From The Mojito To The Picante, Cocktails You Might Have Been Pronouncing Wrong!
From the mojito to the picante cocktail, there are several well-known blends whose names are just a tad bit tricky to pronounce. These popular cocktails carry very fascinating origin stories and are often the favoured drinks on any mixologist’s roster for their precise flavour balance. But some of these famous cocktails are spelled in culturally and linguistically specific ways that might make them seem different to read than to pronounce.
It might so happen that many times you order a drink with confidence at your favourite bar in town only to find out that you have been saying it wrong the whole time, embarrassingly so, when the bartender repeats it back to you—in the right way! Stay a step ahead of this situation by finding out the right pronunciations of some of your most favourite cocktail blends.
From Spanish roots to French flair, here’s more about some of the cocktails you might have been pronouncing wrong for the longest time!
Mojito
Common Mistake: ‘moo-JEE-toh’
Correct Pronunciation: mo-HEE-toh
With origins in Cuba, the minty, lemony mojito cocktail has become widely popular across the globe today. The roots of this cocktail can be traced back to the 16th century when mint, lime, white rum, sugar and soda were all brought together as ingredients to prepare a slow-sipping drink on summer evenings.
Negroni
Common Mistake: ‘neh-GRAW-nee’
Correct Pronunciation: neh-GROH-nee
Deeply rooted in Italian spirit cultures, the Negroni is an equal parts cocktail generally prepared for slow-sipping. Initially a spin on the Americano cocktail, where soda was swapped for gin, he resulting drink has now become an iconic bittersweet Italian blend, known for its deep hue and flavour.
Caipirinha
Common Mistake: ‘kai-peer-in-ya’
Correct Pronunciation: kai-pee-REEN-yah
Well-known as the famed national cocktail of Brazilian regions, the caipirinha has a history rooted in the indigenous spirit culture from where it originates. In fact, the cocktail is traditionally concocted using cachaça or a fermented sugarcane spirit that is brought together with lime and sugar in a rustic and fresh flavour blend.
Picante de la Casa
Common Mistake: ‘pih-kan-tay day la casa’
Correct Pronunciation: pee-KAHN-tay deh lah CAH-sah
A well-known modern Mexican classic, the picante de la casa was first made popular at a high-end restaurant in London before it became a global phenomenon. Created using tequila, lime, agave and fresh chillies, it is a flavourful mix, featuring a vibrant blend of Latin American and London cultures.
Margarita
Common Mistake: ‘mar-juh-ree-tah’
Correct Pronunciation: mar-ga-REE-tah
One of the favoured and most popular cocktail options at a house party, it is hard to believe how tricky the margarita actually is to pronounce. A Spanish name which means ‘daisy,’ the cocktail is a zesty mix of tequila, lime and triple sec. It is said to have been first concocted sometime in the 1930s in Mexico and now remains an enduring global favourite.
Paloma
Common Mistake: ‘pa-LOW-mah’
Correct Pronunciation: pah-LOH-mah
Deceptively simple to pronounce yet quite tricky when trying to say it right, the paloma is quite the flavourful grapefruit-and-tequila highball, popular across Mexican regions. The word means dove in Spanish and the cocktail itself is a citrusy, lightly peppery, acidic and fizzy mixture, known for its rather lively flavours.
Kir Royale
Common Mistake: ‘kur royal’
Correct Pronunciation: keer rwa-YAHL
A bonafide French classic, the history of the kir royale can actually be traced back to the decades of the 1930s and 1940s. The drink is a chic French aperitif made using crème de cassis or blackcurrant liqueur and champagne. It gets its name from a certain Frenchman who popularised this combination in the mid-20th century.
Sangria
Common Mistake: ‘sang-GRAH’
Correct Pronunciation: san-GREE-ah
With origins in Spanish regions, the red wine sangria is known for its rather deep red and maroonish hues. It is a wine punch infused with spices and fruits. What was once a rustic farmhouse or barn-style cocktail has now become a stylish global drink, recognised for its chic and elegant presentation.
Key Takeaways:
– Be it the mojito or the picante cocktail, several popular mixes within the mixology realm are those whose names are a tad tricky to say out loud.
– Many of these drinks are spelled to suit cultural and linguistic nuances that might make them a bit complicated to pronounce.
– Whether they carry Spanish origins or a French sophistication, glance at the right pronunciations of these cocktails, to find out if you have been saying them wrong!
FAQs:
What is the right way to pronounce the mojito and the picante?
The right way to pronounce the mojito is ‘moo-JEE-toh’; and the picante de la casa cocktail is pronounced as ‘pih-kan-tay day la casa’. While the former is a Cuban favourite, the latter has Mexican origins although it was popularised in London.
What about the Negroni? How is it pronounced and what is its cultural significance?
Negroni is pronounced as ‘neh-GROH-nee’ and is deeply rooted in Italian spirit cultures. It was initially a spin on the Americano cocktail, where soda was swapped with gin.
How is Paloma pronounced? Why has this tequila-based cocktail become so popular?
The paloma is pronounced as ‘pah-LOH-mah.’ It is a flavourful grapefruit-and-tequila highball carrying a citrusy, lightly peppery, sour and bubbly touch and known for its rather vivacious flavour profile.
All cocktails listed use 30 ml liquor measurements for single serves. Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
