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Edinburgh Reporter
16 hours ago
- General
- Edinburgh Reporter
From Havana to Edinburgh: The Classic Daiquiri's Journey Through Time
The Daiquiri cocktail is a legendary drink that has come to be a favourite for many. But unlike other famous cocktails, there is less speculation and gossip about the Daiquiri's origins. This is probably because its genesis tale barely had time to slip through the cracks as it moved from a drunken late-night improvisation to a Beltway favourite in what seemed like fifteen minutes (actually closer to a decade, but hey, who's counting). Similar cocktail recipes have popped up in different eras and locations, making it difficult to pinpoint exactly when a drink was first made. In the case of the Daiquiri, however, a very evident sequence of events links its creation to its meteoric rise in popularity. And while its origins may be clear, they remain no less captivating. Photo by Aram Diseño: The Daiquiri's Wartime Origins The Daiquiri can be traced back to April 21, 1898, when the United States blockaded Cuba as part of its intervention in the Cuban War of Independence. Yes, indeed. It all began with a war. Theodore Roosevelt, who was the assistant secretary of the navy at the time, and his Rough Riders touched down on Daiquiri beach in southeast Cuba. After their successful campaign against the Spanish, the U.S. gained significant influence over Cuban affairs through the Platt Amendment, prompting a wave of American businesses to flood the region in pursuit of the economic opportunities left in Spain's wake. The quick influx of American capital into Cuban agricultural and mining projects attracted a large number of professionals, including engineers, farmers, and others. It was during this time that Jennings S. Cox, working as a mining engineer, stumbled into the drink's history by accident. Cox had people over for an excellent party at his house close to Daiquiri, but he ran out of gin. Heading to the nearby market, he sought for more, but unfortunately, he could only find rum. Cox, seemingly worried about his American visitors' sensitive palates, decided to mix the rum with sugar, lemon juice, and other ingredients to produce a punch. As a result, the first Daiquiri was born. Rum, however, has been watered down with sugar and citrus juice ever since its arrival in the Caribbean. This was mostly done to make it more drinkable, since it was essentially the 'bathroom booze' of its day. Not being a native, Cox was likely unaware of this idea; he simply added sugar and ice to a well-known local drink, gave it a new name, and inadvertently secured his place in the cocktail's history. From Cuba to America Rear Admiral Lucius W. Johnson, a medical officer in the United States Navy, met the Daiquiri in Cuba in 1909. He became so smitten with the beverage that upon his return to the US, he served it to his friends at the Army and Navy Club in Washington, D.C., where it became a hit. The Daiquiri didn't make its literary debut in America until 1920, in F. Scott Fitzgerald's This Side of Paradise, a delay largely due to the slower spread of word-of-mouth at the time. During his time in Havana, Ernest Hemingway became a fan of the drink, eventually inspiring his own version: the Hemingway Daiquiri, made with grapefruit juice, maraschino liqueur, and no sugar, since he suffered from diabetes. When the Kennedys started sailing about half a century later, it became their favourite beverage. The Daiquiri in Modern Times The Daiquiri's adaptability and refreshing flavour have kept it popular throughout the years. It can be found on cocktail lists all throughout the world, from exclusive nightclubs to laid-back beach bars. Many contemporary bartenders are reworking the traditional Daiquiri recipe, adding their own spin while paying honour to its roots. With artisanal rums and freshly squeezed juices, they are taking the cocktail to the next level, making it a beloved among cocktail enthusiasts. The Original Daiquiri Evolves There have been several versions of the Daiquiri, as is the case with most cocktails. A bartender at El Floridita in Old Havana, Constantino Ribailagua, came up with three variants of the recipe after it made its way from Daiquiri to Havana. To keep things organised, he numbered them, reserving #1 for the classic original. Daiquiri #2 The #2, which Constantino created in 1915 at El Floridita, consists of Bacardi Carta Blanca, Triple Sec Liqueur, lime juice, orange juice, syrup, and lime juice. The mild orange flavour adds a touch of summer and gives it a new twist. Daiquiri #3 With a little less sourness and alcohol intensity, Daiquiri #3 evokes thoughts of The Hemingway Daiquiri, also known as Papa Doble. It contains Bacardi Gold, lime juice, simple syrup, grapefruit juice, and maraschino liqueur in moderate amounts. Since this cocktail was probably around when Hemingway came to Cuba, Constantino most likely found it a good starting point when creating a version tailored to the writer's tastes. Daiquiri #4 This version is comparable to #3 but without the grapefruit's sourness. For those who like a milder combination of sweet and sour tastes, this straightforward recipe is ideal. It combines Bacardi Gold, maraschino liqueur, lime juice, chilled water, and simple syrup. Traditional Daiquiri Recipe Ingredients 2 oz (60ml) White Rum 3/4 oz (20ml) simple syrup 1 oz (30ml) freshly squeezed lime juice Lime wheel Preparation and Serving Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice and add all the ingredients. Give it a quick shake for 20 to 30 seconds. Pour the concoction into a cocktail glass after straining. Toss in a lime wheel or twist for garnish, if you want. Why Shake? The recipe calls for the drink to be shaken, and for good reason. Shaking chills the cocktail while allowing the ice to slightly dilute it, adding volume and enhancing the overall flavour. More importantly, citrus juices like lime don't easily blend when simply stirred, so shaking ensures a smoother, well-integrated drink. Conclusion The Daiquiri's meteoric rise to fame from its humble beginnings in a Cuban village is proof of its timeless allure. Whether you like it straight up or with a contemporary touch, this drink has an air of understated elegance. Therefore, when drinking a Daiquiri, pause and think about the many cultures that go into making it. Like this: Like Related
