Ernest Hemingway was just one of the writers who became a regular at La Bodeguita del Medio in Havana, Cuba. His handwritten message is framed on the wall still today, which reads, "My mojito in La Bodeguita, My daiquiri in El Floridita."

A visit to the restaurant is a complete experience as the rooms are full of curious objects and the walls are covered by photos and signatures of celebrities and everyday diners.

Angel Martinez bought the place in 1942 and named it Casa Martinez. He sold general Cuban products and would occasionally serve dinner to the regulars, who would meet there to enjoy the hot new cocktail of the time, the mojito. Soon, writers, musicians, and other creative minds made Casa Martinez their stomping grounds. One man, an editor named Felito Ayon, would say "la bodeguita del medio" (the little bar in the middle) when describing the location so Angel changed the name in 1950.

By the end of the decade, the restaurant began serving food to everyone. Today there are locations all over the world including Mexico, the United States, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Macedonia, Slovakia, Colombia, Venezuela, Germany, United Kingdom, Argentina, Australia, Lebanon, and Spain.

Make your own authentic Cuban mojito with this recipe from TasteofCuba.com!

• 1 teaspoon powdered sugar 
• Juice from 1 lime (2 ounces) 
• 4 mint leaves 
• 1 sprig of mint 
• Havana Club white Rum (2 ounces) 
• 2 ounces club soda 

Place the mint leaves into a long mojito glass (often called a "collins" glass) and squeeze the juice from a cut lime over it. You'll want about two ounces of lime juice, so it may not require all of the juice from a single lime. Add the powdered sugar, then gently smash the mint into the lime juice and sugar with a muddler. Add ice (preferably crushed) then add the rum and stir. Top off with the club soda. Garnish with a mint sprig.

Source: La Bodeguita del Medio, Photo: Wikipedia