Tequila Daisy Recipe

An aptly named dainty cocktail that might be the predecessor of the Margarita.

“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet,” wrote William Shakespeare in Romeo and Juliet. Can we say then, that whether we call this cocktail a Daisy or a Margarita, it is still just as delicious? I’ll say yes, especially because they are not exactly the same cocktail. While the Margarita may certainly be inspired in the Daisy, a Daisy holds its own refreshing right.

Here is the scoop. The Tequila Daisy is a variation of an old cocktail known as the Daisy, of which there are many variations. Its first appearance in print was in 1862, but it’s also said to have been invented in the early 1870s at Fred Eberlin’s bar, located around the corner from the New York Stock Exchange. According to Jerry Thomas’s 1876 recipe, the Daisy consisted of a shot of whiskey, lemon juice, and “orange cordial,” strained into a large cocktail glass filled with ice and topped with a splash of soda.

By the time it appeared in E. Moreno’s “Manual del Cantinero,” published in Mexico City in 1910, the traditional Daisy was made with orange liqueur and served straight up with little to no soda.

A newer version, using tequila and grenadine instead of orange liqueur and served in a tall glass with soda, cracked ice, and a mint sprig garnish is said to have originated in the 1930s during the Prohibition era. The story claims that American tourists in Mexico popularized the drink, which became a bar standard through the mid-1900s. After a decline in popularity in the 1970s and 1980s – perhaps thanks to the rise of the Margarita –  the Daisy cocktail has seen a resurgence among bartenders thanks to the classic cocktail renaissance of the last decade.

You can see how the traditional version, served up, would have evolved into the Margarita we all know and love. And it certainly makes sense, since margarita is Spanish for daisy.

This cocktail is great because it is super simple to make and incredibly versatile. Made with only four ingredients, it is bright and pairs wonderfully with food – think ceviche, spicy seafood, or anything salty that can use the balance of the sweet and sour flavors in the lemony Daisy.

As mentioned previously, this cocktail is similar to the Classic Margarita and even the Tequila Martini, but if you switch out your spirit base you can make a Sidecar. How’s that for versatility?

What is the best Tequila to Use in a Daisy?

As with any tequila cocktail that doesn’t include a lot of ingredients or clashing flavors, choose a tequila that you love to sip on its own. You want the agave flavors to be complemented, not obscured, by the citrus and sugar. I’d go with a clean blanco like Patrón Silver, Fortaleza Plata or Olmeca Altos, but no reason why you couldn’t experiment with a reposado if you prefer a richer flavor. Just make sure you always use a 100% Blue Weber agave tequila.

FAQs, Tips & Tricks

Tequila Daisy Variations

• Classic Margarita: The ultimate tequila cocktail, and the classic follow-up to the Tequila Daisy.
• Tommy’s Margarita: An agave forward cocktail that uses agave syrup instead of simple syrup.
• Tequila Martini: Dry, boozy and all-around delicious.
• Paloma: Add fresh grapefruit juice, grapefruit soda, or both for a refreshing tequila cocktail.
• Lemon Drop Martini: Swap the tequila for vodka and add a sugar rim for this tasty classic.