The refreshing combinations of rum, sugar, lemon juice and liquor in Cuban cocktails are designed to make hot days more bearable. With different variations on these drinks depending upon what ingredients you want it will always be an enjoyable experience! Even if you’ve had these drinks somewhere else in the world, you must try them in Cuba!
Pina Colada
It literally means strained pineapple. The cocktail was noted in the New York Time in the 1950s as Cuba’s cocktail, but it is debated whether it originated in Cuba or by Puerto Rican pirate Roberto Cofresí, who used to give such drink to his crew to boost his morale. His recipe was lost, so I guess we’ll never know!
How does one make this delicious drink you may ask?
My version is quite simple!
Get a blender, put in some ice. Add 60ml white rum, 60ml pineapple juice, 30ml coconut cream and blend. But, I asked Yoanis, because afterall he’s the local with hands on knowledge! So here is his method. Get some fresh Pineapple and cut it into small pieces. Add some Coconut milk, sugar and rum. I have to warn you, there’s no measuring in Cuba, it’s all free pour according to your tastebuds. Once blended and poured, add some cinnamon as garnish. If you’d like to make it extra creamy, add some powdered milk.
Mojito
Yet another cocktail with an interesting history. Did it originate in Havana? Or by the slaves on the sugar cane plantation? Not entirely sure. But I am liking the fact that we can look at it as a health drink, afterall the mint and lime in itself is a great way to treat the likes of scurvy and dysentery which it was said to fight.
Mojitos are the perfect drink for a sunny afternoon. Even though they seem simple, there’s an art behind making this refreshing cocktail that will have you feeling like royalty! For starters: fresh lime juice is added to sugar (or syrup) and mashed with muddlers made from wood or plastic spirits goblets until bruised mint leaves release their essential oils. Then rum is added and the mixture is briefly stirred to dissolve the sugar and to lift the mint leaves up from the bottom for better presentation. Finally, the drink is topped with crushed ice and sparkling soda water. Muddled mint leaves and limes are placed on top of your drink to give it an extra special edge.
The final touch for this delicious, refreshing beverage is a sprig or two from fresh spearmint as well!
What do you need to make it happen? Juice of 1 lime, 1 tsp granulated sugar, small handful mint leaves, plus extra sprig or two to serve, 60ml white rum and soda water to taste. And the locals secret, a dash or two of angostura bitters.
Capirinha
Portugal? Brasil? Cuba? Who really knows where it really come from… Today, it is still used as a tonic for the common cold. Commonly, practitioners add some distilled spirits to home remedies to expedite the therapeutic effect. What can I say, my kind of medicine!
It is Yoanis’ favorite, as such he has given me the tools to master the skills to make this away from home also! Have to say, it had a great success!
So here’s what you need to do: Get a lime and cut it into piece, add sugar syrup to taste, then smash. Add ice and rum. Now, Yo would stop here, but Im a little weaker, so I add a dash of soda to taer it down a little.
You must remember, it can never be sparkling lime juice, ever! It would totally destroy the cocktail! Or so I’m told.
Daiquiri
It is a word of Taino origin, as well as the name of a beach and iron ore mine near Santiago de Cuba. This refreshing and unique Cuban drink was invented by an American mining engineer, Jennings Cox. The original recipe called for fresh fruit, sugar and ice in a glass packed with cracked cubes with two or three ounces of rum completing the mixture. But it didn’t take long this refreshing summer brew began to evolve!
The base cocktail is light and elegant, sweet and tart, balanced and magical on a hot summer’s day.
So what do you need to make the basic recipe? 2 ounces rum, Havana Club 3 Años, if you can find it,
1 ounce fresh-squeezed lime juice and 3/4 ounces of sugar syrup. And if you want to get adventurous, you can add other fruit, like strawberries or mangoes.
Cuba Libre
This cocktail is otherwise known as Rum and coke. The name literally means Free Cuba. The cocktail was first created in the early 20th century, after Cuba won its independence from Spain. It became popular across this country as well as many other nations around world because it’s such an easy and inexpensive drink with basic ingredients that are easily obtained by virtually anyone at any time!
Now let’s prepare one of these babies!
Grab ½ lime, 50ml rum , make sure it is Havana Club anejo blanco which is a white rum. If you don’t have that handy you can use Bacardi or some other white rum, and finish it off with 100ml cola and ice.
Cubata
Here’s one you may not know about. It’s pretty much a Cuba Libre just with a dark rum. Havana Club 7 years is the one used for it in Cuba, if you can get your hands on it elsewhere, it’s the way to go.
If you’re looking to explore Cuba’s delicious cocktail and unique history, culture, people and landscape – and don’t want the hassle of organizing all your own details- join us on one of our sustainable small group tours. You’ll receive an authentic experience in a safe environment for travelers who are interested in learning about Cuban life while also experiencing its rich cultural heritage first hand through visits to art galleries, museums, markets, restaurants and more!
