A dark rum twist on the popular mojito, the Old Cuban is a sweet and refreshing summer cocktail.
Rum is not usually a spirit I immediately go for when I feel like making a drink. I've got both white and aged rum on my bar cart, but I tend to lean towards whisky cocktails for something to sip, or gin cocktails for something more light and refreshing. Rum is so versatile though! So if you're like me, the Old Cuban might be the drink that gently pushes you over the line into dabbling with rum again.
This cocktail was created by legendary bartender Audrey Saunders, of Pegu Club in New York. Inspired by the popular mojito, you'll notice some similar flavours and ingredients between both drinks. The Old Cuban replaces white rum with aged, adds a few dashes of angostura bitters and is topped with sparkling wine for a little effervescence. The result is a refreshing summer cocktail for easy sipping.
While most recipes suggest champagne, I usually opt for sparkling wine. I like to buy the small bottles of prosecco or cava and keep them in the fridge especially for cocktails. Something on the dry side is preferrable, as you're adding a sugar syrup to the drink for sweetness already.
I made a rich sugar syrup for this cocktail. That is simple two parts sugar to one part water. For that reason, I only use 15 millilitres of sugar syrup. If you've only got a simple syrup on hand, try 30 millilitres, or go by your own tastes.
Watch the video here. Tag me if you make this one, nothing makes me happier!
Old Cuban
Ingredients
- 6 mint leaves
- 45 mL aged rum
- 15 mL rich simple syrup
- 22.5 mL lime juice
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 30 mL champagne or sparkling wine
- Sprig of mint to garnish
Instructions
- In the base of a cocktail shaker, add the mint leaves, rum, sugar syrup, lime juice and angostura bitters.
- Add ice and shake to chill - about 12 seconds.
- Double strain into a chilled coupe glass before topping with sparkling wine. Garnish with a sprig of mint.
Looking for more cocktails? Try a White Lady or Picante de la Casa.
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