You know, sometimes the origins of an alcoholic drink can be quite interesting. And sometimes the garnish can make all the difference, and have its own story behind it. I'm serious. For example, if you garnish a Martini with an olive stuffed with an Almond, it becomes a Boston Bullet. Did you know that? I've basically been drinking wine, and to a lesser extent beer, all my life. We always had it in the house. Shortly after I turned 21 in 1989, I wanted to try liquor in a highball for the first time. My parents got an LP of old songs at a garage sale. And one of the songs on it was "Rum and Coca-Cola" by the Andrews Sisters. (That song has its own interesting story. It is about interracial romance and prostitution in Trinidad. When people first heard it, they had no problem with the prostitution. But they found its reference to interracial romance offensive.) Anyways, Rum and Cola was my first drink in 1991. Made with Pepsi, I remember. Rum and Cola has an interesting story behind it. When you add a twist of Lime, it becomes a Cuba Libre. That drink is from a traditional toast to freedom, which is said to have originated in Cuba in the 1890's during the Spanish–American War. It means "free Cuba!" Which is what the man is said to have toasted, when he first had this drink. You know, people have been arrested for that, just toasting to freedom. It is said Amnesty International was founded by a British lawyer after he read a about two students in 1960 authoritarian Portugal, who had been imprisoned for just making a toast to freedom while drinking in a local bar. Something to remember when you enjoy these drinks.