Newsweek
12-06-2025
- General
- Newsweek
US Aircraft Carrier Holds 'Warfighting' Drills on China's Doorstep
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A United States nuclear-powered aircraft carrier was conducting operations in the contested South China Sea, the Navy said, to showcase its ability to maintain warfighting advantages. Newsweek has contacted the Chinese defense and foreign ministries for comment by email. Why It Matters A naval strike group led by USS Nimitz—the oldest U.S. aircraft carrier in active service—has been operating in the South China Sea, where sovereignty claims by several countries overlap, since late May as part of its regularly scheduled deployment to the western Pacific. Meanwhile, China has deployed both of its two operational aircraft carriers to waters beyond the First Island Chain—an island defense line formed by Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines as part of a U.S. maritime containment strategy intended to restrict China's naval activities. What To Know The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group conducted "maritime security operations"—including flight operations, maritime strike exercises, and tactical training between surface and air units—in the South China Sea on Wednesday, according to the aircraft carrier's public affairs officer. A United States Navy F/A-18E fighter jet launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz in the South China Sea on June 5, 2025. A United States Navy F/A-18E fighter jet launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz in the South China Sea on June 5, 2025. Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Franklyn Guage/U.S. Navy "Carrier operations in the South China Sea are part of the U.S. Navy's routine presence in the Indo-Pacific," the press release stated. U.S. warships frequently operate in the South China Sea to maintain freedom of navigation, challenging excessive maritime claims by regional countries. Rear Admiral Fred Goldhammer, commander of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, said the deployment aims to build proficiency and conduct flight operations supporting the "full spectrum of operations," adding that the unit operates "wherever international law allows." The Nimitz's deployment in the South China Sea follows a warning from U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth about China's threats in the Indo-Pacific region. He said the East Asian power seeks nothing less than hegemony and is increasingly willing to resort to force. In response to Hegseth's remarks on the South China Sea, the Chinese Foreign Ministry accused the U.S. of being the "primary factor" undermining peace and stability, while claiming that there has never been any problem with freedom of navigation and overflight. A United States Navy F/A-18E fighter jet launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz in the South China Sea on June 6, 2025. A United States Navy F/A-18E fighter jet launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz in the South China Sea on June 6, 2025. Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Matthew C. Wolf/U.S. Navy What People Are Saying Rear Admiral Fred Goldhammer, commander of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, said in a press release on Wednesday: "We are doing more than ever to strengthen peace, stability, and deterrence across the Indo-Pacific." The public affairs officer of USS Nimitz said in a press release on Wednesday: "The operations include both day and night flight evolutions. These activities support maritime security, enhance interoperability with regional partners, and maintain the U.S. Navy's ability to project power across the theater." An unnamed spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on June 1: "China has always been committed to working with countries concerned to properly handle differences through dialogue and consultation, while safeguarding China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in accordance with laws and regulations." What Happens Next It remains to be seen whether the Nimitz will head toward the broader western Pacific after concluding its operations in the South China Sea to counter the two Chinese aircraft carriers.
Sky News AU
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
US Congress and Senate ‘emphatically' support AUKUS
Former Australian ambassador to the US Joe Hockey discusses the US officials who 'emphatically' support AUKUS, including Donald Trump, Pete Hegseth, and the Secretary of the US Navy. 'There's no doubt the Secretary of the United States Navy, Secretary Phelan, is very supportive of AUKUS,' Mr Hockey told Sky News Australia. 'I believe Secretary Hegseth, Department of Defence Secretary, is the same – I know Donald Trump supports AUKUS, and there is no doubt Congress and the Senate … they emphatically support AUKUS.'
