The Stories Behind Your Favorite Cocktails

Where Your Favorite Cocktails Came From
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A good cocktail offers more than just a tasty combination of liquor and mixers but also a great story.

From the Martini and the Cosmopolitan to the Black Russian, some of the most famous drinks have fascinating histories that involve everything from Cold War politics and celebrities to even presidents.

Read on for the back stories of eight classic concoctions.

The Stories Behind Your Favorite Cocktails
The Bloody Mary(01 of08)
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The Weekly World News traced this brunch favorite all the way back to the 16th-century reign of Queen Mary I, but more realistically it was created in the 1920s by a Parisian bartender who later brought the drink to Manhattan.

For the full story behind the Blood Mary (and a recipe), visit Liquor.com.
The Hemingway Daiquiri(02 of08)
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The Daiquiri was a Cuban mainstay long before legendary writer (and drinker) Ernest Hemingway took up residence in Havana. Sometime in the '30s, he dreamed up this tart variation.

For the full story behind the Hemingway Daiquiri (and a recipe), visit Liquor.com.

(Image from Historic Photos of Ernest Hemingway, courtesy Turner Publishing)
The Manhattan(03 of08)
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One of the first cocktails to incorporate vermouth, the Manhattan, as far as we know, dates back to the mid-1800s. Find out what cocktail expert and Liquor.com advisor Gary Regan has learned about the drink’s creator.

For the full story behind the Manhattan (and a recipe), visit Liquor.com.
The Margarita(04 of08)
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While the Margarita is one of the most popular and enduring cocktails, no one is exactly sure when or by whom it was invented. Award-winning author and Liquor.com advisor David Wondrich shared with us his very plausible theory.

For the full story behind the Margarita (and a recipe), visit Liquor.com.
The Black Russian(05 of08)
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Like something out of a John le Carré novel, this guilty pleasure actually has some serious Cold-War credibility. The original recipe was commissioned by bon vivant diplomat Perle Mesta.

For the full story behind the Black Russian (and a recipe), visit Liquor.com.
The Martini(06 of08)
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There are as many stories about the invention of the Martini as there are recipes for it. Award-winning author and Liquor.com advisor David Wondrich searched for the origins of this classic.

For the full story behind the Martini (and a recipe), visit Liquor.com.
The Tom Collins(07 of08)
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Given its name, one would assume that story behind this drink would be pretty straightforward. But instead it’s as complex and enjoyable as, well, a good Tom Collins.

For the full story behind the Tom Collins (and a recipe), visit Liquor.com.
The Cosmopolitan(08 of08)
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Not that long ago, the Cosmo burst onto the mixological stage and seemed to be on just about every bar menu. But who created it? Three different mixologists around the country take credit for the vodka-citrus-and-cranberry combination.

For the full story behind the Cosmopolitan (and a recipe), visit Liquor.com.

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