Cuban Cocktails – Cocktails from around the World

Cuban Cocktails – Cocktails from around the World
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Cuban cocktails are predominantly cocktails with rum and citrus juice with some, such as the Mojito and the Daiquiri, now popular throughout the world. The fact that Cuban cocktails are nearly all rum based should come as no surprise due to Cuba`s strong association with the spirit. Cuba is sometimes called the “Isle of Rum” because of a combination of its world famous sugar cane, fertile soil, favourable Caribbean climate and the know-how of its legendary master rum makers. Even today tourists still flock to legendary bars like El Floridita and Bodeguita del Medio to sample the legendary cocktails with rum that have made Cuban cocktails so popular around the world.
We have selected 5 Cuban Cocktails we feel best represent this fascinating country:

1)El Presidente

The El Presidente is a Cuban-born cocktail from the Prohibition era which calls for an aged rum. The actual history of the drink is a little hazy, with several different bars taking credit for creating it in honour of one or more Cuban leaders. Although not the most well-know of Cuban cocktails this drink has been making its way back on to menu of some respected cocktail bars.

Cocktail Ingredients

50 ml Aged Rum, 12 1/2 ml Orange Liqueur, 10 ml Dry Vermouth, splash Grenadine, Orange Peel

How to make an El Presidente cocktail

Begin by chilling coupe glass with ice and soda. Add ice to mixing glass and add all ingredients. Stir sown the drink for 20 seconds, using a bar spoon. When mixing ensure the glass is kept full to the brim with ice. Strain the drink into the chilled coupe glass and serve straight up. Garnish with orange peel twist.

2)Daiquiri

The Daiquiri is undoubtedly one of the most loved cocktails with rum and there are endless variations available to please any taste. Legend has it that the Daiquiri was invented by an American mining engineer by the name of Jennings Cox, who happened to be in Cuba at the time of the Spanish-American War. The Daiquiri is a very easy cocktail to prepare, with essentially only 3 ingredients.

Cocktail Ingredients

50 ml White Rum, 1 1/2 bar spoons Sugar, 25 ml Lime Juice, Lime slice

How to make a Daiquiri

Chill coupe glass with soda water. Add sugar to mixing tin and then add white rum and lime juice. Add a little cracked ice to the bottom then fill the rest of the tin with ice. Shake for 10 – 15 seconds, taste and then fine strain into coupe glass. Garnish glass with lime slice.

3)Cuba Libre

Cuba Libre essentially translates into “Free Cuba” and was popularized towards the end of the Spanish American war. The cocktail is essentially a Rum & Coke with the addition of the lime juice defining the drink. This again is another easy cocktail to prepare and hence perfect for cocktail novices.

Cocktail Ingredients

50 ml Anejo Rum, 8 Lime wedges, 100 ml Cola, Lime wedge

How to make a Cuba Libre

Add rum into rocks glass and squeeze the lime wedges over the top. Give quick churn with bar spoon and top up with ice. Fill to brim with cola and add in lime wedge as garnish.

4)Hemingway Daiquiri

Ernest Hemingway was a big fan of Cuban cocktails and legend has it that the Daiquir was his favourite. In 1921 the bartender of the El Floridita in Havana created a variation in his honour, which was to become known as either the Hemingway Daquiri or the Papa Doble. The drink is still served today at the bar.

Cocktail Ingredients

50 ml White Rum, 10 ml Maraschino Liqueur, 12 1/2 ml Grapefruit Juice, 12 1/2 ml Lime Juice, 12 1/2 ml Simple Syrup, Maraschino Cherry

How to make a Hemingway Daiquiri

Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice cubes. Shake well. Double strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a maraschino cherry

5)Mojito

Today, the Mojito is the most popular of all cocktails with rum and continues to go from strength to strength, with its light and refreshing mix striking a chord with both female and male drinkers. The cocktail is fairly straightforward to make, although the muddling of the ingredients can be time-consuming, plus for best results flaked ice instead of crushed ice should always be used.

Cocktail Ingredients

50 ml White Rum, 8 Mint leaves, 12 1/2 ml Sugar Syrup, 25 ml Lime Juice, 2 Mint sprigs

How to make a Mojito

Add the white rum to a highball glass. Add 8 – 10 mint leaves and sugar syrup and lime juice.Muddle with bar spoon. Add crushed ice and a splash of soda. Mix drink down with bar spoon. Taste. Top up with more crushed ice. Slap 2 mint sprigs to release essence and put into drink. Add small splash of soda and straw.

 

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Written by Guest Author

Posted: March 24, 2013