The history of the SeRum goes way back to the 19th century. At that time, the Panama Canal was being built. The harsh working conditions and the outbreak of malaria killed many Cubans and people living in the Caribbean. The Cuban women added pickled dried fruit and spices to their old Panamanian spirits to make a kind of energy drink to give the Manners strength. Later, these spirits were also administered for snake bites and malaria, as they were believed to have a healing effect; hence the name 'SeRum'. SeRum Ancon was named after the American cargo and passenger ship that officially became the first ship to cross the Panama Canal in 1914. Since that day, SeRum Ancon has been drunk on the decks to toast a safe journey.