Cuba is known for producing some of the most popular cocktails and mixed drinks.
Most of the drinks in Cuba have a history and story behind them. Some drinks became famous due to specific individuals or bars, while others became famous in times after worldwide events.There are numerous Cuban drinks that you should try when visiting the Caribbean country, including cocktails and beer. Other drinks are more popular than others, depending on the history, but there are many Cuban cocktails that have become famous around the world.
Explore 12 Cuban cocktails, from mojitos and daiquiris to lesser-known drinks, with their ingredients and stories. A bonus section introduces Cristal beer for readers who prefer a beer to a mixed drink.
You can also order some of these popular drinks at your local bar.
1. Cuba Libre
Cuba Libre
A Cuba Libre, also known as a Cubata, is one of the most popular Cuban drinks.
The history of a Cuba Libre, translated “free Cuba”, goes back to the 1900s, and it became extremely popular after World War II.
A key ingredient is coca cola, so some say the Cuban Libre became even more famous after the export of coca cola from the United States to Cuba began.
The Cuba Libre drink is made up of:
- White rum
- Lime
- Coca cola
All ingredients are mixed and poured over ice cubes.
The Cubata is a little different in that it contains dark rum instead of white rum, but many Cubans drink it with white rum.
Simply put, you can call it rum and coke. It is recommended that you should try to use Mexican coke and Cuban rum for the best taste.
2. Mojito
Mojito Cuban Cocktail
Whether or not you’ve ever visited Cuba, it’s still quite likely that you’ve heard of the mojito. But do you know what it is?
The mojito is a highball cocktail made of lime juice, sugar, fresh mint, and rum served over ice and topped with soda water.
It is a distinctly Cuban drink that is now enjoyed around the world, particularly in hot climates where a light, refreshing drink is needed.
3. Cubanito
If you love a bloody mary, then the Cubanito is the drink for you.
A Cubanito is similar to the traditional bloody mary in many ways, but it uses rum rather than vodka!
The ingredients also include tomato and lime juice, but you can also add Worcestershire sauce or hot sauce if you please.
In Cuba, a Cubanito drink is served as an appetizer at house parties.
Like the United States, it is also a cocktail that is popular in the mornings.
4. Daiquiri
Daiquiri
The Daiquiri is a famous Cuban drink that can be served alcoholic and non-alcoholic.
It was invented in eastern Cuba, starting out as a punch mixture of:
- White rum
- Lemon juice
- Sugar
- Ice
In the 1930s, the phenomenon began when the famous Floridita Bar in Havana created the frozen Daiquiri.
It has become famous around the world, as these days you can get a classic daiquiri drink at pretty much any bar.
This cocktail drink comes in various fruit flavors, depending on what you are in the mood for.
5. El Presidente
A classic Cuban cocktail drink, the El Presidente has been crafted since the 1900s in bars throughout the country.
The drink is named after Mario Garcia Menocal, who was the president of Cuba from 1913 to 1921.
There is another opposing story that the El Presidente cocktail was named after Gerardo Machado, president from 1925 to 1933.
You will find that many things that are a part of Cuba’s history are often contested!
The El Presidente concoction is made up of the following ingredients:
- Havana Club White rum
- Dry vermouth
- Orange curacao
- Grenadine
6. Hemingway Daiquiri
The Hemingway Daiquiri is a classic Cuban cocktail that is named after the famous American author, Ernest Hemingway.
It is a variation of the traditional Daiquiri, which is made with aged rum, lime juice and simple syrup.
However, the Hemingway Daiquiri is made with grapefruit juice and maraschino liqueur.
It is typically served shaken and strained into a chilled cocktail glass and garnished with a wedge of lime.
Hemingway was known to be a huge fan of this classic cocktail and would often order it at the El Floridita bar in Havana, Cuba, where it originated.
7. Canchánchara
Canchánchara is a lesser-known Cuban cocktail and perhaps the oldest Cuban cocktail dating back to the 19th century.
It is said to have originated in the town of Trinidad, where it was a popular drink among soldiers fighting for Cuban independence during the Spanish American war.
The drink is made with just three ingredients: aguardiente (a type of rum), honey and lime juice.
Unlike other rum-based cocktails, Canchánchara is typically served hot, making it the perfect drink on a chilly night.
Canchánchara’s sweet and tangy flavor and warm and comforting qualities have made it a favorite among Cubans and visitors alike.
