of their margarita recipes, including a winter twist and a cult classic. Photos courtesy of Cantera Negra, used with permission. 

Winter Marg– Let every sip warm you up from the inside out! A perfect combination of Cantera Negra Reposado, fresh lime and blood orange juice, complemented by a flavorful winter spice rim.

  • Ingredients:
    • 1.5 parts Cantera Negra Reposado Tequila
    • 0.5 part Fresh lime juice
    • 0.5 part Fresh blood orange juice
    • 0.5 part Agave syrup
    • 0.75 tsp Vanilla extract
  • Directions:
    • Rim a rocks glass with winter spice mix.* Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously. Strain into prepped rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.
    • *Winter spice mix: .5 tsp salt, .5 tsp sugar, .25 tsp cinnamon, and .25 tsp chili powder

Tommy’s Margarita – This go-to cult classic is known as a “Tommy’s Margarita” and is a bartender favorite.

  • Ingredients:
    • 2oz Cantera Negra Silver Tequila
    • 1oz fresh lime juice
    • .5oz agave nectar
    • Blood orange slice for garnish
  • Instructions
    • Add all ingredients to cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously. Strain over ice in a half salt rimmed rocks glass and garnish with blood orange slice.

**********************************************

Twang, a Tex-Mex inspired, family-driven company, specializes in the creation of products with flavored salt, sugar, and spice blends. 

The Twang-A-Rita premium cocktail rimmer blend is a must for the at-home-bartender and cocktail enthusiast this National Margarita Day. Available for national shipping, flavors include Safari Spice (spicy mango flavored), Sunrise Spice (chili lime flavored), Nectarberry (strawberry & lime flavored), Paloma Love (grapefruit flavored), CitruSplash (lemon & lime flavored) and Unwind Lime (lime flavored). Each flavor of Twang-A-Rita retails for $4.00, or they have variety packs with three different flavors for $10.00.

So raise a glass to the flavors that bring us together and toast to the taste of tradition sprinkled with a whole lot of amor. There’s a Twang-A-Rita cocktail rimming blend that compliments every margarita.

Photo: Twang, used with permission.

Spring Cocktails

primaveracocktail
Cork Bar’s Primavera Cocktail. Photo courtesy of Hotel Contessa, used with permission.

It is now officially spring and several bars and restaurants in town have updated their menus to offer patrons spring drinks. Each of these new cocktails feature bright flavors that will help ease the transition to warmer weather. The following is Paramour’s Spring Cocktail Menu and cocktail recipes from the Cork Bar at Hotel Contessa and Boiler House Texas Beer & Wine Garden. (Giant Noise, 2017)

Paramour Spring Cocktail Menu
Cocktails – Missionary Reach, Smoke vs Sea, Coupe de Grâce, You Can’t Handle the Proof, De Novo Punch, A Brand, New Dance, Down South Smash, Just a Friend, Subpoenaed in Texas, Sequestered in Memphis, Walls Are, For Tyrants, One For Mahler!, G.I.L.F, Barrel Aged – Old Fashioned, Hanky Panky, Martini
Food is offered until 10p.m and incudes Charcuterie Board – a selection of cured meats and cheese, Prosciutto Sliders- prosciutto, warm brie and lemon basil aioli and Bar Snack Trio that includes chili rosemary mixed nuts, marinated olives and sweet and spicy peppers.

Paramour
102 9th St, Suite 400
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 340-9880

Primavera (Spring) Cocktail
Cork Bar at Hotel Contessa’s Featured Cocktail
March and April
1.5 oz Seersucker Southern Gin
1 oz Simple Syrup Shrub: white vinegar, infused cucumber, rosemary and ginger candy
Topped off with 1 oz ginger beer
Garnished with cucumber slice, sprig of rosemary and lemon twist

The Hotel Contessa
306 W Market St
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 229-9222

Boiler House’s ‘Come Rum with Me Julep’
2oz Bullit Bourbon
½ oz Ron Zacapa 23 yr old
Solera Rum (to float)
½ oz Honey Simple Syrup
10 mint leaves, plus more to garnish

Boiler House Texas Beer & Wine Garden
312 Pearl Parkway. Building 3
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 354-464