Was the Mojito born from 16th-century legend or 1930s marketing?
In short: The history of the Mojito is shrouded in cocktail mythology. This video examines the gap between the legend of Captain Drake and the first verifiable recipes that define the drink we love today.
While a popular legend claims Captain Drake received an 'El Draque' recipe in Cuba in 1586, historical evidence is thin. The first written mention of such a drink appears in an 1833 book by Ramón de Palma, yet it lacks specific ingredients.
The true evolution of the recipe appears in early 20th-century Cuban texts. A 1927 guide describes a 'Mojo Criollo' without mint, but Juan A. Lasa’s 1929 'Libro de Cocktail' provides a formula for 'Mojo de Ron' that closely resembles the modern Mojito, using rum, sugar, lime, mint, and soda. Interestingly, the name 'Mojito' wasn't used until 1931, when it was applied to the drink by Sloppy Joe's Bar.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: First Printed Cuban Mojito Cocktail 2 Versions - Cocktails After Dark - Glen And Friends Cooking
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