Mojito: The Ultimate Refreshing Drink
The mojito is one of the most famous cocktails from Cuba, a spirited beverage that has won the hearts of millions with its sublime taste and unique freshness. On warm summer nights, the mojito is the perfect choice to quench your thirst and sweeten the evening with a refreshing touch.
Like other cocktails such as the margarita or martini, mojitos come with fascinating stories and anecdotes that you’ll learn about today. Whether you're a mojito lover or not, this post is dedicated to one of the best drinks at our cocktail bar in Barcelona. Discover it for yourself!
A Pirate’s Treasure and a Hero
The origins of this succulent drink, according to ancient texts, date back to the late 16th century. Unlike other cocktails, the mojito was not invented by a bartender or created to honour a celebrity, but rather by a renowned privateer.
Sir Richard Drake, known in Spain as Francisco Draque, was a privateer in the service of Queen Elizabeth I. Among his feats are being the second person to circumnavigate the globe and leading expeditions to Spain and the Indies. He is also credited with inventing the mojito, which was originally known as "Drake" or "Draquecito".
The original drink was made with tafia (a primitive rum made from sugarcane) and was used as a method to prevent illnesses like scurvy during long sea voyages. Drake celebrated his victories and plunders with this self-made cocktail, which included ingredients such as rum, mint, lime, soda water, and sugar.
The Meaning of "Mojito"
After the death of the privateer Drake, and by 1860, various bars and taverns in South America began to commercialise this drink. However, the recipe was modified, replacing tafia with rum, which improved its flavour. The cocktail gained popularity in Cuba, where it was first prepared.
Initially, the drink was still known as “Drake,” but over time its name changed to “mojito.” The word derives from the term “mojo,” a lime-based dressing that restaurateurs on the island used to serve the drink to visitors, many of whom were English. Interestingly, the ice used in mojitos was not originally crushed; this was later incorporated to refine cocktail preparation.
Other Ways to Enjoy a Mojito
Although the mojito is known as an alcoholic beverage, its exquisite flavour and ingredient base have led to adaptations of the recipe into non-alcoholic versions and those with alternative ingredients such as coconut milk, mango, strawberries, watermelon, and nuts. The combination of sugar, mint, and lime has inspired products like cakes, sorbets, candies, and ice creams. There’s even a variety of crisps with a mojito flavour.
In fact, you can find up to 240 mojito recipes online. Amazing, isn’t it?
The Favourite Drink of Celebrities
If you visit Cuba, you’ll find an iconic bar called Bodeguita del Medio, one of the island’s oldest establishments, closely associated with the popularisation of the mojito. Over the years, millions of people have visited this place, including celebrities like John Wayne, Frank Sinatra, and the great writer Ernest Hemingway. These figures were captivated not only by the essence of the mojito but also by the bar’s atmosphere.
Finally, in honour of this popular Cuban drink and its variations, 11th July is celebrated as International Mojito Day.
These were our 4 curiosities about the mojito. We hope this article has helped you learn more about the history and quirks of one of the world’s most famous cocktails. And before we go, we invite you to refresh your evening with a delicious mojito at My Way restaurant.