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
How a WWII submariner took the fight directly to the Japanese
By the middle of 1944, United States Navy submarines had weathered hard times of unreliable torpedoes and a necessary learning process to matured weapons of war, aided by onboard radar. At the same time, their Japanese opponents had yet to fully address the threat that these underwater marauders posed to the ships that brought oil and other foreign resources from their far-flung empire. So fully developed were the American subs that Adm. Chester W. Nimitz, commander in chief of naval forces, Pacific (CINCPAC), had started the year off by adding destroyers to his priority lists, so as to accelerate the elimination of America's principal enemies. Like their German counterparts, the Americans were also operating in wolf packs of two or more, while the Japanese were modifying and arming numerous varieties of other ships, such as minesweepers, to make up their sub-hunter losses. A dramatic example of the situation in 1944 began in mid-June, when three boats from Submarine Attack Group 9, named 'Parks' Pirates' for their commander, Cmdr. Lewis Smith Parks, departed Pearl Harbor to prowl the waters from Formosa to Luzon. They were led by Cmdr. Lawson P. 'Red' Ramage on Parche, followed by Steelhead and Hammerhead. The Massachusetts native graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy as an ensign in July 1931, with his first attempt to get a submarine assignment initially blocked due to an eye injury. His second attempt, in which he memorized the eye chart, succeeded in getting him aboard S-29 in January 1936. He was a radio and sound officer at Pearl Harbor in March 1941, and he was there when Japanese carrier planes raided it on Dec. 7. On June 6, 1944, Parks' Pirates embarked on their first patrol, with modest initial results for Hammerhead: a sampan destroyed on June 9, followed by a coastal oil carrier damaged. On July 29, Hammerhead had to curtail its sweep when it came under air attack, returning for repairs at Fremantle, Australia, on Aug. 17. At 10:30 a.m. on July 30, Steelhead was off Formosa when it sighted smoke, which, upon investigation, revealed an enemy convoy escorted by aircraft. Unable to attack until nightfall, Steelhead maintained contact until 8:15 p.m., when it shot off a message summoning Parche, relaying the enemy's course and speed. Ramage responded at full speed, joining Steelhead at midnight to make surface attacks. The latter commenced hostilities at 3:32 a.m. with a bow spread of six torpedoes that struck a freighter, then a tanker. Steelhead then turned to launch four stern 'fish,' while two flares signaled the Japanese alarm. Ramage had been trying to set up a flank attack at about 3 a.m. when he encountered an escort vessel. Enemy flares revealed three such escorts darting about, two of which were between Parche and the convoy, and one bearing down on the sub. Ramage put his boat into a circular maneuver that brought it astern of the escort, confusing the enemy. 'Parche was now between the escorts and the convoy,' Ramage reported afterward, 'but while this maneuver was going on, the entire [enemy] convoy had reversed its field and now was headed directly at Parche.' Ramage aimed for an oncoming medium freighter, but he overestimated the range and suddenly found himself a mere 450 yards from his intended target. A hard right turn avoided disaster by only 200 yards. Ramage then shot off two torpedoes. His freighter target dodged them, but in so doing it blocked the advance of an escort, preventing it from attacking the sub while allowing it to get off two bow shots, one of which hit the freighter. Five minutes later, Ramage brought Parche into position to attack two tankers. All four of his bow torpedoes struck home on the first tanker, which sank immediately. The second tanker, hit twice, slowed but kept on moving. At this point, Parche was in the middle of a milling mass of cargo ships and escorts, all ships involved behaving more like patrol torpedo boats in their half-blind attempts to ram their assailant. As for Ramage, placing his boat in the center of it all, he too alternated his direction and launched torpedoes as the opportunity offered, while his torpedo crew rushed new ones into place. At 4:43 a.m., Ramage was preparing to dodge two escorts when he saw a small merchantman bearing down on him from the starboard bow, determined to ram. Ordering full right rudder, he avoided collision by just 50 feet, only to find two escorts at either hand and a passenger cargo vessel coming on to ram. Unable to dodge this one, Ramage went for broke and fired three torpedoes in a down-the-throat shot. His first fish missed, but the other two hit, stopping the ship in its tracks. Ramage turned hard left, then fired a stern shot that struck the cargo ship amidships. At 4:42 a.m., it sank. After a look around, Ramage reported: 'There were still several small craft and escorts around, but no worthwhile targets that we could see. I decided to put some distance between us and this hornet's nest.' While Parche was fighting its way into a fiery hell and back, Whelchel and Steelhead were also busy on the sidelines — sending four torpedoes at a troop carrier at 4:49 a.m. and another four at a freighter. Both subs subsequently disengaged, having suffered neither damage nor casualties in the 