White Cuban Cocktail Drink

White Cuban

A shot of Gavin Wrigley looking to the camera in a dimly lit room
Written by Gavin Wrigley
Andrea
Tested by
Andrea Ottaiano

If you’re looking for a delightful cocktail, this White Cuban Drink recipe has all the right ingredients. It’s a drink you can easily make and is sure to impress!

White Cuban Drink Recipe

Refresh your evening with our White Cuban drink recipe! It's the ideal sipper for a chill night with white Rum, coffee liqueur, and a splash of cream.

Prep time:

1 minute

Mixing time:

1 minute

Servings:

1

Calories:

259 kl

Ingredients

  • 1 oz White Rum
  • 1 oz coffee Liqueur
  • 1 oz heavy cream
  • Ice cubes
  • Freshly grated nutmeg, for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Cocktail Shaker
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Old Fashioned Glass
  • Strainer

Instructions

  • Prep Glass: Fill your old fashioned glass with ice cubes.
  • Add Heavy Cream: Add 1 oz heavy cream to the shaker.
  • Add Coffee Liqueur: Measure and pour 1 oz coffee Liqueur.
  • Add White Rum: Pour 1 oz White Rum into the shaker.
  • Shake Well: Add ice, seal the shaker, and give it a vigorous shake for about 15 seconds.
  • Strain into Glass: Using a strainer, pour the mixture into an Old Fashioned glass filled with fresh ice.
  • Garnish: Sprinkle freshly grated nutmeg on top for garnish, if desired.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • White Rum: I've sometimes used aged Rum for a deeper flavor profile when I don't have white Rum on hand. However, be aware this might slightly change the color and taste.
  • Coffee Liqueur: In a bind? Try using a strong brewed coffee with a bit of simple syrup. It won't have the alcoholic content, but it'll give that coffee kick.
  • Heavy Cream: If heavy cream is too rich for you, I've successfully used half-and-half. It's a tad lighter but still creamy.

Making a Pitcher:

  • Scale: If you want to serve 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 8 oz of white Rum, 8 oz of coffee liqueur, and 8 oz of heavy cream.
  • Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the white Rum, coffee liqueur, and heavy cream. Stir well.
  • Serve: Pour the mixture into ice-filled Old Fashioned glasses, garnish with freshly grated nutmeg, and serve immediately.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • White Rum Substitute: You can find non-alcoholic rum flavoring or syrups in most grocery stores. They can mimic the taste without the alcohol.
  • Coffee Liqueur Substitute: A strong brewed coffee with a dash of simple syrup can replace the coffee liqueur.
  • Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic.

Making it Vegan:

  • Heavy Cream Substitute: Instead of regular heavy cream, use a vegan alternative like coconut cream. It offers a delicious creamy texture with a hint of coconut flavor. Ensure it's well-shaken or stirred before use to maintain a consistent texture.

Nutrition Facts

Calories
259
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
10
g
15
%
Saturated Fat
 
7
g
44
%
Sodium
 
10
mg
0
%
Carbohydrates
 
14
g
5
%
Sugar
 
14
g
16
%
Potassium
 
28
mg
1
%
Cholesterol
 
32
mg
11
%
Protein
 
1
g
2
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
0.5
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
3
g
Vitamin A
 
417
IU
8
%
Vitamin C
 
0.2
mg
0
%
Calcium
 
19
mg
2
%
Iron
 
0.04
mg
0
%

 

White Cuban Cocktail Drink

White Cuban Drink Recipe

Gavin Wrigley Written by Gavin Wrigley
Jump to Video
Refresh your evening with our White Cuban drink recipe! It's the ideal sipper for a chill night with white Rum, coffee liqueur, and a splash of cream.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 259

Ingredients
 

  • 1 oz White Rum
  • 1 oz coffee Liqueur
  • 1 oz heavy cream
  • Ice cubes
  • Freshly grated nutmeg - for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Cocktail Shaker
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Old Fashioned Glass
  • Strainer

