Old Cuban
Aged rum, lime, mint and bitters topped with Champagne. Audrey Saunders' 2001 modern classic.
Shaken · Coupe · Medium · about 3 minutes · about 14% ABV
Ingredients
- 45 ml Aged rum
- 22.5 ml Fresh lime juice
- 22.5 ml Sugar syrup
- 6 leaves Mint leaves
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 60 ml Champagne or sparkling wine
- Mint leaf (garnish)
Method
- Chill the glass
- Add 6 mint leaves
- Muddle gently
- Pour 45 ml aged rum into the shaker
- Add 22.5 ml fresh lime juice
- Pour 22.5 ml sugar syrup into the shaker
- Add 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
- Add ice
- Shake hard
- Strain
- Top with 60 ml champagne or sparkling wine
- Garnish
About the Old Cuban
Created by Audrey Saunders in 2001 and served at her Pegu Club in New York. It is a mojito made more elegant with aged rum, Angostura bitters and a Champagne top.
The sparkling family. Champagne cocktails go back to Jerry Thomas's 1862 book, where a sugar cube and bitters were dropped into a glass of sparkling wine. The French 75, the Kir Royale and the Bellini, created in Venice in the 1940s, made sparkling drinks the symbol of celebration.
Old Cuban FAQ
What's in an Old Cuban?
45 ml aged rum, 22.5 ml fresh lime juice, 22.5 ml sugar syrup, 6 leaves mint leaves, 2 dashes angostura bitters, 60 ml champagne or sparkling wine, garnished with mint leaf.
How strong is an Old Cuban?
About 14% ABV once mixed with ice, which is 2.0 Australian standard drinks per serve. That is about as strong as a glass of wine or lighter.
Should I shake or stir an Old Cuban?
Shake it. citrus, juice and cream need shaking to mix properly and gain a light, lively texture.
What glass do you serve an Old Cuban in?
A coupe, about 180 ml. Chill the glass first and serve without ice. No coupe? Use a martini glass or small wine glass.
