Margaritas Rock at Sedona Center
Jimmy Buffet may have immortalized Margaritaville with Florida’s beachside vibe, but this classic cocktail is infused with Southwestern roots. At its purest, its three ingredients of tequila, triple sec orange liqueur and lime are plentiful in our part of the world – so much so that in Arizona, the margarita is considered by many to be our unofficial state drink.
100 Years of Margarita Mysteries
Like any good cocktail, there are legends a-plenty about who and when it was first created, and even who it was named for. Stories date back to the 1930s and 40s and take two paths. One of the earliest says the drink is a variation on “daisy” cocktails that mix a spirit with a liqueur and citrus. Margarita is the Spanish word for daisy lending credibility to this cocktail lore.
Other tales attribute direct creations in Mexico or bordering cities. A British cocktail book has a recipe for the Picador with the same portions for the three ingredients. Around the same time, a Tijuana restaurant owner laid claims to the inventing the drink and naming it for a Ziegfeld dancer named Marjorie. That same year Jose Cuervo says a bartender invented it for a showgirl named Rita.
From Ensenada to Dallas, other bartenders, restaurants and socialites tell stories of bringing the drink to the mainstream.
Traditional Takes and Creative Twists
One thing we are sure of, nearly 100 years after those first documented delicious sip, we in Arizona continue to raise salt-rimmed glasses in celebration of this simple and versatile drink. Sipping a margarita under a shaded deck while taking in views of red rocks and unique desert landscapes is a bucket list experience. The drink at its purest is refreshing and relaxing. But its simplicity also lends itself to creative variations that can match your mood or your food.
Plan Your Own Margarita Crawl
At Sedona Center, it’s possible to enjoy your own “Margarita Crawl” and sample some of these twisty takes of the drink at our four family-owned restaurants.
● At Sedona Pizza Company, the Margarita Italiano infuses a classic margarita with a splash of orange juice and Amaretto Liqueur for that touch of La Dolce Vita. It’s the perfect aperitivo for the Italian-forward menu at this group-friendly restaurant.
● We put the tickle into life’s prickles with the Prickly Pear Margarita at Canyon Breeze. 3 Amigos Tequila Top Shelf is mixed with a prickly pear cactus bloom puree, sweet and sour, triple sec and twist of lime. It’s best enjoyed with friends, and Canyon Breeze offers all its margaritas by the pitcher.
● We put even more Southwest zest into the Don Diego Spicy Margarita at Don Diego Mexican Cantina. Astral Reposado Tequila, is mixed with a house-made jalapeño simple syrup, Triple Sec, and Passion Fruit Puree. It’s garnished with jalapeño and a Tajin rim.
● At Open Range Grill & Tavern, try our tribute to Sedona’s cloudless days kissed by the sun with the Sedona Blue Sky Margarita. This spin on the traditional drink includes 3 Amigos Tequila, Sweet and Sour, Triple Sec, Blue Curacao, and a twist of lime.
Whether you’re celebrating National Margarita Day on February 22 or just celebrating another beautiful day in the Southwest, you can enjoy this classic cocktail with friends and family while taking in breathtaking views of our red rocks. Now that’s something to cheers about.
