3am: Mine's a Madg-arita.

Byline: WITH JESSICA CALLAN, EVA SIMPSON AND CAROLINE HEDLEY

MADONNA was so mad for a margarita cocktail at the weekend she sent staff scouring the streets of Manchester for mixers.

Sources at the Grinch bar say one of the Kabbalah queen's flunkies turned up at the city centre venue on Sunday.

The 46-year-old apparently had triple sec and tequila in her dressing room bar at the MEN Arena - but no margarita mix.

A spokesman for the bar said: "Suddenly one of her aides rushed in with a special request.

"He was still wearing his access all areas and stage passes. Staff were surprised but made the ingredients up for her anyway.

"It was poured into mineral water bottles and the bloke rushed back with them to Madonna at the gig."

And we thought real ale was Madge's preferred poison.

The US superstar mum-of-two, who says she was introduced to drinking by hubby Guy Ritchie, claims to be an avid fan of old-fashioned English boozers.

She has even singled out Timothy Taylor as her tipple of choice. Well, we're glad to hear that Madge is branching out with her beverages.

The bar source added: "It was the evening before Madonna's birthday so perhaps it was an early celebration drink for her. She obviously likes to do things in style."

That's one way to lift your spirits, Maddy!