Latest news with #NationalMargaritaDay
Daily Mail
28-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Surprising restaurant chain claims the title as America's margarita king
Chili's holds the title of America's margarita king after pulling off ' the best comeback of all time.' Margaritas are the top-selling cocktail in the US, and Chili's sells more than any other restaurant brand nationwide. Last year alone, it sold more than 25 million margaritas. Chief marketing officer (CMO) George Felix revealed its iconic margaritas are an important part of the restaurant chain while speaking with Marketing Dive. The beverages also inspired Chili's to walk on the creative side and create a rom-com short film with Lifetime titled 'I'll Be Home for National Margarita Day.' The movie, starring Taye Diggs and Maria Menounos, premiered less than a week before National Margarita Day in February. Chili's also celebrated its fan-favorite Presidente Margarita by releasing a music video as part of its 'Ride the Dente' campaign with Spire Motorsports. The chain is a frequent Talladega Superspeedway sponsor, and it brought a margarita shaker-shaped mechanical bull to a NASCAR event last month. 'It's fun to see the NASCAR audience really get to experience the true meaning of Ride the 'Dente,' Felix said. 'We think that reaching the NASCAR audience with the country music approach seemed like a great fit.' The CMO hinted the brand is currently thinking of ideas for next year's National Margarita Day, and hopes the Lifetime partnership 'spurs more celebrations of a really important holiday.' Until then, Chili's is busy advertising its Radical 'Rita, a limited-time beverage, and May's margarita of the month. The brand recruited 90s icon Tiffani Thiessen to help promote the newest margarita, available for $6 at participating locations until Saturday. Thiessen rose to fame for her role as Kelly Kapowski on Saved by the Bell. 'Everyone knows me from my days on America's favorite '90s sitcom, but what they might not know is that I also love a great margarita — and some of my favorite early memories with my husband were made at Chili's,' she said. 'Chili's really knows how to tap into the spirit of such an iconic decade — one I'm especially fond of — with their Radical 'Rita.' Chili's named its new Radical 'Rita this month's margarita of the month. The drink will be available for $6 until May 31 With May wrapping up, Chili's is expected to name its newest margarita of the month shortly. Chili's margarita boom comes after its stunning earnings hike. The restaurant chain has seen a surge in customers since last year and not followed in the footsteps of competition that's filed for bankruptcy. Chili's is also one of many companies that offer music and free Wi-Fi in restaurants, two things experts claim are fueling the chain's comeback. Its competitors have not been so lucky. Applebee's shuttered nearly 100 locations between 2023 and 2024, with 35 being closed last year. TGI Fridays has been getting slaughtered financially and now has less than 100 US restaurants after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November. These restaurants, along with recent filers Hooters and On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, are known for offering fan-favorite drink deals year-round similar to Chili's.
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Margaritaville hosted their annual Margarita University in Panama City Beach
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WMBB) – Visitors in Panama City Beach are wasting away at Margaritaville. Saturday is National Margarita Day and Margaritaville is celebrating by hosting their annual Margarita University where they teach the audience how to craft the perfect margarita. Denise Abear has been a mixologist and bartender at Margaritaville restaurant in Panama City Beach since its opening in 2008. She says National Margarita Day marks the end of the slow season here. Rooms with a Purpose completes first makeover of the year 'It gets extra busy, but it's kind of like the last of like the locals and the snowbirds come in and before it starts getting really, really busy and Pier Park, it's like their last like hurrah to come hang out and not have to wait, you know, a long time to get into any, any restaurant really impaired part but us, us also,' Abear said. Abear says the key to making a perfect margarita isn't so much about how much you pour but keeping the recipe consistent. 'The consistency of your actual specks on your pour if you do not have enough tequila or too much sour mix or something like that, it just won't taste as good. You know, we want it to be the same every time,' Abear added. A little fun fact about the name margarita in English it's the name of the drink. In Spanish, it translates to the 'daisy flower'. It is also commonly used as a feminine first name. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Liam Gallagher recalls Paul McCartney margarita gaffe that left him red-faced
