Liquid libations have been paired with songs since honky-tonk piano players provided the soundtrack to exploits in Old West saloons. Jazz stylings enlivened 1920 speakeasies, jukeboxes have poured out country tunes in taverns for decades, and today’s live music is an enduring attraction in Key West bars.
Given that, it’s not surprising that a large number of songs about alcohol have topped the charts or become renowned as classics. Although not all varieties of liquor are memorialized in the musical mainstream, many have inspired songwriters’ salutes via lyrics and chords.
There’s UB40’s reggae version of “Red, Red Wine.” The Andrews Sisters offered the calypso-flavored “Rum and Coca Cola” in the 1940s. Country superstar Willie Nelson celebrated whiskey in “Whiskey River” and vodka in “Bloody Mary Morning,” and Rupert Holmes’ “The Piña Colada Song” has a catchy refrain featuring the tropical cocktail.
Tequila too has been commemorated in songs for generations. People still belt out the single-word lyric to the Champs’ 1958 hit “Tequila,” while the Eagles’ 1973 ballad “Tequila Sunrise” gives an innovative twist to the name of the popular cocktail.
No drink-related song, however, is more famous than Jimmy Buffett’s “Margaritaville.” Buffett lived in Key West during some of his most productive years, developing his trop-rock style and portraying the island’s characters and quirkiness in now-classic tunes … including his ode to the tequila-based cocktail called the Margarita.
“Margaritaville” is closely identified with Key West, and there’s a Margarita worthy of the singer-songwriter himself on the specialty menu at Bar 1. Located at the Key West Cooking School at 291 Front St., the bar is themed to celebrate the adventurers and writers who — like Buffett — found inspiration in the island city.
Bar 1’s air margarita is a refreshing yet intoxicating blend of top-shelf tequila, fresh lime juice and agave syrup. While the song’s lyrics reference “booze in the blender,” the Bar 1 version is vigorously shaken instead of blended. After straining the drink into a glass, it’s topped with head mixologist Brad Rouge’s special Key West Salt Air Foam and garnished with a lime wheel.
This is an ideal time to enjoy Bar 1’s distinctive Margarita, since the Just a Few Friends celebration of Buffett’s music and life is set for Labor Day Weekend. Sip and savor the concoction in the “Caribbean casual” bar, surrounded by angling and literary memorabilia that communicates the essence of the island’s colorful character — just as the lyrics to “Margaritaville” do.
Last Call
Drink of the month: Tequila Sunrise. This simple yet classic cocktail, served in a tall glass over ice, features tequila, orange juice and a small bit of grenadine. Garnished with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry, it has a vivid color that suggests the early-morning sky. Drop by Bar 1 to learn how to make one!
Helpful bar hack: What’s the best way to clean a blender after using it to make a cocktail? Simply put a drop of dish soap and a cup of water in it, and turn it on to blend for up to two minutes. This is especially helpful after making creamy drinks that can leave a sticky residue.
Thirsty for more? Visit keywestcookingschool.com.
