Cocktails make our lives happy; This is a fact. They have infiltrated our society, our leisure. We see cocktails in bars, on television and in the cinema. On this occasion we suggest you join us on a unique journey through the history of cocktail making to know what these legendary combinations are, the famous cocktails that survive the eras.
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Among the most famous cocktails in Cuba: the Mojito
It is one of the most heard words on summer terraces. The mojito, one of the sweetest and most refreshing cocktails that exist, was curiously invented during the era of the American Dry Law, in 1930, in Havana. This popular Cuban cocktail also stands out for the simplicity of its recipe: white rum, sugar, mint, lime and soda. It is said that he was born in Bodeguita del Medio, a restaurant known for having been frequented by personalities such as Ernest Hemingway, Pablo Neruda and Salvador Allende.
Pina colada, from the 50’s song to the desired cocktail
One of the sweetest and most tropical famous cocktails that exists. The only aroma of the Pina colada transports us to a paradisiacal beach thanks to its mixture of rum, coconut liqueur and pineapple juice. It is considered the emblematic drink of Puerto Rico, since in 1978 it became the official drink of the country. It tells the story that it was invented in a luxury hotel during August 1954, when a famous bartender was commissioned to create a unique drink that was to become the exclusive feature of the hotel. Although its origin goes back to the 50s, its popularity becomes worldwide thanks to “Escape”, a mythical song by Rupert Holmes that we all know, the famous “Piña Colada Song”.
Cosmopolitan, in the top 3 of the famous cocktails
Certain famous cocktails owe their fame to the presence in mythical series, such as the example of Sex in New York and the legendary Cosmopolitan. In this popular American series, the group of four friends made up of Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda and Samantha always asked for a Cosmopolitan to accompany their characteristic meetings. It is served in the classic Martini glasses and consists of a combination of vodka, lemon juice, cranberry juice and triple dry. While the true origin of this cocktail is still unknown, what we can say with certainty is the role of divas like Madonna and Dita Von Teese in the popularization of the Cosmopolitan. After the famous bartender Toby Cecchini renewed the recipe for this combination, her fame spread throughout the rest of the world and, after having triumphed at the Grammy gala, Madonna was photographed taking one. After the photos were published, the Cosmopolitan recipe was the most demanded among bartenders worldwide.
A cocktail inspired by love: the story of Margarita
Considered the most popular cocktail in the United States, Margarita has its origin in Mexico. All the legends that revolve around the birth of this daring cocktail involve some woman as protagonist. One of the most popular versions known is that which tells how a Tijuana waiter fell madly in love with a young woman who frequented his bar daily and wanted to impress her by inventing a drink in his honour. This young lady was Margarita Carmen Cansino, who later became known as the actress Rita Hayworth. The ingredients of a Margarita cocktail are tequila, lemon juice and triple dry. It is also added as a final touch a little salt on the edge of the glass.
My Daiquiri in El Floridita
Another of the famous cocktails that carry white rum and the footprint of Hemingway in its history. The daiquiri was created by an American mining engineer, Cox Jennings, who, tired of the overwhelming Cuban heat, mixed rum with lime juice in a glass full of ice cubes. His name comes from the iron mine where he worked, near Santiago de Cuba. In addition to the mojito, the daiquiri was one of Ernest Hemingway’s favourite drinks, which whenever he visited Cuba, he passed by the La Floridita bar. From here comes his famous quote: “My mojito in La Bodeguita, my daiquiri in El Floridita”.
Cuba Libre, the cry of freedom after the war
Undoubtedly, one of the most famous cocktails in Spain, commonly known as “cubata”. Its origins go back to the year 1893, during the celebration of the independence of Cuba. When an army officer decided to prepare a combination of Bacardí rum, symbol of the spirit of freedom in Cuba, with Coca Cola, the new beverage par excellence of America, a historic moment happened. The motto of that moment was “Cuba libre Viva Forever!” And the name of the cocktail is still preserved as Cuba Libre.
Martini, the favourite of Sinatra, Buñuel and James Bond
We still do not know who the inventor of Martini was, the favourite cocktail of James Bond. The only known antecedents date back to the beginning of the 20th century and are related to the famous “Knickerbocker” hotel in New York. The original recipe includes dry vermouth, dry gin and ice. A strong, dry flavour with a certain acid touch. Agent 007 completely altered the original recipe, which created a great controversy among bartenders around the world. Substituting gin for vodka had (and still has) success in the United States, while in Europe the original recipe is preferred. The modification of James Bond was called “vodkatini”.
Bloody Mary: urban legends, bloodthirsty queens and tomato
Despite what its name suggests, this cocktail has nothing to do with Maria Tudor, the bloody queen of England. As in most famous cocktails, there is more than one theory regarding the origin of this peculiar combination. The most popular version bets on an American waiter named Fernand “Pete” Petiot as the true creator of the Bloody Mary. It is believed that he produced a first version of the cocktail in the early 1920s in a Parisian bar. Made with tomato, vodka and a stalk of celery, its main attraction is in hot sauces. An explosive combination hated by some and loved by others.
Some famous cocktails have become authentic icons, symbols of modernity that after decades are much more than simple drinks. They have already been born by inspiration, improvisation or lack of ingredients; the mixture of stories, legends and anecdotes that make these classic combinations a much more appetising drink. Remember that you can prepare many of these drinks with our daiquiri machines in Melbourne.