The Old Cuban
Updated December 22, 2020
Axel Koester for The New York Times
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Ingredients
6 mint leaves, plus the tip of a mint sprig for garnish
¾ ounce (1 ½ tablespoons) lime juice
1 ounce (2 tablespoons) simple syrup, see note
1 ½ ounces (3 tablespoons) amber rum
1 or 2 dashes Angostura bitters
2 ounces Champagne
1 lime slice
Nutritional analysis per serving
25 grams carbs; 230 calories; 20 milligrams sodium; 22 grams sugar
Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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Preparation
- Step 1
Gently bruise the mint with lime juice in a shaker using a muddler or wooden spoon. Add syrup, rum, bitters and a big handful of ice, and shake until well chilled. Strain into a coupe or cocktail glass and add Champagne.
- Step 2
With a knife, slit the lime slice halfway through and pierce it with the mint sprig. Perch it on the rim of the glass.
To make simple syrup, combine equal measures of sugar and boiling water in a small jar. Seal jar, wrap it in a towel and shake well until sugar dissolves. Syrup keeps, refrigerated, up to 2 weeks.
Private Notes
Comments
There are quite a few versions of this cocktail. My favorite is from The Roosevelt Room. The original, I have read, was garnished with a sugared vanilla pod. Few of us would go to that expense. The Roosevelt Room compensates by adding a dash of vanilla extract. That little adjustment gives the cocktail an ineffable exotic note. Also, I generally use citrus and simple syrup in a 1:1 ratio. This cocktail benefits from that adjustment.
Very good. Make sure you get a relatively dry champagne, or else take a bit off the simple syrup
De-lish cocktail! Used light agave because it was on hand, and reversed lime/ sweet amounts, per this household’s sweetness preference. I will keep this in mind when craving a rum cocktail (currently have Flor de Caña).
Too sweet for my Australian palate - I upped the lime and reduced the sugar. Topped with lovely dry Aus sparkling wine perfect for NYE 2023.
Fabulous drink. I used Bacardi Ocho, prosecco, and some thyme-infused simple syrup left over from another cocktail recipe. Don’t know if that helped, but it sure didn’t hurt.