Chili’s is famous for it’s Baby Back Ribs jingle, and for being next to malls across America. They serve very large Margaritas and hosted a contest to get people to talk about their Margaritas. I entered that contest, and – even though my song features jokes about robots AND aliens – somehow lost. That doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy a Chili’s Margarita sometimes. Read on to learn how they’re made, everything you want to know about Margaritas, Chili’s, and watch me sing at the piano with a robot voice.
What is Chili’s Restaurant?
Chili’s is an American casual dining restaurant chain that was founded by Larry Lavine in Texas in 1975. It is currently owned and operated by Brinker International and has over 1,600 locations worldwide1 Chili’s offers a variety of dishes, such as sandwiches, burgers, salads, fajitas, tacos, ribs, steaks, and more. But what really sets Chili’s apart is its signature bar food and drinks, especially its Margarita of the Month program.
What goes into a Chili’s Margarita?
A margarita is a cocktail that consists of tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice. The International Bartenders Association (IBA) standard for a margarita is 7:4:3 (50% tequila, 29% orange liqueur, and 21% lime juice). However, different bars and restaurants may use different ratios and brands of ingredients to create their own versions of the drink. For example, Chili’s uses Patrón Silver Tequila and Citrónge Extra Fine Orange Liqueur for its Cheers to Patrón ‘Rita, which is the Margarita of the Month for April 2023.
Where were Margaritas invented?
The history of the margarita is shrouded in mystery and folklore due to its numerous origin stories One of the earliest stories is that the margarita was invented in 1938 by Carlos “Danny” Herrera at his restaurant Rancho La Gloria, halfway between Tijuana and Rosarito, Baja California. He created the drink for a customer named Marjorie King, who was allergic to many spirits but not to tequila Another story claims that the margarita was invented in 1948 by Margarita Sames, a wealthy Dallas socialite who concocted the drink for her guests at her Acapulco vacation home. One of her guests was Tommy Hilton, who added the drink to his hotel chain’s menu However, this story is likely false, as an importer of Jose Cuervo tequila had already advertised the margarita as early as 1945 with the slogan “Margarita: it’s more than just a girl’s name.”
Why did I lose this Chili’s Margarita Contest?
I’ll show you the winning entry, but my guess is that I lost for three reasons (based on the winning entry)
- Too silly
- I didn’t feature any Margaritas
- Not young and attractive enough and I didn’t show off my midriff
I also note that the winning entry has kind of this country twang thing – I do not think that was necessary to win, and think a pop or rock song could have won, but I think the singers were the kind of people the judges really want to have winning their contest what with the relative youth and attractfulness.
Can we see the winning video?
Sure can. It’s by a band called Smithfield.
Should we drop “Reason for a Rita”?! #CincoDemayo pic.twitter.com/jZCTlHBkRh
— SmithField (@SmithfieldMusic) May 5, 2023
What is the best Margarita on earth?
The best margarita on earth is a matter of personal preference and taste. Some people may prefer a classic margarita with just tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice. Others may like to experiment with different flavors and ingredients, such as fruits, herbs, spices, or even beer. The best way to find your favorite margarita is to try different ones and see what suits your palate. At Chili’s, you can enjoy a new Margarita of the Month every month with premium ingredients and seasonal flavors. Some of our favorites are the Cherry Blossom ‘Rita (March), the Cheers to Patrón ‘Rita (April), and the Jackberry ‘Rita (May).
The Cherry Blossom ‘Rita is a sweet and floral twist on the classic margarita. It is made with Lunazul blanco tequila, St-Germain elderflower liqueur, Chili’s Fresh Sour mix, and grenadine syrup. It has a beautiful pink color and a delicate cherry blossom aroma.
The Cheers to Patrón ‘Rita is an ultra-premium margarita that celebrates one of the most iconic brands of tequila in the world. It is made with Patrón Silver Tequila and Citrónge Extra Fine Orange Liqueur for a smooth and balanced flavor. It is available in classic, mango or strawberry varieties.
Are Chili Margaritas any good?
Meh, they’re fine if you like Margaritas. A margarita is not rocket science. It’s not like some brilliant mixologist thing. Salt, a bunch of alcohol, and stuff that tastes good. If you’re into that kind of thing there is virtually no difference between the Margarita you get at a fancy bar in Soho and the one you get from Chili’s, so stop kidding yourself and enjoy it.