History of the Frozen Margarita Machine

Although the origin of the margarita is full of lore and rumors, there is a clear history behind frozen margaritas and their inception. While previously margaritas were a regional cocktail, once the frozen margarita was created in 1971, the updated drink swept the nation and is served at bars and restaurants country (and world) wide. Curious about the masses’ favorite drink? Read on to learn more about the history of frozen margaritas and margarita machines. 

The Origin of the Frozen Margarita

Mariano Martinez grew up bussing tables at his father’s Mexican restaurant, El Charro, in Dallas. Although it was illegal to serve alcohol in restaurants at the time, Martinez has shared he remembers his father creating frozen margaritas in a blender for his patrons, and as you might expect, they were a hit. 

The secret margarita recipe? One the elder Martinez learned while working in a speakeasy in San Antonio in the 1930s. The secret ingredient? A sugary sweetness from simple syrup. 

With Mariano Martinez’s experience in the restaurant industry, it was no surprise that when Texas legislation ruled it legal for restaurants to serve alcohol in 1970, Martinez quickly opened his own eatery in Dallas – Mariano’s Mexican Cuisine.   

Mariano’s Mexican Cuisine

Opening night of the restaurant was a success, with more margaritas being poured than Martinez expected. However, come the second night, the bartender was so overwhelmed by the orders that he stopped measuring the ingredients for the famous Martinez margarita, and the patrons noticed the inconsistencies. 

The next morning while at 7/11, Martinez realized that a Slurpee machine would solve all of his problems and relieve the bartender from being overwhelmed by too many orders. However, the company refused to sell him one of the machines, so Martinez got creative with a soft-serve ice cream machine. 

The Original Frozen Margarita Machine

To overcome the chemistry issue with freezing alcohol, Martinez updated his dad’s favorite recipe with additional sugar to create the perfect slushie. The old ice cream machine churned out the Martinez family’s world-famous drinks for a decade before finally giving out. Although Martinez never received a patent for his margarita machine, it spawned thousands of other iterations that have brought frozen margaritas to restaurants and homes nationwide. 

Bring a little bit of history to your next party with a margarita machine provided by Party Pony Trailers. Give us a call today to discuss your next event!