Giovanni, The Margarita King, is making new waves - air, sound and otherwise, with his special product, The Margarita King Cocktail. Everything you need is already in the bottle: double gold, prize winning tequila from Mexico, a special blend of lemon and lime juices, sugar cane, and a unique double distilled orange liqueur. It was formulated by Giovanni himself, who earned his Margarita King title the hard way.
By Dianne Boate & Robert Meyer
Published: August, 2006
Giovanni, The Margarita King, is making new waves - air, sound and otherwise, with his special product, The Margarita King Cocktail. Everything you need is already in the bottle: double gold, prize winning tequila from Mexico, a special blend of lemon and lime juices, sugar cane, and a unique double distilled orange liqueur. It was formulated by Giovanni himself, who earned his Margarita King title the hard way.
When we sat down to talk, Giovanni explained that had been planning a career in architecture. He had one year to finish his studies in Colombia, South America, but the opportunity to come to the U.S. was irresistible.
Giovanni found a job as a busboy in a restaurant and eagerly learned all he could about the business – the bar, the food, the service – and the restaurant gods smiled, for soon Giovanni was inventing and perfecting his famous margaritas. He became co-owner of a restaurant and began to be the showman that would attract customers to his door.
Over the past 20 years Giovanni has opened 10 popular restaurants in San Francisco, but how did he get the title of Margarita King?
In 1987, a Margarita making contest was announced in the San Francisco Chronicle. Giovanni entered and won. A Chronicle writer hailed Giovanni as The Margarita King and the name stuck. He won the contest the next year, the year after that, again the next year, and two more years after that!
Giovanni secrets to success are practice, balance and quality. He says, I made thousands of Margaritas trying to perfect the flavor and balance. I put nothing but the best ingredients available in my product. I learned in life you give the best you get the best.
And, he has become a true success and remains the kind and caring man we met 20 years ago. Giovanni radiates good will and good feelings. He is generous with his time and abilities and products to help charities. At a glance, we’ll call to mind a line from an Emerson essay which says, I look on that man as happy, who, when there is a question of success, looks into his work for a reply, not into market, not into opinion, not into patronage. (Worship, 1860.)
Beyond margaritas, we could talk to this man of many interests about many things for hours. His musical ability to crank out mystical rhythms with two kitchen spoons is legendary. In fact, while Robert and I were talking to him a beautiful package from Tiffany’s arrived. It was birthday present of two sterling silver spoons.
This year, at the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers Convention in Las Vegas, Robert was walking with an acquaintance and saw Giovanni in the distance doing his King Thing. Robert said, Ah! There is Giovanni, I wonder if he has his spoons with him. The other person said, Aw, come on Bob, do you really know Giovanni? In reply, Robert walked over and asked, Did you bring your spoons with you? Giovanni flashed his famous smile and whipped out the spoons and performed a small staccato rhythm.
Yes, it’s good to be friends with the Margarita King.
Beautiful bottles of Margarita King Cocktails are widely available at major stores that carry cocktail beverages. Also, check out the twirling margarita glasses at www.themargaritaking.com
Rosenblum Cellars
Pre-Harvest Open House
Aug. 12-13, Noon-5PM
2900 Main St. — Steps from the Alameda’s ferry building, so you can take the ferry. New wines, weekend-only specials, live Caribbean music by Pan Extasy. $30 for the tasting event and a free Riedel glass.
Call (510) 865-7007 or visit: www.RosenblumCellars.com.
Dianne Boate is a freelance writer and photographer, currently studying botanical illustration. Robert Meyer is a consultant to the wine and spirits industry. At home, he makes his margaritas (more tequila) and she makes hers (more lemon juice), but they always salute each other, making it this far, with the good clink of green-tinted margarita glasses.
