Vino is muddling mint leaves and rum this Thursday to bring you the original Havanese highball: the Mojito! Made from white rum, sugar, lime, sparkling water and mint, this Cuban cocktail’s sweet refreshing blend makes it one of the world’s favorite summer drinks.
The origins of Mojito may be traced back to “El Draque”, a drink made from similar ingredients which was created in the 16th century to honor Sir Francis Drake. More recently, Guarapo, the sugar cane juice commonly drunk in Latin America and often used to make Mojitos is said to have been devised by African slaves working in Cuban sugar cane fields. It was the proliferation of rum and sugar in Cuba that led to the development of sweet, rum-based drinks: some suggest that the Mojito simply evolved from the Daiquiri (Havana’s other favorite cocktail) due to the similar choice of available ingredients.
Just as the Daiquiri is closely associated with Havana’s El Floridita bar, the Mojito gained popularity at La Bodeguita del Medio. Opened by Angel Martinez as Casa Martinez in 1942, this general store was quickly converted into a bar thanks to popular demand for the Mojito. After it was renamed La Bodeguita in 1950 the bar became frequented by the likes of Ernest Hemingway, Pablo Neruda and Gabriel Garcia Marquez, whose patronage ensured its landmark status as a focal point of Cuba’s cultural revolution. Today it is a common destination for tourists seeking an authentic Cuban Mojito.
We’ll do our best to provide just that on Thursday evening, when guest mixologist Dave Catania from St. Lucia Distillery will be using Chaiman’s Reserve Finest St. Lucia Rum to create this Cuban classic.
Free Cocktail Hour
MOJITO
Thursday, May 27
5:30-7:30pm
For more information please call 212-725-6516 or email info@vinosite.com.
Join us on Thursday as we mix the classic Margarita, made from tequila, triple sec and lime juice. Vino’s Scott Rosenbaum will be using only the best ingredients, including Milagro Tequila and Luxardo Triplum Triple Sec.
