Summer Cocktails born in Texas! The Frozen Margarita and The Chilton are two refreshing summer cocktails that are served in homes, country clubs and bars across the world, but did you know that they were born right here in Texas?
The Frozen Margarita’s origin can be traced back to Dallas with a high school dropout who had dreams of opening his own business. With $500 in hand and a small business loan, Mariano Martinez opened Mariano’s Hacienda restaurant in East Dallas where he started serving margaritas. He soon realized that the consistency was off, later on, the Slurpee machine at a local 7-Eleven gave him the inspiration to create the first frozen margarita. An old soft-ice cream machine was adapted and the world’s first frozen margarita machine was born!
Today, the original machine can be found at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.
The Chilton – a summer cocktail as bright and pure as the West Texas sun. This lemony cocktail was allegedly born of a thirsty Lubbock doctor and a country club bartender who conspired to come up with a refreshing South Plains potable. Although some claim that the legend of Dr. Chilton and his zesty creation “remains a rumor” the blog for the city’s CVB, on the other hand, includes the tale in its list of “Lubbock fun facts.” The Chilton – sunshine in a glass – is a gloriously simple beverage that’s as dry and unpretentious as the plains of West Texas.
Ingredients for a Classic Frozen Margarita
5 cups ice cubes (crushed)
3/4 cup tequila (silver or gold)
1/3 cup course salt
lemon wedge to garnish
Fill a margarita glass with ice. Add tequila, triple sec and lime juice and stir gently. Rim the glass with salt, then garnish with a lemon wheel or wedge.
Ingredients for The Chilton
1 1/2 oz. vodka
Juice of 2 lemons
Rim a highball glass with salt, then fill with ice. Add vodka and lemon juice. Fill the glass with soda water and stir gently. Garnish with a lemon wheel or wedge.
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