Go Back
Old Cuban Cocktail Drink

Old Cuban Recipe

Gavin Wrigley Written by Gavin Wrigley
Try our Old Cuban recipe for a simple delight! It's the perfect summer drink with rum, lime, and champagne.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 212

Ingredients
 

  • 1½ oz Aged Rum
  • ¾ oz simple syrup
  • ½ oz fresh lime juice
  • 2 dashes Angostura aromatic bitters
  • 2-3 fresh mint leaves
  • Champagne or Sparkling Wine - to top
  • Mint sprig - for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Cocktail Shaker
  • Muddler
  • Cocktail Strainer
  • Fine strainer
  • Champagne Flute

Instructions

  • Chill Glass: Stir some ice cubes in your champagne flute.
  • Muddle Mint: Muddle 2-3 fresh mint leaves with ¾ oz simple syrup in the cocktail shaker.
  • Add Ingredients: Pour ½ oz fresh lime juice, 2 dashes Angostura aromatic bitters, and 1½ oz Aged Rum into the shaker.
  • Shake: Fill the shaker with ice cubes and shake the mixture vigorously until well chilled.
  • Strain: Fine strain the cocktail into a chilled champagne flute.
  • Top Off: Fill the rest of the flute with champagne or sparkling wine.
  • Garnish: Decorate the cocktail with a mint sprig.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Aged Rum: I often use dark rum when I don't have aged rum. It offers a rich depth that complements the cocktail's other ingredients.
  • Simple Syrup: Sometimes, I've run out of simple syrup, so I dissolve some sugar in water. Agave nectar also makes a good swap, but I use a tad less since it's sweeter.
  • Champagne or Sparkling Wine: A crisp Prosecco or Cava does wonders if you're out of champagne.

Making a Pitcher of Old Cuban:

  • Scale: For a pitcher serving 8, you'll need 12 oz of aged rum, 6 oz of simple syrup, 4 oz of fresh lime juice, 16 dashes of Angostura bitters, and around 24 mint leaves. When ready to serve, top off each glass with champagne.
  • Mix: Combine all the ingredients except the champagne in a large pitcher with ice. Stir well.
  • Serve: Pour the mixture into individual champagne flutes, top with champagne, garnish with a mint sprig, and serve immediately.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • Aged Rum Substitute: Opt for a non-alcoholic dark rum or a mix of pineapple and coconut water for a tropical flavor.
  • Champagne Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic sparkling wine or club soda for that bubbly kick.
  • Proceed As Usual: Use the non-alcoholic substitutes, omit the Angostura Bitters and follow the original steps to relish a non-alcoholic version.

Making it Vegan:

Ensure the champagne or sparkling wine doesn't employ animal-derived fining agents like gelatin, egg whites, or milk proteins. Most modern brands have vegan-friendly options, so always check the label.