It remains an important part of Cuban cocktail culture to this day.
8. Culto a la Vida
Culto a la Vida, which translates to “cult of life,” is not only a delicious Cuban cocktail but it also represents the Cuban spirit of joy and passion for life.
This vibrant and colorful latin drink combines a variety of flavors.
Culto a la Vida ingredients include fresh lime juice, mint leaves, pineapple juice and white rum. When combined together they create a perfect balance of sweet and sour.
The Cuban cocktail is typically served over ice in a tall glass and garnished with a slice of pineapple.
Commonly a sprig of mint is added, giving it an extra touch of elegance.
9. Cojito
Cojito is a another popular Cuban cocktail that has gained popularity around the world.
This sweet and creamy island drink is made by blending together native white rum, coconut cream, fresh lime juice and mint leaves, creating a tropical flavor explosion that is perfect for any occasion.
The addition of soda water gives the Cuban drink a refreshing fizz and the garnish of fresh mint and a lime wedge adds a beautiful visual finishing touch.
10. Saoco
Saoco is a traditional Cuban cocktail that is believed to have originated in the eastern region of the island country.
This simple yet delicious alcoholic drink is made by combining coconut water, white rum and a splash of lime juice, creating a refreshing and slightly sweet flavor.
The simple cocktail is often served in a hollowed-out coconut shell, adding to its island vibe and enhancing the coconut flavor of the rum drink.
11. Cuban Ginger
The Cuban Ginger is another one of the classic Cuban cocktails that captures the flavors of the Caribbean island.
This traditional drink is made by combining white rum, fresh ginger, lime juice and simple syrup, creating an ideal balance of sweet and spicy flavors.
The must-have addition of fresh mint leaves adds an extra layer of aroma to the refreshing drink.
The Cuban Ginger cocktail is typically served over ice cubes in a highball glass and garnished with a lime wedge and mint leaves.
12. Old Cuban Cocktail
The Old Cuban has become a favorite among cocktail enthusiasts around the world.
It’s a sophisticated cocktail made by combining aged rum, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, bitters and sparkling wine, producing an excellent balance of sweet, sour and bitter flavors.
Traditionally, Cuban bartenders will serve the Old Cuban in a martini glass and garnish it with a mint sprig and/or a lime wheel.
The Old Cuban is a must-try for anyone looking to explore the world of the best Cuban cocktails.
Bonus: Cristal Cuban Beer
Cristal is the official and most popular beer in Cuba, produced in the city of Holguin.
This light beer is refreshing for those intensely hot days in Cuba. It has a fruity and sweet taste to it that makes the drink easy to enjoy.
You can pair the beer with popular Cuban dishes, such as seafood, to really bring out the flavor. If beer is your thing, then other recommendations in Cuba include Bucanero, Mayabe, and Hatuey.
Final Cuban Cocktail Thoughts
Cuban cocktails are an important part of the country’s culture.
From the classic Mojito to the lesser-known but equally delicious Canchánchara, each drink tells a story and reflects the unique blend of Spanish, African and Caribbean influences that make up Cuban identity.
Whether you’re sipping a cocktail at a local bar in Havana or mixing one up at home, exploring the world of delicious Cuban cocktails is sure to be a memorable experience.
So grab a bottle of Cuban rum, some fresh limes and get ready to taste a piece of Cuban history with every sip. Salud!
Sources
- Amigo Foods Blog: Latin Beers: The Best Cervezas of Each Latin American Country
- Draft Mag: Cerveza Palma Cristal (Cuba) Review: A Complete Guide to This Brew
- Drink Existence: El Presidente Cocktail
- Bacon Is Magic: 21 Classic Cuban Drinks to Share the Country’s History
- Lacademie: 21+ Most Popular Cuban Drinks To Quench Your Thirst 2023
- Cuba News: The Cuba Libre
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Jorge Garcia is the founder of AmigoFoods, where he has spent over 20 years helping readers discover authentic Latin American and Spanish cuisine. Raised in a Cuban-American household, Jorge learned to cook at the hands of his mother and grandmother, carrying forward generations of family recipes. That heritage, backed by his family’s four-generation history in the Latin food industry, inspired him to launch AmigoFoods in 2003. With more than 1,000 published articles on recipes, ingredients, and food culture, Jorge’s mission is simple: make authentic Latin cooking approachable for home cooks everywhere while honoring the traditions behind every dish.