The Island PH
Tequila, lime, orange liqueur, ice, and salt on the side; by now you might be picturing a glass of margarita in your mind. Much like that citrus burst it gives at the start balanced by the saltiness on the rim and the flavor of the tequila that gives an overall cold burn on the mouth, margarita as we know it today has a rich history.
Many believed that it all started in 1948 by the Dallas socialite Margarita Sames. However, upon further digging there are actually various accounts on who originally created margarita. Some says it was in 1938 when Carlos Herrera who invented the drink in his restaurant between the borders of Tijuana and Rosarito in Mexico. It was said that the drink was specifically created for the dancer Marjorie King who is allergic to many spirits but not to tequila.
Other accounts says it was by the bartender Don Carlos Orozco in his cantina in Ensenada, Mexico in honor to Margarita Henkel who was the daughter of a German ambassador and visited the cantina one afternoon of October 1941. But news sources and experts in Mexico believe that Francisco Morales have the strongest claim on the creation of margarita, it was said that he first concocted the drink in July 4, 1942 at a bar in Juarez, Mexico. Nevertheless, we are grateful to whoever truly created this wonderful drink.
70 years after its creation, margarita is still celebrated and well loved by many including us. And we had the privilege to attend the “Margarita Loves Cointreau” event, a tribute to the 70th year of margarita, held at The Island at The Palace. Previously known as the The Palace Pool Club, the place closed for a short time before reopening its door to a more tropical and refreshing ambiance and changing its name to The Island. Located along 9th Ave in Uptown BGC, this “nightlife market” as they call it offers a number of mini bars and food stations inside like the Coco Loco for cocktails and slushies; Hops and Shots which serves beer and other drinks; Catch and Release which serves raw seafood; Smoking Hut for delicious barbecue selections; and The Big Kahuna which servers burgers and pizza, among others.
The event was in partnership with the Jose Cuervo Tradicional brand. The venue was bedazzled by fresh and vibrant tropical theme with accents of chic Acapulco-inspired colors. The event took place at the poolside which added more to the tropical paradise vibe of the place despite the venue being in the middle of the bustling Bonifacio Global City. There were great music, great food, fresh faces, and endless margarita – we felt like the modern day version of Margarita Sames’ lavish soirée back in the days.
Margarita loves Cointreau, a margarita is not a margarita without its Cointreau. And to quote Margarita Sames, “A margarita without Cointreau is not worth its salt”. For those who not quite familiar with their liqueurs, Cointreau can be traced back to the Loire Valley in France 165 years ago. Made from the peels of sweet and bitter oranges mixed with pure alcohol from sugar beets, Cointreau has been one of the favorite mixer of mixologists because of its versatility and ability to unveil the real spirit of cocktails. Many variations of margarita has been concocted through the years using other mixers like triple sec, curacao, and grand marnier, but all these has never drifted far away from the original essence of orange.
Going back to the event, it was a total blast and truly unforgettable. Some of the guests might had one or too many drinks but it only proves that margarita is perfect for any kind of celebration. No one can argue that margarita does love Cointreau whether it be a frozen margarita or iced or straight up. So, here’s a toast for the 70 years of margarita success and for the years to come.
be a frozen margarita or iced or straight up. So, here’s a toast for the 70 years of margarita success and for the years to come.
