Five places that inspired famous cocktails (+recipes)

A barman prepares mojitos at Havana's La Bodeguita Del Medio. Photo / Megan Singleton

Every cocktail tells a story, Megan Singleton tells us.

You know what they say about being in Rome ... Well it's only right that when one finds oneself in a country, or even the very bar, where a famous cocktail was invented, that one should drink to history. Here are five places made famous by their libations.

1. Cuba

The bars open at 10am in Havana and mojitos are poured until they close. Head to La Bodeguita Del Medio and get ready to shake your booty to the salsa beats while you sip in the bar that boasted Ernest Hemingway as a daily customer.

2. Peru

This deliciously moreish drink is made of three parts pisco (brandy wine) to one part sugar syrup, one part lime juice, whisked egg white and a sprinkling of bitters. Chile also vies for first rights.

3. Mexico

The margarita has been pimped in many a bar here and around the world. But for the real taste of Mexico, take Tequila (made from the blue agave plant grown in Tequila and thus the only region where the spirit can be called that) mix with Cointreau and limes and salt the rim.

4. Puerto Rico

I haven't been to Puerto Rico, but when I do it'll be pina coladas for breakfast, lunch and dinner! I did have one in Mexico once and as there were two of us, the bar tender asked my sister and me if we'd like pinas colada. Say that out loud.

Never have we called the drink anything else since.

5. England

I first tasted the Pimms Cup while dressed to the nines in the rain, teetering over muddy grass to said Pimms tent at the Henley Rowing Regatta. Women wore gumboots under their designer outfits. I don't remember the rowing but I do remember the Pimms laced with chopped strawberries and mint leaves, topped with ginger ale.

Bite's best cocktail recipes

• Cucumber punch
• Chilled mojitos
• Garden party bubbles
• Spring fling

Click here for Megan's review of Raffles' Singapore Sling, complete with with recipe.