A mojito or two in Cuba
Cuba has been famous for its rum since the 1500s. The rum pirates loved and drank so much, was not the same as today’s. Then, it was bitter and with a high percentage of alcohol. Still, they did love to put sugar and few herbs in it. This mixture called draguecito or “little dragon” is probably the ancestor of the famous mojito, one of the most famous Cuban cocktails we enjoy today all over the world.

Charming Plaza de la Catedral
For those of you who don’t know much about it, here are few details on how to make it. It comes in a big glass, white cane sugar is mixed with lime juice and crushed stem of mint. They add white rum to this and the glass is filled with sparkling mineral water and chopped ice.
And you know where the “temple” of mojito is located? In Havana, of course! So, when you visit Cuba, make sure to come here for a drink, and here’s why.

Well known bar in Havana
La Bodeguita del Medio
The famous cafe La Bodeguita del Medio is situated in Habana Vieja (Old Havana). This is a must when you come to Cuba, so when you go to Plaza de la Catedral (more about the Old Havana in one of the next Glimpses), and you stand in front of the Catedral de San Cristobal, you should turn left in Calle Empedrado, and at the halfway point there you will find this legendary restaurant. La Bodeguita del Medio literally means “little shop in the middle”.

Serving mojito in La Bodeguita
The place was founded in 1942 as a food shop. A bar serving alcoholic drinks was added later and the place became a haunt for intellectuals, artists and politicians. Today this is one bustling bar serving shots of rum and Cuban cocktails, along with some typical Creole dishes. The walls are plastered with photographs, drawings, inscriptions, visitor’s autographs, including those of Nat King Cole or Gabriel Garcia Marquez. And Ernest Hemingway, of course, who was a regular here and actually made the place so famous worldwide.

Pictures of famous guests
Hemingway as a regular
So, in the previous Glimpse we have covered those Hemingway’s 20 years in Havana and the house he bought in the fishermen’s neighborhood, that is now a popular museum. But, before he got him the Finca La Vigia villa, he was in Cuba for the whole year, in 1939. During that time he stayed at Havana’s hotel the Ambos Mundos, another “must see” in the Old Havana.

The Ambos Mundos Hotel
One of Hemingway’s passions was rum and he enjoyed Cuban cocktails. Conveniently, his hotel was not far from La Bodeguita del Medio, so he spent a lot of time here drinking mojito. You will find few photos of him accompanied by belated Cuban president Fidel Castro on the wall of the bar, along with his writing saying “My mojito in La Bodeguita, my daiquiri in El Floredita”.

Hemingway’s inscription in La Bodeguita
Daiquiri in El Floridita
So, my next stop was El Floridita restaurant, of course! The additional reason was that they say that Hemingway actually helped to invent daiquiri, as it is served today.
It’s not hard to find it. You stroll along the popular Calle Obispo, where the Ambos Mundos is, and just keep walking a bit further. Remember that this restaurant was also close to the hotel. Looking from the street, you can immediately see that this is one charming bar.

El Floridita as seen from the street
And when you go in, Hemingway will greet you himself! Actually, there is a life-sized bust of the great novelist, sculpted by Fernando Boada while he was still alive, represented as standing at the bar. As if you can have a drink with the man!
They say that the famous daiquiri cocktail was devised here by barman Constante with the little help of Hemingway in 1930’s. It’s served in chilled cocktail glass. If you are wondering about the daiquiri recipe, here is a hint: white rum is firstly blended, mixed with sugar, maraschino, lime juice and crushed ice.

Hemingway greeting you himself
Rum tradition
To tell you the truth I didn’t think about rum that much before Cuba, nor cocktails for that matter. But when in Cuba you just have to try them and I was pleasantly surprised that drinks are soft, with low percentage of alcohol, tasty, refreshing.

Always busy in El Floridita
I read somewhere that rum was in use here ever since the 1500s when an impure distillate was first obtained from sugar cane. It was popular among pirates and in the 1920’s, during American Prohibition, Cuba – which has become “off limits” paradise for drinkers – developed and refined early cocktails and created others. One of those, we probably all heard of, is Cuba Libre (meaning “free Cuba”) made from rum and Coca-Cola mixed with ice and lime juice.

A glass of the famous daiquiri cocktail
One of the obligatory stops related to rum was also the Fundacion Destileria Havana Club. (Keep in mind that Havana Club is not the only brand of rum, although it is the most popular among foreign tourists. Locals usually drink other brands.) Here you will learn everything about distillation, oak barrels, and different types of rum. Silver Dry rum is often used in cocktails while the old rum is supposed to be drank neat…

