This week's Courtyard Cocktail featured Rum and Coca-Cola.  Our residents informed staff that The Andrew Sisters sang a song about our weekly libation.  Click on the link below to enjoy the 1944 rendetion of this song.  We have also included the an interesting story outlining the history of this famous adult beverage.
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3ntMHk_QiM 

The Battleship Maine exploded in Havana harbor in February 1898. In the summer of 1898, Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders took San Juan Hill in Santiago de Cuba and by the end of that year, the Spanish American war was over.

The United States occupied Cuba from 1898 to 1902 and Coca Cola was now for sale in Cuba.

In August 1900, while celebrating the US victory over Spain in Cuba, Captain Russell of the United States Army Signal Corps, ordered Bacardi rum with a Coca Cola and a slice of lime. While holding up this new drink he toasted “Por Cuba libre!” in celebration of a free Cuba. The words Cuba Libre - meaning Free Cuba - had a special political significance, and were frequently used by Cubans and Americans alike. The drink remains popular to this day and for many is a hope for a freedom in Cuba from another oppressive government. (Story courtesy of the Havana Journal)