National Margarita Day is observed every year on February 22 in the United States. It is an unofficial food and drink holiday celebrating the margarita, the classic cocktail built from tequila, an orange liqueur such as triple sec, and fresh lime or lemon juice. Landing in the gray middle of winter, it doubles as a cheerful excuse to bring a little brightness to the season. As with all alcohol-related observances, it is intended for those of legal drinking age.
When is National Margarita Day?
National Margarita Day falls on the fixed date of February 22, so it is easy to remember from year to year even though the weekday changes. It sits close to National Drink Wine Day on February 18, and the two are often mentioned together. In the US, February 22 is the recognized margarita date.
History and origin of National Margarita Day
National Margarita Day is widely credited to Todd McCalla, a commercial real estate agent who is said to have created it around 2008. According to the commonly told account, McCalla started the day out of frustration with low-quality commercial margarita mixes loaded with high-fructose corn syrup and artificial ingredients, and he wanted to promote fresh, high-quality margaritas. He is also associated with National Drink Wine Day. February was reportedly chosen because it is a dull, gray stretch of winter that could use brightening. While this founder story is repeated across many sources, including the observance’s own website, it is worth noting that such claims are difficult to verify independently, so McCalla is best described as the widely credited creator rather than a definitively documented one.
The margarita cocktail itself has a much older and hotly debated history, with numerous competing invention stories placing its creation in Mexico and the southern United States across the 1930s and 1940s. Several bartenders and socialites have been credited over the decades, and rival accounts point to different border towns and resort bars, but no single origin of the drink has ever been settled.
Why National Margarita Day matters
The margarita is among the most popular cocktails in the United States, and National Margarita Day celebrates both the drink and the wider culture of Mexican-inspired food and hospitality. In its founder’s telling, the day also carries a small message about craftsmanship: choosing fresh lime, quality tequila, and real ingredients over sugary shortcuts. For bars and restaurants, it has become a reliable promotional occasion, and for home mixologists it is a chance to practice their technique.
The mid-winter timing gives the day a particular charm. Arriving in the gray stretch of late February, when summer feels far off, it offers a small, bright escape and a taste of warmer seasons. That contrast is reportedly part of why the date was chosen, and it helps explain the observance’s popularity: a festive, low-stakes reason to gather with friends, try a new recipe, and brighten a dull time of year, always enjoyed responsibly and by those of legal drinking age.
How to celebrate National Margarita Day
- Make a classic margarita at home with fresh lime juice and quality tequila.
- Experiment with variations such as spicy, frozen, or fruit-infused margaritas.
- Visit a favorite bar or Mexican restaurant for drink specials.
- Host a margarita-tasting night with friends of legal drinking age.
- Try a mocktail version so everyone can join in responsibly.
- Pair your drink with tacos, nachos, or other Mexican-inspired dishes.
- Share your creation online with #NationalMargaritaDay, and always drink responsibly.
Related days and observances
National Margarita Day is part of a lineup of drink and Mexican-cuisine celebrations. Related days include National Tequila Day, National Drink Wine Day, Cinco de Mayo, National Taco Day, and National Cocktail Day. Together they give fans plenty of occasions to enjoy Mexican-inspired flavors.
Fun facts
The margarita’s name means little daisy in Spanish, and the drink belongs to a broader family of sour cocktails. Its enduring popularity has spawned countless variations, from frozen and fruit-flavored to spicy jalapeno versions, which is part of why a dedicated day has caught on so widely with both bars and home bartenders. The classic recipe is simple enough that anyone can learn it, yet refined enough to reward good ingredients, striking a balance that has kept the margarita at or near the top of America’s most-ordered cocktails for decades and given National Margarita Day plenty of momentum each February.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is National Margarita Day?
In the United States it is observed every year on the fixed date of February 22.
Who started National Margarita Day?
It is widely credited to Todd McCalla, who is said to have created it around 2008 to promote fresh, quality ingredients.
Why do we celebrate National Margarita Day?
To celebrate the margarita and, per its founder, to champion fresh ingredients over low-quality commercial mixes.
How do you celebrate National Margarita Day?
Make a fresh margarita at home, visit a bar for specials, or try a new twist on the classic recipe.
Is National Margarita Day a public holiday?
No. It is an unofficial food and drink holiday, not a federal or public holiday, and it is for those of legal drinking age.
What is the hashtag for National Margarita Day?
The common tags are #NationalMargaritaDay and #MargaritaDay.