Instructions

  • Prep Glass: Fill your old fashioned glass with ice cubes.
  • Add Heavy Cream: Add 1 oz heavy cream to the shaker.
  • Add Coffee Liqueur: Measure and pour 1 oz coffee Liqueur.
  • Add White Rum: Pour 1 oz White Rum into the shaker.
  • Shake Well: Add ice, seal the shaker, and give it a vigorous shake for about 15 seconds.
  • Strain into Glass: Using a strainer, pour the mixture into an Old Fashioned glass filled with fresh ice.
  • Garnish: Sprinkle freshly grated nutmeg on top for garnish, if desired.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • White Rum: I've sometimes used aged Rum for a deeper flavor profile when I don't have white Rum on hand. However, be aware this might slightly change the color and taste.
  • Coffee Liqueur: In a bind? Try using a strong brewed coffee with a bit of simple syrup. It won't have the alcoholic content, but it'll give that coffee kick.
  • Heavy Cream: If heavy cream is too rich for you, I've successfully used half-and-half. It's a tad lighter but still creamy.

Making a Pitcher:

  • Scale: If you want to serve 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 8 oz of white Rum, 8 oz of coffee liqueur, and 8 oz of heavy cream.
  • Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the white Rum, coffee liqueur, and heavy cream. Stir well.
  • Serve: Pour the mixture into ice-filled Old Fashioned glasses, garnish with freshly grated nutmeg, and serve immediately.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • White Rum Substitute: You can find non-alcoholic rum flavoring or syrups in most grocery stores. They can mimic the taste without the alcohol.
  • Coffee Liqueur Substitute: A strong brewed coffee with a dash of simple syrup can replace the coffee liqueur.
  • Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic.

Making it Vegan:

  • Heavy Cream Substitute: Instead of regular heavy cream, use a vegan alternative like coconut cream. It offers a delicious creamy texture with a hint of coconut flavor. Ensure it's well-shaken or stirred before use to maintain a consistent texture.

What is a White Cuban Drink?

A White Cuban Drink blends white Rum, coffee liqueur, and cream. It takes inspiration from the Black Russian but features rum instead of vodka.

A White Cuban cocktail, shot from above, in an old fashioned glass on a green cloth placed on a tiled surface, surrounded by coffee beans, and a jigger.

White Cuban Drink Ingredients

For a White Cuban Drink, start with these key ingredients:

  • White Rum: The primary spirit that provides the cocktail with its characteristic kick and light, crisp base.
  • Coffee Liqueur: Adds depth with its rich coffee flavor, enhancing the drink’s overall complexity.
  • Heavy Cream: Imparts a creamy texture, balancing the sharpness of the Rum and the bitterness of the coffee liqueur.

White Rum, coffee liqueur, and heavy cream laid out on a white bar table.

How do you make a White Cuban Drink?

Forge your own White Cuban Drink masterpiece with our clear, step-by-step guidance:

1
<p>Start by filling an old-fashioned glass with ice cubes.</p>

Start by filling an old-fashioned glass with ice cubes.

2
<p>Pour into the shaker the heavy cream, giving the cocktail a creamy texture and balance.</p>

Pour into the shaker the heavy cream, giving the cocktail a creamy texture and balance.

3
<p>Add coffee liqueur, contributing to the rich depth of coffee flavor.</p>

Add coffee liqueur, contributing to the rich depth of coffee flavor.

4
<p>Pour white Rum into the glass, introducing the main spirit of the cocktail.</p>

Pour white Rum into the glass, introducing the main spirit of the cocktail.

5
<p>Fill up your cocktail shaker with ice cubes.</p>

Fill up your cocktail shaker with ice cubes.

6
<p>Seal the shaker tightly and vigorously shake it for about 15 seconds, combining and chilling the ingredients.</p>

Seal the shaker tightly and vigorously shake it for about 15 seconds, combining and chilling the ingredients.