46-minute melee. A postwar assessment credited Steelhead with the 7,169-ton freighter Dakar Maru and the 8,195-ton transport Fuso Maru. Both subs were jointly credited with the 8,990-ton transport Yoshino Maru. Parche emerged from its solo torpedo duel with credit for the 10,238-ton tanker Koei Maru and 4,471-ton passenger-cargo ship Manko Maru. Both submarine officers were decorated for their outstanding performance that night. Steelhead's commander, David Whelchel, was awarded the Silver Star, while Ramage received the Medal of Honor from President Franklin D. Roosevelt on Jan. 10, 1945 — not so much for the tonnage his sub had destroyed, considerable though it had been, as for the wild way he had achieved it. Asked what drove him throughout the encounter, he simply said, 'I got mad.' Ramage continued to rise up the Navy ranks, reaching the command of Military Sea Transport in Washington and retiring in 1969 as a vice admiral. He died in Bethesda, Maryland, on April 15, 1990, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Newsweek
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Satellite Photo Shows US Aircraft Carrier in Pacific Rivalry With China
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The United States aircraft carrier USS Nimitz continues to operate in the South China Sea, satellite imagery shows, as the Chinese navy expands its presence in the Pacific Ocean. The Seventh Fleet—the largest of the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed fleets, with more than 50 vessels and 150 aircraft—delivers "combat-credible forces" in the western Pacific and Indian Oceans alongside the U.S.'s allies and partners, the Fleet said in a statement to Newsweek. Newsweek has also contacted the Chinese Defense Ministry for comment by email. Why It Matters The Nimitz began its "regularly scheduled deployment" to the western Pacific Ocean in late March—likely its final overseas mission before decommissioning. After a brief transit in the Strait of Malacca, the nuclear-powered warship returned to the South China Sea in late May. United States Navy sailors checking the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz in the South China Sea on June 2. United States Navy sailors checking the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz in the South China Sea on June 2. Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Franklyn Guage/U.S. Navy The U.S. aircraft carrier deployment in the South China Sea, where China's territorial claims overlap those of other regional countries, comes as the Chinese navy—the world's largest by hull count—has two aircraft carriers operating simultaneously in the broader western Pacific. What To Know According to satellite imagery captured on Sunday and shared by open-source intelligence researcher @MT_Anderson on X, formerly Twitter, the Nimitz was spotted operating in the West Philippine Sea, about 167 miles northeast of the disputed Scarborough Shoal. 🇺🇸Carrier Strike Group 11🇺🇸 CVN-68 is back in the West Philippine Sea, operating ~270km NE of 🇵🇭Scarborough Shoal (8 June 2025) Along with her are likely 2x Arleigh Burkes and potentially 1x 🇦🇺Hobart Class (?) Length is in the correct range and it doesn't look like a PLAN… — MT Anderson (@MT_Anderson) June 9, 2025 The maritime feature, under China's control since 2012, lies about 138 miles west of Luzon Island in the northern Philippines. Manila uses the term "West Philippine Sea" to refer to the portion of the South China Sea that falls within its 230-mile-wide exclusive economic zone. The most recently released official photos, taken on June 2, show the Nimitz underway in the South China Sea. The aircraft carrier's deployment demonstrates the U.S. Navy's unwavering commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, according to a photo caption. Meanwhile, the second American aircraft carrier deployed in the western Pacific Ocean, USS George Washington, was spotted departing its home port at Yokosuka naval base near Tokyo, Japan's capital, on Tuesday, according to photos taken by a local ship spotter. The George Washington returned to Yokosuka on June 4 following "routine operations" in nearby waters. The aircraft carrier and its naval aviators are preparing for their first patrol since returning to Japan—a U.S. ally—for a forward deployment almost eight months ago. What People Are Saying The U.S. Seventh Fleet said in a statement to Newsweek: "Every day the U.S. Pacific Fleet operates to protect the security, freedom, and prosperity for the United States and our allies and partners, reflecting our commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region." The Seventh Fleet is one of two fleets—along with the Third Fleet—that report to the Pacific Fleet, whose command area extends from the Pacific Ocean to the Indian Ocean. U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Maximilian Clark, the commander of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, said in April: "Operating forward as a strike group hones our ability to maintain persistent and capable forces at sea, always ready to provide our leaders with a broad spectrum of military capabilities to respond to any crisis or contingency." What Happens Next It remains to be seen whether the Nimitz will depart the South China Sea for the Philippine Sea—located east of the Philippines—to conduct operations with the George Washington.