Entrance into the Fundacion
You see how rum is truly a Cuban tradition, part of everyday life. And what better place to have a glass of that refreshing cocktail than – at the beach. That’s where we’re heading next!
Next: OFF TO THE BEACH, CARIBBEAN STYLE! (5)
The full Cuba SERIES
Cyril
Definitely, be trying out some cocktails when we visit Cuba, it is on our list of places to go.
WorldGlimpses
Would love to hear your impressions. Along with all the rum history, famous people, cocktails, the atmosphere itself, it’s such a unique experience in Cuba. 🙂
The Walking Map
Haven’t drunk rum in years, but I’ll check this museum out when I go to Cuba!
WorldGlimpses
I’m not a “drinker” myself, but it would be almost a “blasphemy” not to have mojito or daiquiri in Havana! 😀 It just goes with the rest of the atmosphere.
And yes, the rum museum is a nice stop, after all – this is one of Cuban traditions. 🙂
Antonina
Alcohol and me are totally incompatible, but I would visit the bars of Cuba nevertheless. For the sake of atmosphere and Hemingway. Thanks for the Cuban vibes!
WorldGlimpses
I agree. After all, this is not a post about alcohol, but rather about the rum tradition in Cuba, Hemingway’s favorite bars, one interesting period in Havana’s history that shouldn’t be missed when visiting. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Sandy N Vyjay
It is fascinating to know that Ernst Hemmingway helped in devising a cocktail. This is a fresh and refreshing perspective of Cuba. Had always read more about the cigars and classic cars.
WorldGlimpses
Oh, it’s all there – cigars and cars included, that’s Cuba! 😀
Of course I’ll have posts on those as well, but Cuba is so much more than just cigars and old cars. Such a vibrant country with so much history and lovely traditions! 🙂
Taiss TogetherToWherever
I do love rum so this was an interesting article to read for me. I particularly like that Hemingway had such a big role in drinking mojitos in Cuba. That is my top drink! Cheers to Hemmingway and Cuba for mojitos!
WorldGlimpses
Cheers to you, Taiss, and thank you for stopping by! 🙂 So glad you found the post interesting.
Anushka Aggarwal
Thanks for sharing the amazing history about rum, I haven’t been to Cuba, but it has always been on my list, so next time when I will head to Cuba will definitely try out their cocktails.
WorldGlimpses
I’m not really into alcohol, but these cocktails were nice, not strong, soft, refreshing, and you can always have one in the evening when the temperature drops a bit, or by the pool. You’ll love them! 🙂
Marvi
Ooohhh.. Interesting read. I didn’t know much about Cuba’s cocktail. Though i’m not much of a cocktail drinker, I think the experience itself is interesting enough 🙂
WorldGlimpses
Exactly! I didn’t know much about cocktails either, but I’ve learned a thing or two in Cuba. And the whole atmosphere was just great, so pleasant. 🙂
Bistra | The Magic of Traveling
I’m afraid that id I go to Cuba I’d never be sober to enjoy it! Seriously, I’m following the great writers like Hemingway and heading to a mojito or two!
WorldGlimpses
What ever makes you happy, Bistra, why not. 😛
gokulr27
Never thought Hemingway had a hand in devising a cocktail. I am totally trying this one. This place has really got some history.
WorldGlimpses
An interesting fact, isn’t it! 🙂
Traveling Well For Less
A mojito in Cuba would be perfect! Loving all this history, there’s so much to Cuba that most people don’t know about. Great tip about Havana Club rum.
WorldGlimpses
Thanks, hope my posts did bring some deeper insight into the whole Cuban experience. 🙂
neha
I don’t drink alcoholic drinks. So I was reading between the lines 🙂 . The architecture of the buildings, the setup of the cafe and everything else looks wonderful. I can’t wait to go to cuba
WorldGlimpses
I’m sure you’d appreciate the atmosphere of those bars. Again, this is not about alcohol. 😀 Thanks!
Jenn and Ed Coleman
Following Hemingway’s drinking exploits in Cuba seems like a good way to anchor a boozy trip. I always imagine Hem as a straight whiskey sort of guy and I am more of an anything with chocolate or fruit in it sort of drinker. Mojitos are solid in my book but I often take too much sugar for the purist.
It makes sense that prohibition would have brought a lot of tourists to Cuba. I just never connected the dots before.
WorldGlimpses
And it’s so interesting when you do, right, when all comes to its place and start to makes sense. 🙂
Oh well, I’m not a drinker myself, but there was no way to skip mojito and daiquiri in Havana. 😀 Don’t like sweet drinks either, but chocolate.. in a form of a chocolate… Yummy! 😛
Adrenaline Romance
Beautiful! I love the rustic atmosphere in this side of town. We don’t really drink, but we would love to visit those bars to check out Cuban non-alcoholic cocktails. 🙂
WorldGlimpses
You don’t have to, of course. Just imagine sitting next to Hemingway (the life-sized statue at the bar) with those photos on the wall. 🙂 It’s really a unique experience.
And Havana is rustic all around. There’ll be few posts on what to see in the city, hope you’ll find them interesting.
Thanks, guys! 🙂
Wanderlust Vegans
We went to Cuba in 2012. It was like 20% exploring and tours, 20% sleeping and 60% cocktails! Glad to see you found the cocktails too! We even brought home some rum! We didn’t make it to Havana though, maybe next time!
WorldGlimpses
That’s one huge reason to go back. 😉 Havana is really a unique city. You’re welcome to stop by the blog again these days, since there’ll be few posts solely on Havana this week. Thanks, guys! 🙂
bruceschinkel19
What an interesting view of Cuba, through the eyes of Hemingway. That looks like such a fun area to explore … and of course have a drink or 2!
WorldGlimpses
Hehehe, exactly! 😉