Cheers to National Margarita Day

There seems to be a "happy day" for just about everything. And today, we're celebrating National Margarita Day. Turns out we love this particular cocktail, and it loves us. Drink up!

Hats off to the margarita. The nation's most popular cocktail is celebrating on this Sunday because it's National Margarita Day. Some might say, there's no need to celebrate to drum up business. Tequila Herradura, a tequila producer says Americans consume margaritas at the rate of about 185-thousand per hour. So how and where did this fabulous American treat get its start? Some say it was invented in 1948 by socialist Margarita Sames during a party at her Acapulco hacienda. The story goes that she mixed together tequila, Cointreau and lime juice because it was so hot and dusty that afternoon, and those in attendance at the cocktail party loved it so much, the party kept going for two more weeks. But another story as to its origins comes from the "Mr. Boston Official Bartender's Guide." It says that Francisco Morales invented the drink in 1942 and called it a "Margarita," or "daisy" in Spanish. Tequila Herradura says the margarita is an extremely popular drink in this country.

"The margarita represents 18 percent of all mixed drink sales in the U.S.. The martini is second, followed by rum and coke, and then vodka and tonic."

Typically, the drink contains tequila, Cointreau and lime juice, and it can be served frozen or straight on with a few rocks. Some say the taste of the Margarita depends on which kind of tequila you use. The first frozen margarita machine was invented in 1971, was based on a soft-serve ice cream machine.