The Story of the Mary Pickford Cocktail

The Mary Pickford cocktail named after the iconic Canadian-American actress Mary Pickford. Mary Pickford, born Gladys Louise Smith in 1892, was a pioneering figure in early Hollywood. Known as “America’s Sweetheart,” she was one of the most popular actresses of the silent film era. Beyond her acting prowess, Pickford was a co-founder of the film studio United Artists and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, making significant contributions to the film industry.

The cocktail named in her honor is said to have been created during a trip to Havana, Cuba, in the 1920s. Mary Pickford visited Havana with fellow Hollywood legends Charlie Chaplin and Douglas Fairbanks, who was also her husband. This cocktail is believed to have been created in the 1920s, but its exact inventor is a subject of some debate. The most commonly accepted story is that it was crafted by either Eddie Woelke or Fred Kaufmann at the Hotel Nacional de Cuba in Havana. Both bartenders were prominent figures in the cocktail scene during that era.

The Mary Pickford cocktail is a testament to the glamour and decadence of the Prohibition Era. During this time, many Americans traveled to Cuba to enjoy the freedom to drink, as Prohibition laws in the United States made alcohol consumption illegal. The cocktail’s tropical ingredients reflect the exotic allure of Havana, a popular destination for those seeking to escape the restrictions of Prohibition.

The drink’s composition is simple yet elegant. The white rum provides a robust base, while the pineapple juice adds a refreshing sweetness. Grenadine, a syrup made from pomegranate, gives the cocktail its distinctive pink hue and maraschino liqueur adds a hint of cherry flavor.

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