Old Cuban

Old Cuban is a classic Cuban cocktail made with rum, lime juice, mint, bitters, and champagne. It is a refreshing and elegant drink that is perfect for any occasion.

Old Cuban recipe

• 4.5 cl aged rum
• 2.25 cl fresh lime juice
• 3 cl simple syrup
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• 6 to 8 mint leaves
• 6 cl champagne brut or Prosecco

Pour all ingredients except the wine into cocktail shaker, shake well with ice, strain into chilled elegant cocktail glass. Top up with the sparkling wine and garnish with mint sprigs

Directions for how to make the Old Cuban

1. Pour 4.5 cl of aged rum into a cocktail shaker.
2. Add 2.25 cl of fresh lime juice to the shaker.
3. Pour 3 cl of simple syrup into the shaker.
4. Add 2 dashes of Angostura bitters to the shaker.
5. Tear 6-8 mint leaves and add them to the shaker.
6. Fill the shaker with ice and shake well.
7. Strain the mixture into a chilled elegant cocktail glass.
8. Top up the glass with 6 cl of champagne brut or Prosecco.
9. Garnish the cocktail with mint sprigs before serving.

Tips for how to make the perfect Old Cuban

• Start with high-quality ingredients, including fresh lime juice and mint leaves.

• Use a good quality aged rum for a richer flavor.

• Muddle the mint leaves and lime juice together before adding the other ingredients.

• Add simple syrup and Angostura bitters for a sweet yet balanced taste.

• Top off with a splash of champagne for a bit of fizz and sophistication.

• Serve in a chilled glass and garnish with a mint sprig and lime wheel.

Alcohol-free alternative to the Old Cuban

One alternative to the alcoholic drink Old Cuban could be a non-alcoholic mojito. This drink can be made by muddling fresh mint leaves and lime wedges together in a glass, and then adding ice and topping it off with 7-up or another soda. This drink provides the refreshing taste of mint and lime, without the added alcohol content of the Old Cuban. Another option could be a virgin daiquiri made with fresh fruit juices and blended ice for a frozen, fruity drink without the alcohol. For those who prefer a more sophisticated drink, a virgin Mary Pickford can be made with pineapple juice, grenadine, and soda water, served over ice with a garnish of pineapple and a maraschino cherry. These alcohol-free alternatives are perfect for those who want to enjoy the flavors and experience of a classic cocktail, without the alcohol.

Old Cuban fun facts

1. Old Cuban is a cocktail that originated in New York City in the 1990s, despite its name evoking images of Cuba.
2. The drink is a champagne cocktail made with rum, mint, lime juice, simple syrup, and Angostura bitters.
3. The Old Cuban was created by bartender Audrey Saunders, who is known as the “queen of cocktails” and has won multiple awards for her creations.
4. The cocktail is named after its key ingredient, rum, which was historically associated with sailors and pirates who were often referred to as “old salts” or “old seadogs.”
5. Some variations of the Old Cuban call for the use of cava instead of champagne, and others use different types of rum or mint varieties to create unique flavor profiles.