description Old Cuban Overview
The Old Cuban is a classic cocktail born in Havana’s Trylon Club. It traditionally features rum, dry vermouth, lemon juice, and orange bitters served up—without ice—to deliver a refined flavor. This drink appeals to those seeking a balanced, sophisticated spirit experience often enjoyed by bartenders and enthusiasts of traditional cocktails.
help Old Cuban FAQ
Was the Old Cuban really invented in Havana in the 1930s?
No, the modern Old Cuban is usually credited to bartender Audrey Saunders in New York around 2001. It is associated with the Pegu Club era of cocktail revival, not a 1936 Havana hotel drink.
What actually goes into an Old Cuban cocktail?
A standard Old Cuban uses aged rum, lime juice, simple syrup, mint, Angostura bitters, and Champagne or another dry sparkling wine. It is often described as a cross between a mojito and a French 75.
Should an Old Cuban be served over ice or straight up?
The drink is shaken with ice, strained, and served straight up in a coupe or cocktail glass. The sparkling wine is added after shaking so the Champagne keeps its bubbles.
What rum works best in an Old Cuban?
Most recipes call for aged rum rather than white rum because the oak and vanilla notes stand up to the mint and Champagne. A Cuban-style aged rum or a Barbados rum both fit the Audrey Saunders template better than dry vermouth or orange bitters.
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