6 Cuban Rum Cocktails to Try

With many rums produced in Cuba, the country has become linked with some tasty alcoholic beverages using this spirit. Here we share some of our favourite Cuban rum cocktails that you can make at home!

Mojito

One of the most popular cocktails in the world, the mojito originates from Cuba and makes use of delicious white rum.

You will need:

• 60ml white rum
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1 tsp granulated sugar
• Soda water
• Mint leaves
• Crushed ice

1. In a tall glass, add the sugar, lime
   juice and a few mint leaves and mix and mash together.
2. Fill the glass half-way with crushed ice.
3. Pour the rum over the ice and mix all
   together with a long spoon.
4. Top off the drink with soda water and
   garnish with some extra mint leaves.

Daiquiri

Daiquiri is another popular cocktail that makes use of delicious Cuban rum.

You will need:

• 60ml white rum
• 10ml sugar syrup
• 25ml lime juice
• Ice

1. Add ice to a cocktail shaker and pour the
   ingredients over before shaking together.
2. Strain the mixture into a glass and
   serve.

The daiquiri has had several variations created over the years, so if you would like to experiment with flavours, then why not try one of these twists on the classic recipe?

Strawberry Daiquiri

Before you add the ingredients to the shaker, pop in a handful of strawberries and crush with a pestle. Add the daiquiri ingredients as above, shake and strain into a glass for a fruity sip.

Blue Daiquiri

In place of sugar syrup, use blue curacao for a tropical-feeling sip with a vibrant colour.

Achim Schleuning / License: Creative Commons CC-by-sa-3.0 de

Hemingway Daiquiri

Created by a bartender at La Floridita in Cuba for Ernest Hemingway, the Hemingway Daiquiri, also known as Papa Doble, is a twist on the daiquiri that sees the sugar replaced with double the rum – as requested by Hemingway!

La Floridita bartender Antonio Meilan later added grapefruit juice and maraschino to this cocktail to make it more palatable.

You will need:

• 90ml white rum
• 30ml grapefruit juice
• 15ml lime juice
• 5ml Maraschino liqueur
• Crushed ice

1. All ingredients should be blended with crushed ice for a few seconds before being served in a tall glass.

Cuba Libre

A simple cocktail that most rum lovers will have tried – even if they didn’t realise it! Make sure not to forget the squeeze of lime to make this a true Cuba Libre!

You will need:

• 50ml rum
• 100ml cola
• ½ lime
• Ice

1. Cut half a lime into wedges. Squeeze the juice of half the wedges into a tall glass and put the remaining wedges into the glass whole.
2. Add ice to the glass, pour the rum over and top with cola.
3. Stir all together gently and serve.

El Presidente

El Presidente gained its popularity in Cuba during the 1920s, following the American Prohibition. During the prohibition in the US, many paid a visit to Cuba to enjoy a rum-based cocktail or two!

This cocktail is so named in thanks to the Cuban president who did not impose a ban on alcohol in Cuba! 

You will need:

• 40ml rum
• 20ml orange curacao
• 20ml vermouth
• Dash of Grenadine
• Ice

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and pour in all ingredients.
2. Shake and strain into a cocktail glass.

El Nacional

El Nacional is named after the Hotel Nacional in Havana. It mixes sticky sweet tastes of dark rum, pineapple juice and apricot liqueur into a rich, flavourful sip.

You will need:

• 20ml white rum
• 20ml dark rum
• 20ml pineapple juice
• 14ml lime juice
• 7ml apricot liqueur
• Thin slices of lime
• Ice

1. Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker, shake and strain into a glass.
2. Top the glass with a thin slice of lime.

Whichever cocktail you choose, why not pair it with a luxurious Cuban cigar to enjoy all the best tastes of Cuba?