10 Things You Didn’t Know About Cocktail History
Cocktails aren’t just tasty—they’ve got wild backstories. From running out of gin to swimming to a bar or trying to impress royalty, these drinks prove that sometimes the best recipes come from pure mischief.
Here are 10 fun cocktail facts to sip on.
1. The Hanky Panky Was Invented by a Woman
The cocktail was created by Ada “Coley” Coleman, the first (and only) female head bartender at The Savoy Hotel’s American Bar in London from 1903. She invented the Hanky Panky for actor Charles Hawtrey (he asked for something “with punch” after a long day). Coleman experimented until she came up with something he called “the real hanky-panky.”
2. The Daiquiri Was Born Out of Necessity
Unlike many cocktails, the Daiquiri’s origin is documented. An American engineer named Jennings Cox created a rum + lime + sugar drink in 1896 in Cuba when he ran out of gin while entertaining his guests and used local rum instead.
3. Dark ‘n’ Stormy Is Trademarked
You can’t legally call it a Dark ‘n’ Stormy unless it’s made with Goslings Black Seal Rum.
4. The Bellini Was Inspired by Art
Invented by Giuseppe Cipriani at Harry’s Bar in Venice, it was named Bellini because its pink-ish hue reminded him of a painting by the 15th-century Venetian artist Giovanni Bellini.
5. The Painkiller Came from a Swim-Up Bar
The Painkiller was invented in 1970 at the Soggy Dollar Bar in Jost Van Dyke (British Virgin Islands). Part of the lore is that people had to swim out to the bar, so everything (including money) was wet—thus the “Soggy Dollar.”
6. The Manhattan’s Origins Are Still a Mystery
Multiple stories dispute who invented The Manhattan. One popular (but historically inconsistent) legend claims it was for a party hosted by Lady Randolph Churchill (Winston Churchill’s mom) in celebration of a political victory. Problem: she was in England at the time.
7. Cuba Libre: Freedom in a Glass
Cuba Libre means “Free Cuba”, and the drink is tied to Cuban independence after the Spanish-American War (1898).
8. The Mojito May Have Been Medicine
One story says the Mojito was consumed during cholera epidemics in Havana; people drank versions of it regularly in an attempt at health/prevention.
9. The Mai Tai Isn’t What You Think
One of the biggest myths busted: there is no orange juice, pineapple juice, or grenadine in a real Mai Tai—those came from later touristy twists.
10. The Brandy Alexander May Have Royal Ties
The Brandy Alexander’s origin has several stories: one says Russian Tsar Alexander II; another says it was made for a British royal wedding in 1922. But most agree the New York bartender version (or something close) is where the current form comes from.
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