The cocktail world owes a thanks to Cuba for the drinks that the island has brought into this world. The daiquiri, the mojito, the culto a la vida, and the saoco. There's a Cuban cocktail for anyone and everyone. Come on in, and find yourself a slice of paradise.
Daiquiri
You know the daiquiri, but did you know that this supposedly owes its roots to a mining engineer while he was visiting Cuba? Back then, you would find a daiquiri in a highball glass with cracked ice.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces light rum
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ¾ ounce simple syrup
- Ice
- Lime wheel for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a coupe glass.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, rum, lime juice, and simple syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into the chilled glass.
- Garnish with a lime wheel.
Hemingway Daiquiri
Close on the heels of the classic daiquiri is one that author Ernest Hemingway took his pen to; a bold, boozy drink that's heavy on the citrus.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces light rum
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ½ freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
- ½ ounce maraschino liqueur
- Ice
- Lime wheel for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a coupe glass.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, rum, lime juice, grapefruit juice, and maraschino liqueur.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a chilled glass.
- Garnish with a lime wheel.
Hotel Nacional
Just down the street from the hotel that originated the daiquiri, the Hotel Nacional became the namesake for this Cuban cocktail.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces light rum
- 1 ounce pineapple juice
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ¼ ounce apricot liqueur
- ¼ ounce simple syrup
- Ice
- Lime wheel for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a coupe glass.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, rum, pineapple juice, lime juice, apricot liqueur, and simple syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into the chilled glass.
- Garnish with a lime wheel.
El Presidente
Think of the el presidente as a brother to the Manhattan. Well, perhaps step-brother. This is the brother that went to college somewhere warm.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces white rum
- ¾ ounce dry vermouth
- ¼ ounce orange curaçao
- 1-2 dashes grenadine
- Ice
- Orange wheel for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a coupe glass.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, rum, dry vermouth, orange curaçao, and grenadine.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into the chilled glass.
- Garnish with an orange wheel.
Cuba Libre
You know the Cuba libre, trust me, you do. But it wouldn't be right to mention Cuban cocktails without this classic.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces rum
- Ice
- Cola to top off
- Lime wheel for garnish
Instructions
- In a highball or rocks glass, add ice and rum.
- Top off with cola.
- Garnish with a lime wheel.
Mojito
No drink or food has done the PR work for fresh mint the way the mojito has. You may be less acquainted with its twin, the cojito, which adds a splash of coconut rum, coconut milk, or coconut water.
Ingredients
- 3-5 fresh mint leaves
- 2 ounces white rum
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- Crushed ice
- Club soda to top off
- Bushy mint sprig and lime wheel for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktial shaker, muddle mint leaves with simple syrup.
- Add ice, rum, and lime juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Pour, do not strain, into a highball glass.
- Add additional crushed ice to fill the glass, if needed.
- Top off with club soda.
- Garnish with a mint sprig and lime wheel.
Culto a la Vida Cuban Cocktail
The cape codder loses the vodka in favor of a white rum and a bit of lime juice to round out all the flavors in a new-to-you way, but not in Cuba. This is a staple there.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces light or dark rum
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- Ice
- Cranberry juice to top off
- Lime wedge for garnish
Instructions
- In a rocks or highball glass, add ice, rum, lime juice, and simple syrup.
- Top off with cranberry juice.
- Stir to mix.
- Garnish with a lime wedge.
Saoco Cuban Cocktail
If you're team cojito, you're going to be team saoco, without a doubt. Coconut water, lime juice, and rum make up this refreshingly simple and easy Cuban classic cocktail.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces silver rum
- 3 ounces coconut water
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ¼ ounce simple syrup
- Ice
- Lime wheel for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, rum, coconut water, lime juice, and simple syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with a lime wheel.
Chaparra
Sweet vermouth is the co-star to rum in this outstanding cocktail that flies under the radar among the other Cuban cocktails. This recipe calls for the chaparra, slang for short woman, to be served on the rocks, but you can also enjoy this in a coupe glass without ice.
Ingredients
- 1¼ ounces light rum
- 1¼ ounces sweet vermouth
- ¼ ounce simple syrup
- Ice
- Lemon twist for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, light rum, sweet vermouth, and simple syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with a lemon twist.
Old Cuban
The old Cuban has approximately zero roots in Cuba. None. Despite the Cuban in its name, this cocktail originated in New York City. However, it's worth mentioning so you can be an informed Cuban cocktail imbiber.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Chill a coupe glass.
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle mint leaves with lime juice.
- Add ice, rum, simple syrup, and bitters.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into the chilled glass.
- Top off with prosecco.
- Garnish with a mint leaf.
A Cuban Cocktail a Day
A Cuban cocktail a day makes for an excellent immune system, I mean, think of all that fresh lime juice you're throwing back. Those very obvious health benefits aside, muddle, shake, and sip a classic Cuban cocktail recipe that'll sweep you off your feet.
