Havana Special

The Havana Special is a delightful and refreshing taste of old Cuba, embodying the island's vibrant cocktail culture. It is a simple yet elegant blend of light rum, fresh pineapple juice, and a touch of maraschino liqueur. The result is a beautifully balanced drink that is less tart than a Daiquiri but more complex than a simple rum and juice, with the maraschino adding a subtle floral and nutty depth. It's a fantastic introduction to the world of classic Cuban rum cocktails.
Havana Special

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Havana Special is a classic cocktail that belongs to the sour and tiki-adjacent categories. Its tropical profile makes it a refreshing choice, firmly placing it among historical Cuban rum drinks.

Serving

Serve this moderately strong, cold cocktail in a chilled coupe or cocktail glass for an elegant presentation. The drink is served 'up' without ice in the glass.
Serving size
Approximately 125 ml / 4.25 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 18-20% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

The Havana Special hails from the golden age of Cuban cocktails during the 1920s and 30s. As American tourists flocked to Havana to escape Prohibition, the city's bars flourished, creating countless classic recipes. This drink was one such creation, featured in cocktail manuals of the era like the 1935 "Sloppy Joe's Bar Cocktail Manual," cementing its place in cocktail history.
Origin
This cocktail originated in Havana, Cuba, during the Prohibition era of the 1920s-1930s. It was created to cater to the tastes of American tourists seeking well-crafted alcoholic beverages.

Havana Special

The drink is primarily known as the Havana Special. It is sometimes referred to more simply as the Havana Cocktail, highlighting its city of origin and classic status.
Original name
Havana Special
Alternative name
Havana Cocktail

Characteristics overview

This drink has a sweet, fruit-forward flavor profile dominated by pineapple with a clean finish. Its pale yellow appearance and smooth texture make it a highly refreshing and summery cocktail.
Flavor
Pineapple, Rum, Sweet, Fruity, Nutty
Aroma
Tropical, Fruity, Hint of cherry
Taste balance
Sweet, Slightly sour
Aftertaste
Clean, Fruity, Short
Fizziness
None
Color appearance
Pale yellow, Translucent, Slightly cloudy
Texture
Smooth, Light-bodied
Seasonality
Refreshing, Summery

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is intensely fruity and sweet, with a moderate alcohol presence and a touch of balancing sourness. There is no carbonation, saltiness, or spice in this smooth tropical drink.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

To create a Havana Special, you will need light rum as the base, fresh pineapple juice, and a small amount of maraschino liqueur for complexity.
  • Light Rum60 ml / 2 oz
    A good quality Cuban or Puerto Rican style light rum is recommended.
  • Pineapple Juice60 ml / 2 oz
    Freshly pressed pineapple juice is highly recommended for the best flavor.
  • Maraschino Liqueur5 ml / 1 Barspoon
    Use a high-quality maraschino liqueur like Luxardo for its authentic nutty and floral notes.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will need standard bar tools for this shaken cocktail: a cocktail shaker, a jigger for measuring, and a strainer.
  • Cocktail shaker to chill and combine the ingredients
  • Jigger for accurate measurement
  • Strainer to pour the drink without ice

Instructions

This drink is made by shaking all ingredients with ice until well-chilled. It is then strained into a chilled coupe glass and garnished.
1. Chill your coupe glass by filling it with ice or placing it in the freezer for a few minutes.
2. Add the light rum, pineapple juice, and maraschino liqueur 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 chilled coupe glass.
6. Double-strain the contents of the shaker into the chilled glass to remove ice shards.
7. Garnish with a pineapple wedge on the rim or a maraschino cherry.

Garnishing

Garnish this cocktail simply with a small wedge of fresh pineapple on the glass rim or by dropping a single maraschino cherry into the finished drink.
  • Pineapple wedge on the rim of the glass
  • Maraschino cherry dropped into the drink

Dietary Information

This cocktail is naturally free from common allergens like dairy, eggs, soy, and nuts. It is typically gluten-free and vegan, but it's always wise to check the specific brands of rum and liqueur used.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

The Havana Special is moderately caloric, with its calories and sugar primarily coming from the pineapple juice and alcohol content.
Calories
Averagely 180-220 kcal / 753-920 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 15-20 grams
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 14-18 grams
Sugar level

Occasions

This cocktail is perfect for warm weather occasions like summer parties, barbecues, or relaxing by the pool. Its refreshing and tropical nature also makes it an excellent choice for happy hour or as a pre-dinner aperitif.
  • Summer party
  • Poolside lounging
  • Happy hour
  • Tropical themed event

Pairing suggestions

The tropical and sweet profile of the Havana Special pairs wonderfully with light seafood, classic Cuban fare, and salty or spicy appetizers. Its refreshing character helps to cut through rich or fried foods, making it a versatile companion for a variety of small plates and snacks.
  • Light seafood dishes like ceviche or grilled shrimp
  • Cuban sandwiches
  • Salty snacks like plantain chips
  • Spicy appetizers

Havana Special: A Taste of Classic Cuba

The Havana Special is a classic rum cocktail that offers a taste of Cuban history in a glass. It's an effortlessly elegant drink, balancing the sweetness of pineapple with the clean profile of light rum and a complex hint of maraschino liqueur. Simple to make yet sophisticated in flavor, it's a refreshing, tropical escape that's perfect for warm weather and celebratory moments. This cocktail is a must-try for fans of rum and classic recipes.

Similar cocktails

Mary Pickford

A similar classic Cuban cocktail that uses pineapple juice and maraschino liqueur but adds grenadine for color and extra sweetness.

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