Celebrate the beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Month by learning the history behind your all-time favorite Hispanic cocktails, like the classic margarita or the piña colada.
Margarita – Although there are many stories about how this delicious cocktail came to
be, perhaps the most famous origin story involves a restaurant owner named Carlos
Herrera mixing this drink for the famous showgirl Marjorie King. Legend has it that
tequila was the only alcohol King would drink.
Pisco Sour – Known as Peru’s “signature drink,” the Pisco Sour came into existence in the
1900’s when American Victor Vaughen Morris opened a bar called the Morris Bar and
made this cocktail an alternative to the Whiskey Sour.
Piña Colada – This Puerto Rican national cocktail owes its origins to bartender Ramon
‘Monchito’ Merrero Perez. He first made this cocktail at the Caribe Hilton Hotels
Beachcomber Bar in San Juan in 1952 using the then new Coco Lopez cream of coconut.
Clerico – This Uruguayan signature sangria was said to be invented when Britain invaded
the country and celebrated “claret up”. This cocktail can be made with white or red wines
and is usually served with fruit.
Fernet & Cola – This unique Argentinian two ingredient “hang-over cure” owes its
origins to the wave of immigration by Italian immigrants at the end of the 19th century.