Flor de Caña Cocktail

The Flor de Caña Cocktail is an elegant and simple rum-based drink that highlights the character of a good aged rum. It's a classic sour, combining the spirit with lime juice for tartness and crème de cacao for a unique, subtle sweetness. The result is a well-balanced, crisp, and surprisingly complex cocktail that is both refreshing and sophisticated.
Flor de Caña Cocktail

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

This is a classic cocktail belonging to the sour family of drinks. It is typically enjoyed as an aperitif or a refreshing sipper, valued for its simple yet elegant construction.

Serving

Served straight up in a chilled coupe or cocktail glass, this is a cold, moderately strong drink. The presentation is elegant and minimalist.
Serving size
Approx. 120-150 ml / 4-5 oz
Alcohol content
Approx. 20-25% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

While the exact origin is murky, the cocktail is named after the renowned Flor de Caña rum from Nicaragua. It likely emerged in the mid-20th century as a simple yet effective way to showcase the quality of this specific aged rum. The recipe appeared in Trader Vic's 1972 "Bartender's Guide," solidifying its place in the cocktail canon.
Origin
Likely Central America or the United States, mid-20th century. The cocktail's name strongly ties it to Nicaragua, the home of Flor de Caña rum.

Flor de Caña Cocktail

The name is straightforward, directly referencing the Nicaraguan rum brand Flor de Caña, which is the traditional base for this drink. It's sometimes spelled without the tilde ("n") as "Flor de Cana Cocktail".
Original name
Flor de Caña Cocktail
Alternative name
Flor de Cana Cocktail

Characteristics overview

It has a crisp, citrus-forward flavor with subtle notes of chocolate and oak from the rum. The texture is smooth and the finish is clean and refreshing.
Flavor
Rum, Lime, Subtle chocolate, Nutty, Crisp
Aroma
Citrus, Aged rum, Faint cocoa
Taste balance
Sour, Slightly sweet
Aftertaste
Clean, Tart, Short
Fizziness
Still
Color appearance
Pale straw, Light yellow, Translucent
Texture
Smooth, Silky
Seasonality
Refreshing, Summery, All-season

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is dominated by sourness from the lime, balanced by a subtle sweetness and the complex notes of the aged rum. It is a moderately strong but not overpowering drink.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This cocktail requires an aged rum, preferably Flor de Caña, along with fresh lime juice and white crème de cacao. A small amount of simple syrup can be added to balance the tartness.
  • Aged Nicaraguan Rum60 ml / 2 oz
    A dry, aged rum like Flor de Caña 4 or 7 Year works best.
  • Fresh Lime Juice22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    Must be freshly squeezed for best results.
  • White Crème de Cacao15 ml / 0.5 oz
    Use a quality white (clear) crème de cacao to maintain the drink's pale color.
  • Simple Syrup (1:1)7.5 ml / 0.25 oz(optional)
    Optional, adjust to taste depending on the sweetness of your liqueur and personal preference.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will need a standard cocktail shaker set, including a jigger for measuring and strainers for a clean, double-strained pour.
  • Cocktail shaker
  • Jigger or measuring tool
  • Hawthorne strainer
  • Fine mesh strainer

Instructions

The drink is made by shaking all ingredients with ice and double straining into a chilled coupe glass. Finish with a lime garnish.
1. Chill your coupe or cocktail glass by filling it with ice or placing it in the freezer.
2. Add the aged rum, fresh lime juice, white crème de cacao, and optional simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.
3. Fill the shaker with cubed ice.
4. Shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds until the outside of the shaker is well-chilled.
5. Discard the ice from your serving glass.
6. Double strain the mixture from the shaker into the chilled glass to remove any ice chips or lime pulp.
7. Garnish with a lime wheel or a lime twist.

Garnishing

A simple lime wheel or twist is the traditional garnish, complementing the drink's primary flavors and aroma.
  • Lime wheel or twist, placed on the rim or floating.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is generally free from common allergens like dairy, eggs, gluten, and nuts. It is suitable for both vegan and vegetarian diets.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This cocktail contains a moderate amount of calories and sugar, primarily from the liqueur and any added syrup. The carbohydrate content is also in the moderate range.
Calories
Averagely 180-220 kcal / 753-920 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 12-15 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 10-13 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This cocktail is perfect for warm weather occasions, serving as a refreshing pre-dinner aperitif or a sophisticated choice for happy hour. Its light and crisp profile makes it suitable for casual gatherings and summer parties.
  • Happy Hour
  • Summer Party
  • Pre-dinner Drink
  • Casual Get-together

Pairing suggestions

The cocktail's crisp, citrusy profile pairs well with light seafood dishes like ceviche and fish tacos. It also complements salty snacks such as plantain chips or simple grilled chicken.
  • Ceviche
  • Lightly spiced fish tacos
  • Plantain chips
  • Grilled chicken

The Flor de Caña Cocktail: A Taste of Nicaraguan Elegance

The Flor de Caña Cocktail is an underrated classic sour that balances aged rum with the tartness of lime and a subtle hint of chocolate from crème de cacao. It is crisp, refreshing, and easy to make, making it an excellent choice for a sophisticated aperitif or a summer sipper. Its elegance lies in its simplicity, offering a complex yet approachable flavor profile that deserves more recognition.

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