You may be going to a party or two this weekend. If you're interested in learning about cocktails, here are 6 cocktails and their origins where you can enjoy them:
Margaritas from Mexico
While no one knows exactly who invented the margarita, a well-known fact is that it originated in Mexico. This “zesty” concoction is made by combining tequila, lime juice and Cointreau or Triple Sec in a salt-rimmed glass.
Tequila fans interested in the flavors and history behind the margaritas can also visit the Tequila Trail in Mexico, which includes Tequila towns such as El Arenal, Amatitán, Magdalena, and Teuchitlán.
A typical Cuban drink, the Mojito is made with lime, sugar, rum and spearmint or Yerba Buena. This refreshing cocktail is made by locals to reduce the taste of the sometimes too strong rum and make it tastier. The drink later gained popularity when many Americans traveled to Havana for vacation and tasted it and shared it on social media. The recipe was later refined in America with the addition of sparkling water and lots of ice.
When visiting Havana, be sure to visit La Bodeguita del Medio. Havana's most popular bar for enjoying a glass of Mojito is said to be one of the favorite bars of Ernest Hemingway, a famous American novelist and short story writer. According to myth, Hemingway enjoyed it so much that he wrote an ode to the drink on the wall of the bar.
Pimm's from London, England
Pimm's brew was originally used as a medical tonic in the 1840s and quickly gained popularity as a drink of delight in international waters. Pimm cups come in a wide variety of flavours, but most include a Pimm blend, alcohol-based gin and sparkling lemonade, topped with cucumber, orange, and strawberry.
Enjoy summer in the United Kingdom by going to the pub to taste Pimm's or visiting a convenience store to get a ready-made can of Pimm's and drink it on the go.
Piña Colada was invented at the Caribe Hilton Hotel in San Juan, by a bartender who wanted to make a drink that captures Puerto Rico's sunny and tropical atmosphere. This sweet concoction is made with rum, coconut cream and pineapple juice.
There's no better place to taste a Piña Colada than where it came from. Enjoy a nice drink at Caribar at Caribe Hilton while enjoying the amazing ocean view.
Sangria is a variation of the Spanish word, 'sangre', which means blood. This classic dark cocktail is a fermented mix of red wine and brandy, served with glassy fruits like apples, oranges and strawberries. Sometimes, fruit-flavoured liquor is also used. The history of drinking came about 2,000 years ago when water was not safe to drink. Locals add wine, herbs and spices to drinking water to kill bacteria and disguise the taste of the wine.
No trip to Spain is complete without a visit to Barcelona. Visit the bustling Santa Catarina neighborhood of restaurants and bars, and enjoy a classic combination of Spanish tapas and a chilled glass of Sangria.