Hemingway Quote

Bagger Vance Drinking Quote

Rum and Coke

Drink History: The Cuba Libre

                I have enjoyed Rum and Coke since my Uncle introduced it to me as his favorite drink. His recipe doesn’t encompass what most people consider standard portions, since it is just a full glass of Rum with a touch of soda for coloring. From the moment the drink was introduced to me it has become my go-to for any bar or relaxing occasions (although bottom shelf Vodka shots have been a known alternate). It’s simple, easy to make, and easy to drink. But I did not understand the importance of the drink’s beginnings until I discovered its alternate name. I first heard the other name for Rum and Coke, the Cuba Libre, while studying abroad in Ecuador. I became infatuated with the name since the English translation is ‘Cuba Freedom’ and of course looked up the history to discover its glorious Cuban-American Heritage.

                The true beginnings reach back to the 1860s when Facundo Bacardi, the founder of Bacardi Rum (shocking I know), began mass production of low cost White Rum. The spread of White Rum was influential to the world of alcohol, as White Rum’s taste could be better manipulated, covered, and enriched when mixing a drink than using traditional dark rum. The next invention which would eventually comprise the famed concoction was that of Coca-Cola by John Pemberton, a pharmacist from Georgia, who created the world’s most popular soda in 1886. With the two main ingredients created, their paths were destined to cross in what the United States refers to as the Spanish-American War.

When Cuba began its struggle against its colonial oppressors, their overlords attempted to put down the fervor for freedom as many imperial powers have before, mass executions and population concentration. The United States could not just stand by and watch their colonial brethren be abused, so with the help of yellow journalism, the US intervened on behalf of the Cubans with the late, great Teddy Roosevelt participating in the fight. After a short struggle the Spanish capitulated and the Cubans were free.

  In what might be divine intervention the popular American soft drink and the native Bacardi Rum were united under the same roof. Rum, Coke, and Lime Juice were combined in a monumental moment in a bar full of Soldiers and civilians celebrating victory. One Soldier proposed a toast “To Cuban Freedom”. Thus the Cuba Libre was born.



 

 

The Cuba Libre

Drink History: The Cuba Libre

                I have enjoyed Rum and Coke since my Uncle introduced it to me as his favorite drink. His recipe doesn’t encompass what most people consider standard portions, since it is just a full glass of Rum with a touch of soda for coloring. From the moment the drink was introduced to me it has become my go-to for any bar or relaxing occasions (although bottom shelf Vodka shots have been a known alternate). It’s simple, easy to make, and easy to drink. But I did not understand the importance of the drink’s beginnings until I discovered its alternate name. I first heard the other name for Rum and Coke, the Cuba Libre, while studying abroad in Ecuador. I became infatuated with the name since the English translation is ‘Cuba Freedom’ and of course looked up the history to discover its glorious Cuban-American Heritage.

                The true beginnings reach back to the 1860s when Facundo Bacardi, the founder of Bacardi Rum (shocking I know), began mass production of low cost White Rum. The spread of White Rum was influential to the world of alcohol, as White Rum’s taste could be better manipulated, covered, and enriched when mixing a drink than using traditional dark rum. The next invention which would eventually comprise the famed concoction was that of Coca-Cola by John Pemberton, a pharmacist from Georgia, who created the world’s most popular soda in 1886. With the two main ingredients created, their paths were destined to cross in what the United States refers to as the Spanish-American War.

When Cuba began its struggle against its colonial oppressors, their overlords attempted to put down the fervor for freedom as many imperial powers have before, mass executions and population concentration. The United States could not just stand by and watch their colonial brethren be abused, so with the help of yellow journalism, the US intervened on behalf of the Cubans with the late, great Teddy Roosevelt participating in the fight. After a short struggle the Spanish capitulated and the Cubans were free.

  In what might be divine intervention the popular American soft drink and the native Bacardi Rum were united under the same roof. Rum, Coke, and Lime Juice were combined in a monumental moment in a bar full of Soldiers and civilians celebrating victory. One Soldier proposed a toast “To Cuban Freedom”. Thus the Cuba Libre was born.

 

Russian Proverb

Drinkers Hall of Fame: Andre the Giant

Drinker’s Hall of Fame

Andre the Giant

As one of the most well-known professional wrestlers of all time, Andre the Giant had a reputation for drinking as big as his liver.

Billed from France, Andre Rene Roussimoff would eventually grow to Seven feet four inches and 500 pounds. He used his large stature as a commodity and began working the independent pro-wrestling circuit in the 1960s and 1970s before signing with the big leagues. He would sign a contract with Vince McMahon Sr and work for the WWE (at the time WWWF). The height of his wrestling career came in 1987 at Wrestlemania III when he faced off against the immortal, Hulk Hogan. An obvious legend inside the ring, Andre simultaneously gained fame outside of the ring for his drinking ability.

With his immense size, his ability to take in alcohol was nothing short of amazing. He holds the unofficial record for beers in a single sitting at 119. He once got so drunk that he passed out on a hotel couch, but due to his size, the hotel staff was unable to move him and were forced to wait for him to wake up. He was also known to drink before wrestling, at one instance drinking 16 bottles of wine before competing in three matches in one night. Not one to drink in private, Andre would often become a bad influence for his fellow wrestlers, and later on, actors. On the set of the Princess Bride, Andre reportedly ensured the cast remained in a constant cycle of inebriation, unconsciousness, or hangovers.

Sadly, Andre passed in 1993 at the age of 46 due to complications with his large stature, but his legacy lives on.

Citation

For being the greatest drinker of all time, holding the unofficial record for most beers in one sitting at 119, Andre the Giant is hereby inducted into the Drinkers hall of Fame

Works Cited

"Biography." Andre the Giant. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Nov. 2015. <http://www.andrethegiant.com/about/bio.html >

“6 Hard-Partying Andre the Giant Stories” Uproxx. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Nov. 2015

< http://uproxx.com/sports/2014/05/6-hard-partying-andre-the-giant-stories-you-may-have-never-heard/ >

“Andre The Giant – The Baddest Ass Drunk Of All Time” Beermumbo. N.p., n.d. Web 6 Nov. 2015

< http://beermumbo.com/andre-the-giant/ >

Hemingway Quote