The popularity of the Mojito began with Ernest Hemingway during his time in Cuba. The cocktail increased in popularity when it was featured in a James Bond Film and later in a Johnny Depp film.
But the history of the Mojito is a bit harder to trace. We have to rely on the spoken word when it comes to Mojitos and there are a few different stories.
It is said that the original Mojito was a medicinal drink to curb disease on the island of Cuba. A moon shine rum-type alcohol was mixed with mint, lime, and sugar cane syrup to ward off illness.
When pirates invaded Cuba the drink was introduced to Pirate Drake where he promptly used rum in place of the Cuban moonshine. The drink took on the name El Draque, until it became the Mojito. Mojo is an African word for magic, which we all know can happen once you have had a few Mojitos. No matter what the true history is, this drink is making current day history all over the world. It was the most popular global cocktail in 2013 and just continues to rise in popularity.