Safely Drinking a Margarita in its Birthplace-Juarez, Mexico

Some travelers search for the perfect Margarita, but for those looking for where the first margarita was poured and served, that search will lead them to Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.

Ciudad Juarez

the border was just yards away from us at night

Yes, you read that correctly, Juarez. Yes, that Juarez. The Mexican border city once labeled the most dangerous in the world, Juarez. And although I claim the true danger of Mexico is falling in love with her, I did have my reservations about Juarez. I’ll admit it. I felt a little uneasy and unsure, but after I spent roughly twenty-four hours in the city with no issues or concerns I can say if it’s the most dangerous city in the world, the world is in great shape.

And it was well before the margaritas when I started to feel comfortable.  Yes, the margaritas.

The Margarita is Born at the Kentucky Bar

The Margarita was born just steps from the US border. It didn’t happen in any of the beach towns where we drink them today or in the Florida Keys at Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville. Nope. It happened in Juarez. And local historian Julian Alvarez, a professor of Tourism at Juàrez University and a part-time tour guide, told us the story.

Julian shares his knowledge of Juarez over the Margarita

Legend states that during prohibition, a time when many Americans crossed the border to legally drink (just like today’s under 21 year old spring breakers), a women sitting at the bar simply asked for a drink. She asked the bartender to make something, anything. He decided to mix tequila with the limes and salt (always a good idea) add some ice, shake and serve.

She asked, “What’s it called?”

He asked, “What’s your name?”

And then suddenly the “Margarita” came to be.

a serving for the table… Margaritas

Club Kentucky-World Famous Kentucky Bar

Club Kentucky still serves a fantastic margarita today. I tasted many in my “career” and I definitely enjoyed the “original” enough to order a second and third. Actually we stayed for a while, and even when our ride left, a few of us stayed behind to enjoy a longer evening at the bar. It was a great time, we met some great people and definitely had some great conversation about the resurgence of Juarez. Not to mention, a few of our new friends, some lovely local latin ladies welcomed us beyond just friendly conversation. They paid our tab and dropped us off back at our hotel, the La Quinta Inn & Suites. Not a bad place at all. Again, thank you friends.

this is the place…

Yet, what made me smile most about the evening, was it was real, authentic. This wasn’t a tourist trap gimmick, not at all, this was real history and real people making a life in Juarez a city of 2million. So, not only did I change my perception about a place, but I also tasted history while doing it.

Stay Adventurous, Craig

Also, this image is part of the 2013  Mexican March Madness. This year it will consist of 31 photos during the 31 days of March. Also, I’d like to thank Authentic Cooper Canyon Dave and the Mexico Tourism Board for providing passage and allowing me to experience this part of Mexico. Ah Chihuahua!