CLASSIC · FRESH MINT LEAVES

Old Cuban

Name: Old Cuban
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 1 drink
Cuisine: Cocktail
Ingredients: 6 Fresh Mint Leaves; 45 ml Aged Rum; 22.5 ml Fresh Lime Juice; 30 ml Simple Syrup; 4 dashes Angostura Bitters; 60 ml Brut Champagne or Prosecco; Mint Sprig Garnish

A sophisticated fusion of mojito elegance and champagne luxury, the Old Cuban was created by Audrey Saunders at Bemelmans Bar in New York City.

Ingredients

Fresh Mint Leaves6

Aged Rum45 ml

Fresh Lime Juice22.5 ml

Simple Syrup30 ml

Angostura Bitters4 dashes

Brut Champagne or Prosecco60 ml

Mint Sprig Garnish

Glassware

Cocktail Glass

Chilled.

Flavor

Caramel · Honey · Lime · Mint · Vanilla

Estimated profile

A cigar alongside More like this

Method

1
Add the mint leaves and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker and gently muddle to release the mint oils.
2
Add the aged rum, fresh lime juice, and Angostura bitters.
3
Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 10–12 seconds.
4
Double-strain through a fine mesh strainer into a chilled cocktail glass.
5
Top with Brut Champagne or Prosecco.
6
Garnish with a fresh mint sprig.

From the Bartender

Double-straining is essential here - it removes all mint fragments and ice chips, ensuring a silky, clear pour that lets the Champagne bubbles rise cleanly. Audrey Saunders created this cocktail around 2001, and it has since become a modern classic.

Rating

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