Old Cuban

The Old Cuban is a luxurious and modern twist on the Mojito, created in the early 2000s. It beautifully combines the rich, complex notes of aged rum with the zesty brightness of fresh lime juice and the cool aroma of mint. A touch of simple syrup provides balance, while Angostura bitters add a layer of aromatic spice. The drink is crowned with a float of Champagne, lending it an effervescent, celebratory character.
Old Cuban

Preparation

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Old Cuban is a cocktail celebrated as a Modern Classic. This category is reserved for drinks created in recent decades that have achieved widespread popularity and are considered staples in quality cocktail bars worldwide. It is a sophisticated, celebratory drink often served as an aperitif.

Serving

This is a moderately alcoholic cocktail served chilled, straight up (without ice) in a pre-chilled coupe or martini glass. The final volume is around 5 ounces, making it a standard-sized cocktail.
Serving size
Approximately 150 ml / 5 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 15-20% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

This cocktail was created by legendary mixologist Audrey Saunders in 2001 at the Pegu Club in New York City. Saunders sought to craft a more elegant and opulent version of the Mojito, drawing inspiration from Prohibition-era classics that often incorporated sparkling wine. The drink was an instant success, quickly spreading to cocktail bars around the globe and cementing its status as a modern classic.
Origin
New York City, USA, 2001.

Old Cuban

The drink is primarily known by its original name, the Old Cuban. It is sometimes referred to with attribution to its creator, as Audrey Saunders' Old Cuban, to distinguish it as a modern classic.
Original name
Old Cuban
Alternative name
Audrey Saunders' Old Cuban

Characteristics overview

The Old Cuban is characterized by a refreshing aroma of mint and lime, with a crisp, bubbly texture from the sparkling wine. Its flavor is a harmonious balance of sweet, sour, and the complexity of aged rum, finishing cleanly and refreshingly.
Flavor
Minty, citrusy, complex, rich, effervescent, slightly sweet, balanced
Aroma
Fresh mint, lime zest, aged rum, aromatic bitters
Taste balance
Sweet, sour
Aftertaste
Clean, refreshing, lingering mint, subtle rum warmth
Fizziness
Bubbly, sparkling, effervescent
Color appearance
Pale golden, light yellow, translucent, sparkling
Texture
Crisp, light, smooth, bubbly
Seasonality
Refreshing, summery, year-round celebration

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor profile is led by a noticeable sourness from lime, balanced by moderate sweetness, alcohol strength, and carbonation. Bitterness and spiciness from the bitters are subtle, enhancing complexity rather than dominating.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

The core components are aged rum, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, mint leaves, and Angostura bitters. The drink is finished with a topping of dry Champagne or another quality sparkling wine.
  • Aged Rum45 ml / 1.5 oz
    A quality aged rum (e.g., from Barbados or Cuba) is recommended for its complexity.
  • Fresh Lime Juice22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    Must be freshly squeezed for best results.
  • Simple Syrup15 ml / 0.5 oz
    Standard 1:1 ratio of sugar to water.
  • Angostura Aromatic Bitters2 dashes
    Essential for the drink's aromatic complexity.
  • Fresh Mint Leaves6 to 8 leaves
    Use fresh, vibrant leaves. Do not include stems.
  • ChampagneApproximately 60 ml / 2 oz, to top
    A dry (Brut) Champagne is classic, but a good quality Cava or Prosecco also works well.

Ice type

  • Cubed ice for shaking, served without ice in the glass.

Mixing equipments

You will need a standard cocktail shaker set, including a Hawthorne strainer and a fine-mesh strainer for double-straining. A jigger is necessary for measuring the ingredients accurately.
  • Cocktail shaker: for chilling and combining ingredients.
  • Hawthorne strainer: to hold back ice when pouring from the shaker.
  • Fine-mesh strainer: to double-strain and remove small mint fragments.
  • Jigger or measuring tool: for accurate liquid measurements.

Instructions

The process involves gently muddling mint with lime and syrup, shaking with rum and bitters, then double-straining into a chilled coupe. The final step is to top with Champagne and garnish with a mint sprig.
1. Chill your coupe or martini glass by filling it with ice or placing it in the freezer for a few minutes.
2. Place the mint leaves, lime juice, and simple syrup into your cocktail shaker. Gently muddle them to release the mint oils, but avoid shredding the leaves.
3. Add the aged rum and the dashes of Angostura bitters to the shaker.
4. Fill the shaker three-quarters full with cubed ice.
5. Secure the lid and shake vigorously for about 12-15 seconds, until the outside of the shaker is frosted and cold.
6. Empty the ice from your chilled glass. Double-strain the cocktail into the glass by pouring through both a Hawthorne strainer and a fine-mesh strainer.
7. Slowly top the drink with chilled Champagne or sparkling wine.
8. Garnish by floating a fresh mint sprig on top of the foam and serve immediately.

Garnishing

The cocktail is garnished simply with a single fresh mint sprig. This adds a beautiful aromatic quality as you bring the glass to your lips.
  • Mint Sprig: A fresh, vibrant mint sprig floated on the surface of the drink.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is naturally free from caffeine, dairy, eggs, nuts, and gluten. It is generally considered suitable for both vegetarian and vegan 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 moderate calorie count, around 200 kcal per serving. Its sugar content is relatively low, primarily coming from the simple syrup and the residual sugar in the sparkling wine.
Calories
Averagely 180-220 kcal / 750-920 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 10-15 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 8-12 g
Sugar level

Occasions

With its sparkling wine topping, the Old Cuban is perfectly suited for celebrations, special occasions, and festive gatherings. It also serves as an excellent and sophisticated aperitif to stimulate the appetite before a meal.
  • Celebration
  • Dinner Party
  • Aperitif
  • Special Occasion

Pairing suggestions

The Old Cuban's bright acidity and complex flavors pair excellently with a range of foods. It is a fantastic companion for light appetizers, especially seafood such as oysters or shrimp. Its Cuban roots also make it a great match for a classic Cuban sandwich or other flavorful canapés.
  • Light Appetizers
  • Oysters and Seafood
  • Cuban Sandwiches
  • Spicy Canapés

The Old Cuban: A Modern Classic's Sparkling Charm

The Old Cuban stands as a testament to modern mixology, an elegant evolution of the classic Mojito. Created by Audrey Saunders, this cocktail harmoniously blends the richness of aged rum with the vibrancy of fresh mint and lime, all elevated by the luxurious effervescence of Champagne. A dash of Angostura bitters adds aromatic depth, creating a drink that is both refreshing and complex. Perfect for celebrations or as a sophisticated starter, the Old Cuban is a balanced, beautiful, and deservedly iconic modern classic.