Macuá facts for kids
| Cocktail | |
|---|---|
Frozen Macuá made with Flor de Caña extra dry brand.
|
|
| Type | Cocktail |
| Primary alcohol by volume | |
| Served | On the rocks |
| Standard garnish | lemon slice |
| Standard drinkware |
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| Commonly used ingredients | |
| Preparation | Blend the ingredients with 1 cup of ice and serve well chilled. Garnish with an orange slice |
The Macuá is a special drink from Nicaragua. It is made with white rum and fruit juices, usually lemon and guava juice. The Macuá is known as the national drink of Nicaragua. Its name comes from the pajaro macuá, a beautiful tropical bird found in the country.
Contents
History of the Macuá Drink
How the Macuá Was Created
The Macuá was invented by Dr. Edmundo Miranda Saenz. He was a pediatrician, a doctor who cares for children, from Granada. Granada is a historic city located near Lake Nicaragua. Dr. Miranda worked with his family, including his wife, daughter, and son-in-law, to make the perfect recipe for the drink.
Choosing a National Drink
People in Nicaragua wanted a special drink to represent their country. So, a group of tourism and restaurant businesses decided to hold a competition. They invited hotels and restaurants from all over Nicaragua to join in. The goal was to find a unique drink that could become a national symbol.
The 2006 Competition
The Macuá became famous in October 2006. This was when it was entered into a competition to choose Nicaragua's national drink. The competition was sponsored by Flor de Caña, a company that makes rum in Nicaragua. More than twenty different drinks were entered, all using Flor de Caña products.
The judges included the French ambassador and a drink expert from Sweden. They chose the Macuá as the winner. Other drinks in the contest used local ingredients like pineapple, tamarind, and even coffee beans. Some even used extracts from unique plants like the mamoncillo.
Why the Macuá Was Chosen
A Symbol of National Identity
The contest aimed to find a symbol that could inspire national pride. Just like famous places such as Lake Cocibolca and the ancient sites on Isla Zapatera, Ometepe, and Solentiname islands, the drink was meant to be a unique part of Nicaragua's identity.
The "National Drink Contest"
This competition was called "The National Drink Contest" (El Trago Nacional). It was supported by several groups, including Flor de Caña, Hotel Intercontinental, and the National Tourism Institute (INTUR). The involvement of INTUR made the contest feel official, even though private groups organized it.
The contest had two main parts. First, they chose the best recipe. Second, they picked the perfect name for the winning drink.
