<p>In 1586 Sir Francis Drake was heading to Havana, Cuba when a terrible out break of dysentery and scurvy epidemic broke out on his ship.. Knowing that South American natives had remedies for various illnesses, he sent a small party in to shore to bring back an effective medicine. A crude form of rum known as aguardiente de cana, lime juice, sugarcane juice, and mint is what they brought back to the ship. The lime and the rum helped to cure both ailments and the mint and sugar helped with the taste. While this staple cocktail would not be named until the 19th century.</p>