Saturday (February 22) is National Margarita Day and while it might be tempting to share an innovative twist on the classic cocktail, we're instead revisiting a different kind of mix-up. It involves Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher, who made a guest appearance on the popular US talk show, The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, where he shared a humorous anecdote about a chance encounter with Sir Paul McCartney. Few individuals could leave the 52 year-old Rock 'n' Roll Star starstruck, but when it comes to a member of The Beatles - a band he has always idolised - it's perhaps understandable that Liam might get his wires crossed. READ MORE: Gordon Ramsay drops huge wedding details as daughter prepares to marry Olympic champ Adam Peaty READ MORE: Peter Kay makes another Lisa Riley joke as comedian returns to stage after chaotic Manchester gig In a backstage clip shared to YouTube, Gallagher recalled the conversation with McCartney, 82, at London's Royal Albert Hall during the programme's Tales From Tour segment. "So I go in there and I don't really ask people for autographs, but I thought I'd get it for my kid's headteacher," he joked. "I went in there and said, 'Excuse me, Mr Paul McCartney - is there any chance you could just sign this for us? And I'll be out of your hair'." Imitating McCartney's Scouse accent, Gallagher explained how he was invited over and asked how he was doing. "I said, 'Yeah, I'm good - just go on and sign there," Gallagher continued. "Good gig and all that stuff." The Oasis star then revealed that McCartney asked him: "Why are you always rushing around? Do you like margaritas?" Gallagher responded: "I said, 'I do yeah, but I've just eaten before I came out'. He went, 'No, the bloody drink, you d***head!' - and that's my tale from the touring side of business!" A YouTube user couldn't contain their enthusiasm after watching the clip, exclaiming: "This man needs his own reality TV show. Comedy genius GOLD." Another added: "Amazing story. Paul is one of Liam's musical heroes, and it's so funny that Paul offered him a drink, and Liam thought it was food." Further adding to the chorus of amusement, a third remarked: "I literally lol'd at this. No matter how you feel about Oasis as a band, you have to admit Liam and Noel give hilarious interviews." While a fourth simply stated: "Would love to have been a fly on the wall when that happened." According to Patron Tequila, meanwhile, National Margarita Day owes its origins to an American commercial real estate agent named Todd McCalla, who reportedly established the day around 2008. Their website details: "The day was created simply to share his love of margaritas, and to promote a more sophisticated appreciation of the beverage."
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
It's National Margarita Day! Try these fun mixologist-approved twists
The history of the margarita has remained a bit of a mystery. No one seems sure exactly who invented or named it, though traces of the sweet, sour and sometimes salty cocktail date back to Prohibition. What we do know: There's nothing quite like sipping one — ideally paired with some authentic tacos — to wash your cares away. In honor of National Margarita Day (Feb. 22), we asked professional mixologists how they like to drink this beloved cocktail. From adding a touch of heat to experimenting with garnishes, their ideas will give your margaritas a whole new twist. We also included their favorite store-bought mixes and other must-haves to help you perfect your recipe — and have fun while you're at it. But first, here's a basic margarita recipe from Jonathan Adler, beverage director at Shinji's in New York City: Start with 2 oz. high-quality, additive-free tequila (he likes Patrón Reposado, "which brings a subtle oakiness that adds depth"). Mix with ½ oz. Cointreau, ¼ oz. agave syrup "for just the right sweetness" and 1 oz. fresh lime juice. Shake it all up with ice for 10 to 15 seconds "to get that perfect balance of chill and dilution," then strain it into a rocks glass over fresh ice. "A salt rim is optional, but it ties everything together." If you'd rather make it a mocktail, swap the tequila for a zero-proof alternative like Ritual Zero Proof Tequila or Lyre's Agave Blanco to get in on the fun without the buzz. (Here's our guide to the best nonalcoholic drinks of 2025.) 1. Add a kick. To spice things up, Adler relies on a few drops of a homemade spicy tincture. "I make mine by infusing Patrón Silver with dried Thai chilis. Just blend four chiles with 200 ml. of the tequila, let it sit for a week, then strain it through a coffee filter. It's an easy way to control the heat level, drop by drop, without overpowering the other flavors." For another (hot) take, Jesus Aguilar, bar manager of La Contenta Oeste in New York City, recommends infusing the tequila with dried morita chile (smoked baby jalapeño), which he says imparts a smoky and spicy flavor with hints of plum. "After infusing three whole morita chile peppers in a bottle of tequila for approximately three hours, remove the chiles and allow them to dry," he advises. "Once dried, grind the chiles and mix the chile powder with equal parts of kosher salt and sugar (we like Sugar in the Raw brand) to rim the glass." Rob Floyd, celebrity mixologist for Princess Cruises, says one of his favorite drinks they serve on the ships is the Mayan Heat, "which brings together smooth tequila, fresh lime juice, agave, and just the right kick of jalapeño." To make it, you'll need 2 oz. Patrón Silver, ½ oz. lime juice, ½ oz. agave syrup, ¼ oz. triple sec and 1 slice of fresh jalapeño (plus one more for garnish). "Shake and strain all ingredients over fresh ice, then garnish with a fresh slice of jalapeño." Marcelo Chasi, a former bartender at Flatiron Lounge in New York City who serves as an ambassador for Tequila Herradura, likes combining jalapeño and cucumber for a milder take. "Muddle a few slices of cucumber, two slices of jalapeño and some fresh lime juice," he advises. "Finish with agave nectar and