Some call it a CUBA LIBRE, others simply a “rum and coke,” for tonight it’s NACHO DRINK! The “Cuba Libre” originated in the mid-1800’s when Cuban freedom fighters adopted the “Free Cuba”  (or “Cuba Libre” in Spanish) cause (and tagline) during their struggle for independence from Spain. In these communities, after a hard day of fighting and strife, these rebels would unwind and bond over a highball with rum, Coke, and a twist of lime. So from then on was seen a drink of to dog whistle you were apart of the REBELLION. In the 1920’s +30’s the drink was popularized again in the clubs of Havanna, making it way up to Floridian clubs and then permeating the American culture.

This is Patrick’s go to — at home or when we (used to be able) to go out to bars — the “Vodka Ginger.” Which is just what it says, “Vodka and Ginger [Ale]” — you could get fancy and make it a MOSCOW MULE, by making it with Ginger BEER (it’s non-alcoholic, it’s just stronger ginger ale — think Root BEER). This is another “vintage'“ drink but this one coming from just after Prohibition. Bar rumors says the Vodka Gingers / Moscow Mules only became a thing because a bartender at the “Cock and Bull” Bar accidentally ordered too much ginger ale one week…and pushed the “specialty” drink to clean out his basement…giving it a gimmick by serving it in the iconic copper cup.

So Nacho tends to stick to rum drinks…while Patrick likes the ginger ale/beer. So as a metaphor to our union we offer you, a Dark n’ Stormy. A drink composed of dark rum with ginger beer, garnished with a lime.

Legend says sometime after World War 1, a Ginger Beer factory, ran by Sailors of the Royal Naval Officer’s Club., discovered that a hefty splash of the local Gosling’s Black Seal rum was a great addition to their Ginger Beer. Ok cute. But why “Dark ‘n Stormy”? Well, legend also says a sailor who, while enjoying the cocktail, commented that it was the color of a cloud only a fool or a dead man would sail under. #spoopy