My boss lady, upon occasion, sends me excited emails. This week was no exception:
“Hey! We went to New Braunfels over the weekend to float the river, and I discovered the best frozen margaritas! They come in a package that looks like an adult-sized, curvy Capri Sun! They were called Cordina Mar-Go-Rita and they ROCK! You just freeze them, smush them and they come with their own straw! They were perfect for floating down the river. You need to call them and do a story!”
Admittedly, this piqued my curiosity, after my jealously abated, and immediately made me crave a slushy, salt-tinged margarita and a lazy afternoon on the Brazos. But then I wondered, where, exactly, does one get the idea to cram adult beverage goodness into a juice box style package and who ARE these brilliant people? So I called Cordina to inquire about the inspiration behind their Mar-GO-Ritas.
Seems it all started a few years ago when Antonio La Martina was almost kicked off an Alabama beach while drinking a beer, explains company co-founder and brother of Antonio, Sal La Martina, “While we were sitting on the beach, my brother was told he couldn’t have glass on the beach. He noticed our nephew drinking form a Capri Sun and thought, “why not put our favorite cocktails in a pouch?”
From small moments, come big ideas so it seems.
The young, smart and incredibly attractive geniuses behind the Mar-GO-Rita
Founded by brothers Sal and Antonio, along with partner Craig Cordes, (all three of which the sight of sent the ladies of Best of Texas shamelessly swooning straight towards a cold shower), they launched the product in April 2009 and the Cordina Mar-Go-Rita has already made its debut in 12 states, including Texas. And while these grownup indulgences resemble the offspring of a late night rendezvous between a water bottle and a Capri Sun, these no-mix, no-blend, no-brainer cocktails pack a wallop, too. Says Sal, “What we use is 100% Blue Agave, where you get tequila, but instead of distilling we ferment the juice. That classifies us as a wine product. With each margarita, you’re getting the potency of two beers, or 8% alcohol!” Yee. Haw. Bonus points: If you just can’t finish your second, or more likely in my case sixth, Mar-GO-Rita, they’re resealable.
Upon further picking La Martina’s brain, I discovered that Cordina soon be stocking the shelves of your local convenience store with Mar-GO-Ritas, thanks to a new distribution deal with Republic National. “We’re also launching new flavors, too”, says Sal, “The additional products that we are working on are the Daiq-GO-ri, Pina-GO-lada, and GO-jito. All of our products are 100% natural and contain no flavorings, colors, or high fructose corn syrup. In the margarita, we use real lemon juice, lime juice, orange juice, and sugar. In our strawberry, we will be using real strawberries.”
La Martina continues, “We really want to change the way the world drinks frozen cocktails” I’ll say! As soon as I see one of those bad boys at my East Dallas 7-11, I may just shirk my favorite drive thru daiquiri place for good!
Gives a whole new meaning to, “Momma needs her go-go juice.”
Go-jito, anyone?
P.S. Special note to the La Martina duo and Craig Cordes: The ladies of Best of Texas would love to check out your… facilities.
