Friday, February 22, 2013

National Margarita Day

The number one selling cocktail in the U.S. has its own special day. In recognition of today being, National Margarita Day, we thought we'd share some history on this cocktail along with a few delicious recipes to try yourself on this day or any other.


Although here is no solid proof who "invented" the Margarita. There of course are many stories of where the famous beverage originated from, and one of the most accepted of all is that the Margarita was invented in October 1941, at Hussong's Cantina in Ensenada, Mexico, by bartender Don Carlos Orozco. Supposedly, one slow afternoon, Don Carlos was experimenting with mixing new drinks when a prestigious visitor arrived: Margarita Henkel, the daughter of a German ambassador, who lived with her husband Roy Parodi near the city in Rancho Hamilton. Don Carlos offered the drink to Margarita, and named it after her for being the first person to taste it. He concocted a mixture of equal parts tequila, orange liqueur and lime, served over ice in a salt-rimmed glass. However, Don Carlos' recipe was made with Damiana Liqueur, not Cointreau orange liqueur. He may have named his drink after Margarita Henkle, but it is not the drink the world enjoys today. Another common story related the Margarita being invented a few years earlier at the Rancho La Gloria Hotel, halfway between Tijuana and Rosarito, Mexico, by Carlos "Danny" Herrera, for a former dancer named Marjorie King. This story was related by Herrera and also by bartender Albert Hernandez, who is acknowledged for popularizing the Margarita in San Diego after 1947, at the La Plaza restaurant in La Jolla. Hernandez claimed the owner of La Plaza, Morris Locke, knew Herrera and visited Mexico often. Another common origin tale begins the cocktail’s history at the legendary Balinese Room in Galveston, Texas where, in 1948, head bartender Santos Cruz created the Margarita for singer Peggy (Margaret) Lee. He supposedly named it after the Spanish version of her name, Margarita, and it’s been a hit ever since.

Another explanation, however, is that the Margarita is merely a popular American drink, the Daisy remade with tequila instead of brandy, which became popular during Prohibition as people drifted over the border for alcohol. There is an account from 1936 of Iowa newspaper editor James Graham finding such a cocktail in Tijuana, years before any of the other Margarita "creation myths".Margarita is Spanish for Daisy. It is likely that Orozco, Herrara, and Cruz merely perfected the "Tequila Daisy"
Margarita Glass
 
Margaritas may be served in a variety of glasses, most notably the stereotypical margarita glass, a variant of the classic Champagne coupe; this is particularly associated with blended fruit margaritas, and the glass is also used for dishes such as guacamole or shrimp cocktails. In formal settings margaritas are often served in a standard cocktail glass, while in informal settings, particularly with ice, margaritas may be served in an old-fashioned glass.

Theres so many differant ways to make a Margerita, however the classic version is made from only three ingredients: tequila, triple sec and lime juice. The trick is in the quality of the ingredients - the better the quality, the better the 'rita!
 



This classic margarita recipe uses the traditional 3-2-1 ratio of three parts tequila, two parts good triple sec and one part lime juice. Serve it on the rocks with salt or serve it up in a chilled glass if you prefer. If you like your margaritas on the sour side, check these out
 
INGREDIENTS
  • Diamond Crystal kosher salt
  • 1 thin lime wedge
  • Ice
  • 1 1/2 ounces silver (blanco), 100 percent agave tequila
  • 1 ounce triple sec orange liqueur
  • 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice (from about 1 lime)
  • 1 very thin lime slice, for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Pour enough salt on a small plate to cover it.
  2. Rub the lime wedge on the outside rim of a 4-ounce cocktail glass. Holding the glass at a 45-degree angle, dip the outside rim in the salt, rotating as you do, so the entire rim is coated with salt. (Avoid getting any salt inside the glass.) Fill the glass with ice and place it in the freezer to chill.
  3. Add the tequila, triple sec, and lime juice to a cocktail shaker and fill the shaker halfway with ice.
  4. Shake vigorously until the outside of the shaker turns frosty.
  5. Strain the margarita into the chilled glass and garnish with a lime slice.
 
If the classic Margarita doesnt't work for you, try a few other alternative recipes: Check out over 50 Margerita Recipes here. Or check out our Pinterest board on great Margerita and other Cocktail & Beverage Recipes


Check out or pinterest board for great recipes at
http://pinterest.com/lighthouseinnma/cocktails-beverages/
CHEERS!!!!


Thursday, February 14, 2013

100 Ways to Say I love You

Happy Valentines Day, You may be looking for other ways to express your feeling rather than saying using the tradional three words, "I LOVE YOU", why not try out a few of the following 100 Ways, this Valentines Day.

You, sweetheart, are my one and only.
You take my breath away.
Lovingly yours.
With you, forever won't be too long.
When I see you, I think "Good job, God!"
I want to spend my life with you!
I treasure you
I adore you.
You stir my soul
I'm head over heels for you.
I cherish you.
Life is incomplete without you.
We were made for each other
You're my soulmate and the love of my life.
I can't stop thinking about you when we're apart.
I cherish you.
I dream of you.
I live for our love.
You're the apple of my eye.
You're the best thing that ever happened to me.
You're the best.
You're the diamond in the rough.
You're the one for me.
You're the one I've always wished for.
I love being around you.
I need you by my side.
I need you.
I respect you.
I value you.
I want a lifetime with you.
I want you.
I worship you.
I yearn for you.
I'm a better person because of you.
I'm blessed to have you in my life
I'm devoted to you.
I'm fond of you.
I'm lost without you.
I'm nothing without you.
I'm passionate about you.
I'm thankful for you.
I'm yours.
Me and you. Always.
My love is unconditional.
Our love is invaluable.
Take me, I'm yours.The thought of you brings a smile to my face.
Together, forever.
We were meant to be together.
You are a blessing in disguise.
You are an angel from God.
Check out our PINTEREST Board and share more ways to say I Love You

You are like a candle burning bright.
You are my crush.
You are my treasure.

You are my world.
You are precious.

You are the light of my life.
You are the reason I'm alive.
You bring happiness to rainy days.


You bring joy to my life.
You cast a spell on me that can't be broken.
You complete me.
You drive me wild.
You fill me with desire.
You fill my heart.
You give me wings to fly.
You had me from hello.
You hold the key to my heart.                                          
You inspire me.
You lift me up to touch the sky.
You light my flame.
You light up my life.
You make my heart skip a beat.
You make my world a better place.
You mean the world to me..
You set my heart on fire.
You stole my heart.
You sweeten my sour days.
You turn my world upside down.
You turn the darkness into light.
You're a dream come true.
You're a twinkle in my eye.
You're absolutely wonderful.
You're all I want.
You're as beautiful as a sunset.
You're beautiful.
You're charming.
You're enchanting.
You're heavenly.
You're my angel.
You're my perfect match.
You're one in a million.
You're priceless.
You are my dear.
You are my everything.
You are my heart's desire.
You are my life.
You are my one and only.
You are my one true love.
You are my reason for living.
You are my sunshine