Cuba's cocktails - Recipes & Drinks

Travel tips and travelogues Caribbean

What would a holiday in the Caribbean be without a cosy evening with a delicious cocktail? Feel the relaxed flair of Latin America on sunny days and enjoy a cool cocktail; to ensure that you order a drink that suits your taste, we present a small selection of classic, but also unusual mixed drinks:

Most famous cocktails in Cuba

Cuba Libre

There are various theories about the origin of the Cuba Libre recipe. However, one particularly widespread story is that in the 20th century, after the liberation struggles, the freedom of Cuba from the colonial rulers was toasted - "Por Cuba libre!" is said to have been shouted by the freedom fighters; as a result, the slogan is said to have become the name for the Cuba Libre Original Cocktail. The mixed drink is made from rum, cola and lime and served chilled with ice cubes. Why not give it a try and take yourself back to times long past while savouring it?

Ingredients

  • 50 ml rum

  • 100 ml cola

  • ½ lime

  • ice cubes

Preparation

1. mix the juice of the lime with the remaining ingredients.

2. fill a glass with ice cubes and pour in the mixed drink - ready to enjoy.

Mojito

One of the top 10 best-selling cocktails in 2018, the mojito proves its popularity time and time again. Even the famous writer of the 1920s, Ernest Hemingway, regularly enjoyed his cool mojito in the Bar Bodeguita. One version of the origin story of this mixed drink can even be traced back to the author. He is said to have described the preparation of the cocktail to the bartender and pronounced the word "manojito" (here the mint sprig) as "mojito", thus establishing the name of the drink.

Mojito

Ingredients

  • 50 ml rum

  • 100 ml water

  • 3 tsp sugar

  • 1 lime

  • fresh mint

  • crushed ice

Preparation

1 Wash the lime and mint; cut the lime into eighths.

2 Place the sugar and lime in a glass and crush lightly with a cocktail muddler.

3 Add the rum and mint leaves.

4 Fill the glass halfway with crushed ice and add water. Stir everything again and garnish with a little mint.

Daiquiri

But it wasn't just the mojito that Hemingway was fond of, the writer also often treated himself to a delicious daiquiri in the Floridita bar. The mixed drink owes its name to the small town of Daiquiri near Santiago de Cuba. An iron mine engineer from the USA is said to have named the cocktail in honour of the Daiquiri mines.

Ingredients

  • 50 ml rum

  • 25 ml lime juice

  • 10 ml sugar syrup

Preparation

1. mix the ingredients in a cocktail shaker and divide into glasses accordingly.

Cuba Special - extraordinary cocktail recipes

Canchánchara

The canchanchara is unusual and typically Cuban. An original treat for the palate, the drink is said to have eased the slaves in the fields and plantations back in colonial times. According to another legend, the canchanchara was a source of warmth for underground fighters during the guerrilla war. According to this, it was drunk as a hot drink back then. Be that as it may, as a cool refreshing drink it remains a flavourful experience of Cuba's traditional culture.

Ingredients

  • 50 ml rum

  • 2 tsp honey

  • 20 ml lime juice

Preparation

1. mix the rum, lime juice and honey until the honey has dissolved.
2. pour the ice into a glass and add the drink mixture.

Saoco

The Saoco is a typical drink in Cuba, which is particularly appreciated for its tropical flavours and ease of preparation. Saoco has its roots in the Cuban countryside, where it was originally mixed as a simple, refreshing drink made from local rum and fresh coconut water to survive the heat of the Caribbean.

Ingredients

  • 50 ml rum

  • 100 ml coconut water

  • 25 ml lime juice

  • ice cubes

Preparation

1. Place the ice cubes in a glass and pour in the rum.
2. Add the coconut water and mix.
3. Finally, stir in the lime juice.

Crema de Vie

An eggnog-like drink that is a must at every celebration. As a rule, it is a homemade traditional speciality that is often toasted at festivities or brought as a thoughtful gift.

Ingredients

  • 1 tin of condensed milk

  • 1 cup sugar

  • ½ cup water

  • 3 egg yolks

  • 1 pinch of salt

  • ¾ cup rum

  • Vanilla, cinnamon or nutmeg

Preparation

1. mix the water and sugar over a low heat, stirring constantly, for about 3 minutes until the sugar has dissolved but not yet caramelised.
2. add the salt to the egg yolks and mix with the condensed milk.
3. add the rum and vanilla and mix for about 3 minutes in a blender
4. Chill the mixture for at least 3 hours.

Long drink

Havana Cola

Havana Cola is a simple, refreshing cocktail made with Cuban rum and cola. The drink combines the smooth sweetness of cola with the strong flavour of rum, often served with ice and a squeeze of lime. It is particularly popular for its uncomplicated preparation and is perfect for relaxed evenings or social gatherings.

Long drink

Havana Club Añejo 3 Años

A light-coloured Cuban rum that has matured for at least three years in oak barrels. It is characterised by its light, fruity flavour with notes of vanilla and tropical fruit.

Havana Club Añejo 7 Años

Is a dark golden rum from Cuba that has matured for seven years in oak barrels. It offers complex flavours of vanilla, caramel and roasted nuts, ideal for enjoying on its own or in high-quality cocktails.

Other rums

In addition to Havana Club, brands such as Santiago de Cuba, Ron Cubay, Legendario and Ron Varadero are also well-known. Each offers different styles of rum, from mild to intense, and reflects the tradition of Cuban rum.

Non-alcoholic - delicious refreshment, typically Cuban

Malta

Fancy a relaxed evening but want to avoid alcohol? Why not try Malta malt beer, which is very popular in Cuba. It has a sweet flavour and is sometimes even refined and sweetened with condensed milk.

History

Malt beer ("Malta") was brought to Cuba by European immigrants in the 19th century. It quickly became popular, mainly because of its nutritious character. Despite economic difficulties, Malta remained an important drink on the island and is still a symbol of Cuban tradition and resilience today.

Guarapo

Guarapo, a traditional Cuban drink made from freshly squeezed sugar cane juice, has its origins in colonial times, when sugar cane cultivation flourished on the island. Originally consumed by labourers as a source of energy, it developed into a popular, non-alcoholic thirst quencher that is appreciated for its natural sweetness and refreshing properties. Especially on hot days, Guarapo, served with plenty of ice, is a great way to cool down. If you still don't want to do without alcohol, you can add a little rum and enjoy the relaxed holiday atmosphere in Cuba.

Ingredients

  • Fresh sugar cane juice (approx. 500 ml)

  • Ice cubes

  • Lime juice (optional)

Preparation

1. extract fresh sugar cane juice (if not available, you can also use store-bought sugar cane juice).

2. strain the juice through a fine sieve to remove any residue.

3. pour the sugar cane juice into a glass and add a little lime juice to taste.

4. add ice cubes and serve immediately.

We wish you a relaxing time and a valuable flavour experience. Sample rum and other Cuban specialities and let Cuba seduce you with all your senses! With a deliciously refreshing drink on a sunny beach or in a cosy bar - what could be better? Cheers & Salud!

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