you've made yourself a spicy cucumber margarita!" And if you want a quick fix? "Either drop in a couple of dashes of your favorite hot sauce or a couple of jalapeño slices to the shaker," advises Caroline Pardilla, cocktail writer and author of "Margarita Time," a cocktail book coming out March 25. Then add the rest of the ingredients, give everything a good shake and you're good to go. "I love to add color and flavor to my margaritas at home by swapping out the simple syrup for a cordial," shares mixologist and freelance beverage director Wyn Vida. "Lately, I've been playing with watermelon juice and finding ways to incorporate it into everything." She combines 2 oz. Dulce Vida 100 Proof Blanco, 1 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice, 3/4 oz. watermelon cordial (equal parts watermelon juice and sugar, stirred over low heat in a saucepan for a few minutes) and ¼ oz. Naranja Orange Liqueur. Shake for eight seconds and strain into a rocks glass over ice, with a Tajin and chamoy rim. "Garnish it with a Sour Patch Kids watermelon candy on a pick," she adds. "I guarantee your guests will be wowed by the color and nostalgia it brings them." If you don't have time to make a cordial, "a fruity marg can be had by using fruit juice in the place of the triple sec," adds Pardilla. (Aside from watermelon, mango and pineapple are popular, vibrant juice options.) Better yet, mix sweet and spicy, Aguilar says is the trick to his favorite margarita is a pineapple margarita, which will be offered as a special at La Contenta Oeste this National Margarita Day. "Combine four slices of fresh pineapple and five pieces of a small, flavorful chile called chiltepin, which gives an intense, fruity spiciness with earthy notes that pairs well with the sweetness and acidity of the pineapple." Infuse the pineapple and chiltepin chiles together in a bottle of tequila for three hours. To rim the glass, remove the pineapple slices and chiles from the infused tequila, let them dry out, and then grind together and mix with equal parts of salt and sugar. 3. Make it bloom. Botanicals offer another way to add color (plus sweet or herbal depth), and hibiscus tops the list among our experts for its rosy glow. Alessio Altomare, beverage manager at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, snuck us a recipe for a hibiscus margarita he says will soon be served at the hotel: Combine in a shaker ¾ oz. hibiscus syrup, ½ oz. orange liqueur (Cointreau or Grand Marnier), 2 oz. tequila blanco and 1 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice. Fill with large ice cubes and shake well for 15 seconds before straining into a glass rimmed with pink Himalayan salt and filled with large rock ice. Charli Gonzalez, a mixologist at STK Steakhouse, adds, "Sometimes I'll even mix a little dried hibiscus powder into my salt for a pop of color." 4. Caramelize it. "Elevating a margarita is all about layering flavor and texture," says Gonzalez. "Infused syrups, like chile honey or hibiscus agave, bring a unique twist. If you're not making them at home, a splash of a quality hibiscus syrup or hot honey syrup works great — just mix well to blend the flavors." Gonzalez also says roasting or smoking citrus adds a deep caramelized edge: "Just cut your limes or oranges in half and give them a quick sear or use a kitchen torch until lightly charred." 5. Amp up the orange flavor. Federico Doldi, the former director of beverages and bar operations at the Gansevoort Hotel, suggests swapping the traditional margarita base for an equal blend of tequila blanco and Savoia, an Italian apertif with notes of bitter orange. "The result is a refreshingly bright and refined new spin on the beloved original — smooth, zesty, and layered with complexity. Perfect for those looking to elevate their margarita experience with a modern yet elegant Italian touch."
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
National Margarita Day: Top spots in western Massachusetts
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – Saturday is National Margarita Day, a day where you can rim a glass with salt and serve up a beverage that tastes like the summer sun! On the Border in West Springfield permanently closed Whether you enjoy a margarita on the rocks or blended, this day is for you. The National Day Calendar, the margarita is known to be the most common tequila-based cocktail served in the United States and consists of tequila, triple sec, and lime or lemon juice. One of the key ingredients in the cocktail is freshly squeezed lime juice. If lemons are used, it will have a much softer taste. Lime is not the only flavor of margarita, as specialists behind the bar have gotten creative mixing dried herbs, infused sugars, and exotic salts to enhance both the presentation of the glass and the flavor of the cocktail. To celebrate, grab yourself a margarita on this Saturday! Yelp has provided a list of the best places in western Massachusetts to grab a margarita: Posado Grill – 238 Main Street, Greenfield Ombra – 27 Housatonic Street, Lenox Mission Cantina – 485 W Street, Amherst Agaves Mexican Grill – 389 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington Lolas Longmeadow – 732 Bliss Road, Longmeadow Tito's Mexican Grill – 34 Depot Street, Pittsfield Frontera Grill – 1625 Memorial Drive, Chicopee Mazatlan Mexican Grill and Bar – 621 N Main Street, East Longmeadow Condesa – Sturbridge – 178 Main Street, Sturbridge Macho Taco – 67 Springfield Street, Agawam WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
