Updated Feb. 21, 2026, 11:27 a.m. ET
The margarita is a cocktail mainstay, and the drink, which has an elusive origin story, is celebrated on National Margarita Day, on Sunday, Feb. 22.
The tequila-based cocktail’s post-Prohibition emergence began with similar drinks like the Picador and Tequila Sour cropping up in cocktail books by 1939. By the ’40s, the margarita was being served in many places, including California and Texas. Its basic ingredients include tequila, lime juice (ideally freshly squeezed), orange liqueur like triple sec, and usually salt on the rim.
A thirst for margaritas has helped tequila sales outpace overall spirits sales in recent years. Even with overall spirits sales down 2.6% so far this year, tequila is down just 2.1%, according to Bump Williams Consulting of Shelton, Connecticut, which services the alcoholic beverage industry. Margarita-style ready-to-drink cocktails remain a favorite, too. “Tequila is the growth sector in spirits,” Bump Williams told USA TODAY.
There may be uncertainty about the origin of the margarita, but you can certainly find a deal on the drink this National Margarita Day.
Chili’s National Margarita Day specials and Margarita of the Month Club
Earlier this month, Chili’s launched a Margarita of the Month Club to accompany its monthly release of a new $6 seasonally or culturally-inspired margarita (this month’s is the StrawEddy Margarita). The restaurant chain is giving out free cocktail passport books to track your cocktails and began selling Margarita of the Month merch, including a polo shirt ($45) and hats ($30).
Chili’s also has several specials for National Margarita Day on Sunday, Feb. 22, including its strawberry-themed margarita of the month:
- $5 Tequila Classic margarita: This new twist on the traditional cocktail is made with Cuervo Tradicional Blanco, triple sec, Chili’s house-made sour, then garnished with a lime wedge.
- $6 StrawEddy Margarita of the Month: Made with Lunazul Blanco Tequila, Deep Eddy Lemon Vodka, strawberry puree and house-made sour (available all February at participating locations).
- $7 Patrón Frozen Margarita: Made with Patrón Silver Tequila, triple sec, lime juice and agave.
More National Margarita Day deals and specials
- Benihana: The Japanese restaurant chain has $9 margaritas all day from Sunday, Feb. 22, to Wednesday, Feb. 25. Among the options: the classic Rocky’s Margarita made with Altos Plata Tequila, Combier d’Orange, organic agave, yuzu, and Grand Marnier (also in mango, passion fruit, and strawberry varieties).
- Buffalo Wild Wings: You can get the new Spicy Margarita (made with spicy Ghost Tequila) for $10.50.
- Chuy’s: The Austin, Texas-founded Tex-Mex chain has National Margarita Day drink specials on Sunday, Feb. 22, including make any House ‘Rita a Grande for $2 more (includes special cup, while supplies last) and $1 Floaters. Deals are good for dine-in only.
- Condado Tacos: Get $27 margarita pitchers Friday to Sunday and try the new Mystery Margarita ($5) through March 2. If you guess the flavor, you can win free tacos for a year. Kids aged 10 and under eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée of $12 or more. Thursday through Saturday, you can get a two-margarita flight for $20.
- Duffy’s Sports Grill: Since National Margarita Day is on Sunday, Feb. 22, the Florida-based chain will have $2.22 el Jimador Margaritas all day long (dine-in only; not included in 2 for 1 drink specials).
- Fuzzy’s Taco Shop: Specials include $4 House Margaritas, $4 Sangria ‘Rita Swirls, and $4 Coors Light drafts. There are also two exclusive margaritas made with Pantalones Organic Tequila: the Party Pants Margarita, a two-flavor flight served in a limited-edition pants-shaped cup, and the Pants on Fire Margarita made with strawberry and jalapeño.
- Kona Grill: Celebrate National Margarita Day with margaritas for $6 from Sunday, Feb. 22, to Wednesday, Feb. 25.
- Lime Fresh Mexican Grill: The Florida-based fast casual chain has $5 Frozen Margaritas all day on Sunday, Feb. 22. There’s also a giveaway, which will get three lucky winners free margaritas for a year. You can enter online for the contest, which ends on Feb. 22, with winners announced on Sunday, March 1.
- Little Saints: The non-alcohol canned cocktail maker has a new Non-Alcoholic Margarita hitting online and retail to coincide with National Margarita Day. The canned margarita, which has no sugar and only five calories, is described by the company as “salt-kissed, tart with fresh lime, and bright with bitter orange, like the classic Cointreau-style margarita you’d order at your favorite bar.”
- Margaritas Mexican Restaurants: The Mexican restaurant chain has several National Margarita Day specials, including original and classic flavor margaritas for only $6, Patrón margaritas ($9.99) served in a souvenir cup, and a Patrón Trees ($39) with your pick of four classic flavor margaritas served in individually-sized Patrón bottles.
- Margaritaville: Members of the Paradise Points loyalty program can bring in any cup, glass or blender on Feb. 22 and get up to a 20-ounce “Margarita in Paradise” for $2. You can join the dining rewards program online.
- Native Grill & Wings: On National Margarita Day, you can get $6.50 Native Margaritas (offer good at participating locations for dine-in only).
- Ojos Locos Sports Cantina: Saturday, Feb. 21, and Sunday, Feb. 22, you can get $3 shorty House Margaritas or $5 regular House Margaritas, served frozen or on the rocks. Other drink options include: the $10 Cerveza-Rita made with Corona or Dos Equis Lager Especial blended with Ojos Locos’ signature frozen margarita, and the new $5 Spicy Strawberry Margarita made with Lalo Blanco, strawberry purée and fresh jalapeños.
- STK Steakhouse: The steakhouse chain will have $9 Perfect Margaritas all day on Sunday, Feb. 22 (offer not good at locations in Chicago, Oak Brook, Charlotte, and Boston).
- Tequila Corralejo: You can find specials on the the brand’s Corralejo Reposado Tequila at Target (buy 2 750ml bottles and save $8) and through BevMo delivery service (a $3 discount). Both deals run through May for Cinco de Mayo.
- Torchy Tacos: The Austin, Texas-headquartered chain has a pair of all-day National Margarita Day specials – $10 House Margaritas with a collectible Torchy’s cup (while supplies last) and $1 Patrón Blanco floaters.
- Twin Peaks: Celebrate National Margarita Day with the new Cuervo Tradicional Margarita, made with Jose Cuervo Tradicional Blanco, triple sec, agave, and lime juice.
- Velvet Taco: The Texas-founded restaurant has a $5 margarita special over the weekend through Sunday, Feb. 22.
This story has been updated with new information. Mike Snider is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, X and email him atmikegsnider & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider & msnider@usatoday.com.