Classic Cuban Cocktails: A History Lesson

You can’t knock Cuba’s commitment to crafting top dollar cocktails. The country’s alcohol heritage is as vibrant and spirited (pardon the pun) as its culture; from Havana’s golden age of jazz bars to blissful beachside haunts, there’s no denying Cuban cocktails have shaped global mixology in ways few nations can match.

With favourites including the famous Hemingway Daiquiri to the zesty roots of the Mojito, the story of the island’s boozy beverages begins with one essential ingredient – rum.

The Beginnings: Rum, Revolution, and Refreshment

After Spanish colonists introduced sugarcane to the island in the 16th century, rum became an inevitable by-product of the booming sugar trade. By the 1800s, Cuban distilleries, like Bacardi, were perfecting light, refined rums that would soon become the heart of the country’s most iconic drinks.

These early rums were smoother and more versatile than the heavy, spiced varieties found elsewhere in the Caribbean, paving the way for an entirely new era of cocktail craftsmanship.

The Golden Age of Havana: 1920s–1950s

When the US entered Prohibition in 1920, thirsty Americans looked south, and Havana became their paradise. The glitz and glamour of the bars – such as El Floridita, Sloppy Joe’s, and La Bodeguita del Medio – buzzed with local music, laughter, and the clinking of cocktail shakers – not to mention approximately 56,000 American citizens eager to whet their whistle. In fact, one newspaper report stated that by February 1920, a dozen out-of-work bartenders were leaving Chicago every single day to find replacement work in Cuba.

It was during this period of time that legendary bartenders like Constantino Ribalaigua Vert created world-famous drinks, including the Floridita Special, while the Mojito and Cuba Libre also became symbols of island life, quite rightly. It was only once Ernest Hemingway famously declared, “My mojito in La Bodeguita, my daiquiri in El Floridita,” that these Cuban creations became firmly cemented in cocktail history.

Iconic Cuban Cocktail Menu

The Mojito – This traditional Cuban punch is a refreshing blend of white rum, lime juice, mint, sugar, and soda water, and is believed to have originated from a 16th century drink called El Draque – named after Sir Francis Drake. Today, this zingy citrus number remains a timeless summer staple, particularly in Havana.

The Daiquiri – With its name deriving from the town it originated in, the Daiquiri is a Cuban classic. A simple three-ingredient cocktail of rum, lime and sugar, this drink gained international fame thanks to El Floridita’s famous frozen version!

The Cuba Libre – Perhaps the simplest of all, this blend of rum, cola and lime (preferably over ice) was created around the time of Cuba’s independence from Spain in the early 1900s. Directly translating as “Free Cuba”, it represents a toast to freedom.

The Piña Colada’s Cousin, The Canchanchara – Lesser known than its famous cousin, the Canchanchara remains deeply traditional – and not just for its restorative properties. Made with honey, lime, and rum, this cocktail effortlessly blends sweet and sour to create a total taste sensation. But don’t just take our word for it…

Cuba’s Cocktail Legacy Lives On

Despite political and economic challenges over the decades, Cuba’s cocktail culture has (thankfully) remained a constant.

It’s with thanks to the many, many flocks of passionate US bartenders, that the island’s famed cocktails continue to be celebrated around the world today. But the important thing to remember the next time you order a Mojito at the bar, is that these cocktails are not just drinks plucked from a menu willy-nilly – they’re examples of living history, infused with rhythm, rebellion, romance – and a splash or two of rum, naturally.

So whether you’re sipping one of these classics on an atmospheric Havana rooftop or mixing a Daiquiri at your neighbour’s BBQ back home, you’re part of a story that began centuries ago…

Ready to taste the history?Plan your next trip to the island with Love Cuba and indulge in authentic Cuban cocktails in the heart of where they were born.