Margarita Madness

In our ongoing series covering conveniently indulgent food- and drink-focused holidays (see also: National Pizza Pie Day and Drink Wine Day), next up we will highlight the simple brilliance of National Margarita Day. With the holiday falling on Sunday, Feb. 22, you have an entire weekend to celebrate. River North Mexican dining destination Zocalo is seizing the opportunity to show off its deliciously innovative margarita menu, from a flavored flight to an array of inventive recipes.

Created specially for National Margarita Day, Zocalo will be serving a Tropical Margarita Flight ($12) featuring prickly pear, passion-mango and guava flavors. Also inspired by the occasion are two new margarita recipes at Zocalo, including the "1942 Margarita," a high-end blend of Don Julio 1942, agave nectar and lime juice ($20); and a black cherry margarita with Don Julio Blanco, black cherry juice and lime juice ($8). Zocalo's usual selection of margaritas will also be on hand, such as the Partida organic margarita with Partida Reposado Tequila, lime juice and 100 percent organic agave nectar ($12); and the strawberry-jalapeno margarita made with Agave Loco Pepper-Cured Reposado Tequila, triple sec, lime juice, fresh strawberries and a sugar rim ($10).

While sipping these concoctions, you can debate the origins of the humble margarita -- various legends place the first margarita everywhere from Galveston, Texas to Mexico City to Acapulco. Perhaps not surprisingly, most of the tales involve a woman -- one colorful story even relates the original margarita being inspired by iconic actress Rita Hayworth, whose real name was Margarita Cansino. Whatever you believe, viva las margaritas!