What does margarita mean?
A margarita is a well-known cocktail traditionally prepared with tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice. It is commonly served in a stemmed glass with salt around the rim, although versions prepared with ice, fruit juice, or alternative sweeteners are also widespread. The drink is established in both British and American English, where it may be ordered plain, on the rocks, or frozen. In less common usage, a margarita is a marguerite, a small daisy-like flowering plant. The word is especially recognizable because of its association with tequila-based cocktails, festive occasions, and vacations in warm climates. It is also useful in describing the drink’s presentation or ingredients, as in a salt-rimmed margarita or a frozen margarita. Despite the word’s Spanish origin, it functions as a natural part of ordinary English conversation and restaurant vocabulary.
nounA cocktail traditionally made with tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice, often served in a salt-rimmed glass. The word can also denote a marguerite, a small daisy-like flower.
- A cocktail traditionally made with tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice, commonly served with salt around the rim of the glass.
- Less commonly, a marguerite, a small daisy-like flowering plant.
"They ordered margaritas with salt around the rims and a wedge of lime."
"A fresh margarita on the rocks was the perfect welcome drink on a hot afternoon."
"The garden path was bordered by white margaritas blooming in the spring sunlight."
The usual plural for multiple glasses, drinks, or plants of this kind.
"They prepared several margaritas before the guests arrived."
The word margarita comes through Spanish from a name associated with daisies and pearls, giving a classic cocktail an unexpectedly floral vocabulary.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does margarita come from?
The English word comes from Spanish margarita, a diminutive associated with the flower name for a daisy. Spanish margarita in turn derives from Latin margarita, meaning a pearl, which ultimately comes from Greek margarites, a term for a precious stone or pearl. The related English words marguerite and margarite preserve this same etymological connection, while the cocktail acquired the modern name during the 20th century.
How margarita is actually used
As the name of the cocktail, margarita is informal everyday vocabulary in British and American English. It can also refer to a nonalcoholic imitation, although a specific label such as virgin margarita may be preferred when clarification is useful.