Literature in a Glass: How Ernest Hemingway and Other Authors Shaped Cocktail Culture

Ernest Hemingway, one of the 20th century's most iconic writers, left behind more than just great novels. His adventurous spirit, love for travel, and penchant for fine drinks have influenced the cocktail scene for decades. Whether lounging in Parisian cafés or reveling in Cuban bars, Hemingway’s drinking habits were as legendary as his prose. In this article, we'll explore how Hemingway’s cocktail preferences, particularly the Daiquiri and the Mojito, have shaped the cocktail world. We'll also take a look at how other famous authors helped keep cocktails alive in a time when drinks, like stories, spread without copyright—and ask: Would cocktails be the same without these literary giants?

Hemingway's Lasting Legacy in Cocktail Culture

The Hemingway Daiquiri (Papa Doble)
Hemingway's most famous contribution to the cocktail world is the Hemingway Daiquiri or Papa Doble. While living in Cuba, Hemingway frequented El Floridita in Havana, where this variation on the classic daiquiri was created. He preferred his drinks strong, with little to no sugar, which led to the creation of this dry, sharp cocktail. His influence made this drink a global sensation.

The Mojito at La Bodeguita del Medio
Another drink associated with Hemingway is the Mojito, particularly at La Bodeguita del Medio in Havana. Though there’s some debate about whether he favored it as much as the Daiquiri, this simple cocktail of rum, mint, lime, sugar, and soda has long been tied to Hemingway’s Cuban days. Today, bars around the world lean into this literary connection to elevate the Mojito's appeal, often referencing Hemingway to add a touch of history and flair.

Keeping Cocktails Alive: How Authors Carried Drink Culture Through Time

In an era when cocktail recipes weren’t tied to trademarks or copyrights, writers were instrumental in spreading cocktail culture. These literary giants not only featured cocktails in their works, but they also became living embodiments of the drinking rituals of their time. Because there was no formal ownership of cocktail recipes, authors could freely mention, modify, and popularize drinks in their writing and lives, helping to immortalize certain cocktails long before modern-day marketing took hold.

Hemingway’s Global Reach
Hemingway’s larger-than-life persona took him from Paris to Spain, from Key West to Havana, where he encountered and popularized local drinks. His love for the Daiquiri and Mojito spread far and wide because Hemingway lived publicly and wrote openly about the places and people he loved. Readers in the early 20th century followed Hemingway’s travels with fascination, and bars that were frequented by Hemingway quickly became destinations for cocktail lovers. Without the formal restrictions of copyright, bars around the world were free to replicate these drinks, ensuring their survival across generations.

F. Scott Fitzgerald and the Roaring Twenties
In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald captured the essence of the Prohibition era, a time when the U.S. banned alcohol but saw a booming underground cocktail culture. The glamour and excess of his characters are inseparable from the Gin Rickey and other cocktails they imbibe. Fitzgerald, like many authors of his time, helped create a fascination with cocktails despite their illicit nature. His work didn’t just keep these drinks alive—it made them alluring symbols of rebellion and sophistication.

Dorothy Parker and the New York Scene
Dorothy Parker's wit and presence in the Algonquin Round Table made her an ambassador for cocktails like the Martini. Her literary contributions, combined with her legendary social gatherings, ensured that cocktails were not just beverages—they were cultural experiences. Writers like Parker and her contemporaries became tastemakers, often introducing readers to new drinks through their characters or personal anecdotes.

Would Cocktails Be the Same Without These Authors?

It’s hard to imagine the world of cocktails without the contributions of these literary giants. While bartenders and mixologists certainly play a pivotal role in crafting and refining drinks, it was often the writers who helped cement certain cocktails in the public imagination. Without Hemingway's frequent mentions of the Daiquiri, or Fitzgerald's glamorous portrayal of gin cocktails, some of these drinks might have faded into obscurity.

What made authors particularly important in spreading cocktail culture was their ability to turn a simple drink into something larger—a symbol of place, time, and character. By weaving cocktails into their stories and personal lives, they made these drinks more than just recipes; they became narratives. This sense of storytelling has kept these cocktails alive and evolving, long after the authors themselves passed on.

Other Authors and Their Signature Cocktails

F. Scott Fitzgerald – Gin Rickey
F. Scott Fitzgerald, author of The Great Gatsby, was famously fond of gin, reportedly believing that it was the one spirit that didn’t leave a smell on his breath. His favorite cocktail was the Gin Rickey, a refreshing blend of gin, lime juice, and soda water. Much like Gatsby’s glamorous parties, the Gin Rickey is light, fizzy, and perfect for warm summer evenings. Fitzgerald’s indulgence in cocktails both in life and in his writing helped cement the drink’s association with the Roaring Twenties and Jazz Age decadence.

Dorothy Parker – Martini
Dorothy Parker, known for her wit and involvement with the Algonquin Round Table, was a lover of the Martini. Her famous quote, “I like to have a Martini, two at the very most. After three, I'm under the table; after four, I'm under my host,” is a humorous nod to her appreciation for the classic cocktail. The Martini’s dry elegance perfectly complements Parker’s sharp, dry humor, making it an apt drink for a woman who left her mark on both literature and New York social circles.

Ian Fleming – Vesper Martini
James Bond creator Ian Fleming is best known for popularizing the Vesper Martini, named after the character Vesper Lynd in Casino Royale. This cocktail, made with gin, vodka, and Lillet Blanc, was Bond’s preferred drink in Fleming’s novels, and it became a pop culture phenomenon. Fleming’s detailed descriptions of Bond's cocktail habits helped elevate the Vesper to iconic status, making it a lasting symbol of sophistication and danger.

Truman Capote – Screwdriver
Known for his eccentric lifestyle and flair, Truman Capote was a fan of the Screwdriver, a simple mix of vodka and orange juice. Capote's love for this drink was reflective of his complex personality—both sweet and sharp. He often indulged in this cocktail at glamorous New York City gatherings, further cementing its place as a fashionable, yet straightforward, drink in the mid-20th century.

Conclusion: Literary Inspiration in a Glass

Authors like Hemingway, Fitzgerald, and Parker didn’t just change the way we think about literature; they also shaped our drinking culture. Hemingway’s rugged persona and love for powerful, no-nonsense drinks have made cocktails like the Daiquiri and Mojito mainstays of the modern bar. Other literary giants left their own marks, turning simple spirits into iconic drinks forever tied to their legacies.

Next time you sip on a Hemingway Daiquiri or a Gin Rickey, you’re not just enjoying a cocktail; you’re connecting with a rich history of literary legends