Maid in Cuba

The Maid in Cuba is a contemporary cocktail that offers a sophisticated twist on familiar Cuban flavors. It masterfully combines white rum, fresh lime, mint, and muddled cucumber for a supremely refreshing experience. A rinse or dash of absinthe adds an intriguing layer of aromatic complexity, with the entire drink being lightened by a splash of soda water, creating a perfectly balanced and elegant long drink.
Maid in Cuba

Preparation

Preparation time: 4 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Maid in Cuba is considered a Modern Classic cocktail, belonging to the "Maid" family of drinks. It's served as a long drink in a Highball glass, making it refreshing and sessionable.

Serving

Serve this crisp, cold cocktail in a chilled highball glass to maintain its refreshing character. With a moderate alcohol content, it's a perfect long drink for relaxed sipping.
Serving size
Approximately 180-240 ml / 6-8 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 12-15% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Highball
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

Created by bartender Tom Walker at the prestigious American Bar at The Savoy in London, this drink was his winning entry for the 2014 Bacardi Legacy cocktail competition. It's a tribute to the classic Cuban Mojito and the "Maid" family of cocktails, which typically feature mint and cucumber. The name is a clever play on this heritage, referencing its Cuban spirit base and its place within the Maid category of cocktails.
Origin
London, United Kingdom, 2014. Created by Tom Walker.

Maid in Cuba

The drink is consistently known by its original name, "Maid in Cuba," and does not have any widely recognized alternative names.
Original name
Maid in Cuba

Characteristics overview

This cocktail is defined by its fresh, herbal aroma of mint and cucumber, with a crisp, light, and slightly bubbly texture. The flavor is a clean balance of tart lime and gentle sweetness, finishing with a lingering herbal note.
Flavor
Refreshing, herbal, crisp, vegetal, zesty, hint of anise
Aroma
Mint, fresh cucumber, lime, subtle licorice
Taste balance
Sour, slightly sweet
Aftertaste
Clean, crisp, herbal
Fizziness
Lightly effervescent
Color appearance
Pale green, slightly cloudy, translucent
Texture
Light, crisp, bubbly
Seasonality
Extremely refreshing, summery

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is led by a refreshing sourness from lime, balanced by light sweetness and herbal notes, with a low alcohol presence and gentle carbonation.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This cocktail requires a base of white rum, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup, with fresh cucumber and mint for its signature flavor. A touch of absinthe adds complexity, and it's all topped with soda water.
  • White Rum50 ml / 1.75 oz
    A good quality Cuban-style white rum is recommended.
  • Lime Juice25 ml / 0.75 oz
    Freshly squeezed is essential for the best flavor.
  • Simple Syrup15 ml / 0.5 oz
    1:1 ratio of sugar to water. Adjust to taste.
  • Cucumber3 thick slices
    Muddle gently to release flavor without bitterness.
  • Mint Leaves6-8 leaves
    Press lightly or clap in hands to release oils before adding to the shaker.
  • Absinthe2 dashes or a rinse
    Provides a subtle aromatic complexity. Do not overdo it.
  • Soda WaterTop up (approx. 50 ml / 1.75 oz)
    Use chilled soda water to maintain fizziness and temperature.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will need a cocktail shaker and a muddler to prepare the base. For serving, both a Hawthorne strainer and a fine-mesh strainer are required for a clean, professional result.
  • Cocktail shaker for chilling and combining ingredients.
  • Muddler for gently pressing the cucumber.
  • Hawthorne strainer to hold back ice from the shaker.
  • Fine-mesh strainer to remove small bits of mint and cucumber for a smooth texture.

Instructions

The process involves muddling cucumber, shaking all ingredients (except soda) with ice, and then double straining into an ice-filled highball glass. The drink is finished with a splash of soda water and garnished.
1. Place the cucumber slices and simple syrup in the bottom of a cocktail shaker and muddle gently to extract the juice.
2. Add the mint leaves, rum, lime juice, and absinthe to the shaker. Fill the shaker with cubed ice.
3. Shake vigorously for about 10-12 seconds until well-chilled.
4. Fill a chilled highball glass with fresh cubed ice and add your cucumber ribbon garnish if using.
5. Double strain the contents of the shaker into the prepared glass. Top with chilled soda water.
6. Gently stir to integrate, then garnish with a fresh mint sprig.

Garnishing

Garnish with a fragrant sprig of mint and an elegant cucumber ribbon lining the inside of the glass to enhance the drink's fresh aroma and appearance.
  • Mint Sprig: A fresh, vibrant sprig of mint, clapped between your hands to release its aroma before placing in the drink.
  • Cucumber Ribbon: A long, thin ribbon of cucumber placed inside the glass for visual appeal.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is naturally free from common allergens such as dairy, eggs, nuts, soy, and gluten. 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 has a relatively low calorie count, with its sugar content coming primarily from the simple syrup. Carbohydrates are moderate, making it a lighter cocktail choice.
Calories
Averagely 160-190 kcal / 670-795 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 10-13 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 9-12 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This cocktail's refreshing and elegant profile makes it perfect for warm weather occasions like summer parties, garden gatherings, and brunches. It's also an excellent choice for a pre-dinner aperitif or a sophisticated cocktail hour.
  • Summer Party
  • Brunch
  • Afternoon Sipping
  • Cocktail Hour

Pairing suggestions

The cocktail's fresh, herbal, and citrusy profile pairs beautifully with light and fresh foods. It complements seafood dishes like ceviche or grilled fish, fresh summer salads, and can even cut through the richness of a classic Cuban sandwich.
  • Light Seafood Dishes
  • Ceviche
  • Fresh Salads
  • Cuban Sandwiches

The Maid in Cuba: A Modern Refreshment

The Maid in Cuba is a superb example of a modern classic cocktail that is both complex and incredibly refreshing. It builds upon the familiar DNA of a Mojito but elevates it with the cool, vegetal notes of cucumber and a sophisticated aromatic whisper of absinthe. The result is a perfectly balanced, crisp, and herbaceous long drink that is ideal for summer sipping. Its award-winning pedigree is a testament to its clever construction and delightful flavor profile.

Similar Cocktails

Mojito

A direct ancestor; omits the cucumber and absinthe for a more straightforward rum, lime, and mint profile.

Southside

A classic relative typically made with gin instead of rum and served "up" in a coupe without soda water.

Old Cuban

A more decadent cousin, using aged rum, Angostura bitters, and topped with Champagne instead of soda water.

Variations

Kentucky Maid

A member of the same cocktail family, but uses bourbon as the base spirit instead of rum.

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