7
<p>Remove the ice cubes from your chilled Old Fashioned glass.</p>

Remove the ice cubes from your chilled Old Fashioned glass.

8
<p>Refill the chilled Old Fashioned glass with ice cubes.</p>

Refill the chilled Old Fashioned glass with ice cubes.

9
<p>Using a strainer, transfer the contents of the shaker into your Old Fashioned glass, ensuring a smooth pour without ice shards.</p>

Using a strainer, transfer the contents of the shaker into your Old Fashioned glass, ensuring a smooth pour without ice shards.

10
<p>Sprinkle freshly grated nutmeg on top for garnish, if desired.</p>

Sprinkle freshly grated nutmeg on top for garnish, if desired.

11
<p>Enjoy your White Cuban cocktail!</p>

Enjoy your White Cuban cocktail!

Best Rum for a White Cuban Drink

When diving into the world of the White Cuban, the choice of Rum is paramount. You want a white rum that’s smooth and clean but carries its distinct personality. Bacardi Superior is a go-to for many. It’s crisp, with subtle citrus notes, making it an excellent foundation for this cocktail. Havana Club 3-Year-Old is another solid pick. Produced in Cuba, it offers hints of vanilla and oak that can elevate your White Cuban to another level. For those looking for a more refined experience, Diplomático Planas from Venezuela is hard to beat, with its complex fruity and creamy profile. If I had to suggest just one? Start with Havana Club for a true nod to the Cuban heritage, and then explore from there. Experimentation is half the fun, after all.

A White Cuban cocktail, shot from above, in an old fashioned glass on a black stone coaster on top of a green cloth placed on a tiled surface, surrounded by coffee beans, a shot glass with heavy cream, nutmegs, and a jigger.

History and Origins of the White Cuban Drink

As tempting as it sounds, the White Cuban doesn’t have a long-documented history like some other classic cocktails. Its roots lie in its predecessor, the Black Russian, which combines vodka and coffee liqueur. Adding cream to a Black Russian gives birth to the White Russian, a drink that gained significant popularity, especially after its association with the movie “The Big Lebowski”.

A side shot of a White Cuban cocktail in an old fashioned glass on a green cloth placed on a tiled surface, surrounded by coffee beans, nutmegs and a jigger.

The White Cuban is a further evolution, replacing the vodka of the White Russian with Rum. This swap infuses the drink with a slightly lighter, more tropical feel, reminiscent of the sunny Caribbean vibes associated with Rum.

The name “White Cuban” draws inspiration from the country known for its Rum – Cuba. However, while Cuba boasts a variety of classic rum cocktails like the Mojito and the Daiquiri, the White Cuban isn’t traditionally Cuban. Instead, its name serves as a nod to its primary spirit and an evocative hint at tropical relaxation.

A White Cuban cocktail, shot from above, in an old fashioned glass on a white marmol table surrounded by White Rum bottle, Coffee Liqueur bottle, shot glass with heavy cream, coffee beans and a nutmeg.

 

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FAQ

How many calories does a White Cuban typically have?
A standard version contains approximately 250-300 calories, which can vary based on specific ingredients and quantities.
How strong is a White Cuban in terms of ABV?
The alcohol by volume (ABV) usually hovers around 20-25%, depending on the rum and coffee liqueur used.
What's the proof of a White Cuban?
Given its ABV, a White Cuban typically has a proof of 40-50.
Which type of alcohol is predominantly used by a White Cuban?
White Rum serves as the primary alcohol.
In what kind of glass is a White Cuban traditionally served?
It's typically served in an Old Fashioned glass.
What does a White Cuban taste like?
The drink offers a creamy texture with a balanced combination of coffee bitterness from the liqueur and the light, crisp notes of white Rum.
How is the White Cuban typically served in terms of ice?
It's usually served over ice, meaning the drink is poured over ice cubes in the glass.

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