Old Cuban Cocktail Recipe

The Old Cuban cocktail is a perfect combination of fresh mint, deep rum, and effervescent champagne.

If you love a Mojito, this is your time to shine.

The Old Cuban is kind of like a Mojito’s older, more sophisticated sister. It incorporates a couple of additional ingredients that elevate the Mojito feel into something completely different and equally delicious.

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History of the Old Cuban Cocktail

The history of the Old Cuban cocktail is kind of exciting because it’s fairly recent!

Bartending legend Audrey Saunders created the cocktail in NYC in 2001, while she was bartending at a midtown restaurant called Beacon.

It takes major inspiration from the Mojito, but with a few notable shifts.

Rather than a white rum, an aged rum is the base of the Old Cuban. It still contains the traditional mint leaves, fresh lime, and simple syrup, but adds some surprises toward the end!

The Old Cuban is finished with a dash of bitters and a topper of champagne, which makes it simultaneously sophisticated and celebratory. A great combo.

Rum and Other Cocktail Ideas

While you’re at it, be sure to bookmark some other delicious cocktails for your at-home mixology adventures!

• Mojito Mocktail and Classic Mojito // A Favorite Cocktail Two Ways
• The Snow Day
• Spaghett Cocktail Recipe (The New Aperol Spritz!)
• Rose Prosecco Cocktail

Ingredients You’ll Need

Rum. Use an aged rum for the Old Cuban to bring a rich, deep flavor.

Simple Syrup. Find this at any grocery store, or make your own!

Mint. Fresh sprigs of mint brighten up the cocktail and give it a light feel to play against the aged rum.

Lime. Always use fresh citrus juice in a cocktail for the best flavor!

Angoustora Bitters. A great bottle to keep in your home bar for adding to lots of different cocktail recipes!

Champagne. Be sure to use chilled champagne for this recipe.

How to Make an Old Cuban Cocktail

1. Muddle 6 mint leaves with 1 ounce of simple syrup and 3/4 ounce of fresh lime juice in a cocktail shaker. I love this one.
2. Add to the shaker 1 1/2 ounces of rum and two dashes of bitters. Add ice and shake vigorously until chilled.
3. Strain into a coupe glass and top with chilled champagne.
4. Garnish with a mint sprig.

Substitutions or Variations on the Old Cuban

Because the measurements and ingredients of an Old Cuban are pretty specific, if you veer too far off the path you’ll be creating an entirely new cocktail.

And there’s nothing wrong with that! That’s how great cocktails are made.

To edge closer to a Mojito, use white rum instead of aged rum.

To make the drink feel more like a French 75, you could substitute lemon for lime juice.

Or you could try some nonalcoholic spirits for a zero-proof version! (Be sure to use nonalcoholic champagne too.)

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