Cuban Old Fashioned co*cktail Recipe (2024)

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Published on by Jamie Silva

An old fashioned co*cktail recipe with a caffeine kick! This Cuban Old Fashioned is made with Cuban coffee, bitters, bourbon with a twist of citrus rind.

Cuban Old Fashioned co*cktail Recipe (1)

I’m no co*cktail connoisseur but when I find a drink I like, I’m ordering it everywhere I go and/or recreating it at home.

Case in point:Guava Basil Moscow Mule (see also:Italian Limoncello Margarita)

Inspired by one of my favorite restaurants here in Miami that I’ve spoken about on this blog multiple times, FINKA, this Cuban Old Fashioned is the perfect marriage of Cuban espresso and the ultimate classic old fashioned co*cktail. If you’re a bourbon lover, this co*cktail is for you. And if you’re a coffee lover, this recipe will impress you.

Here’s how you bring this Cuban Old Fashioned to life!

Cuban Old Fashioned co*cktail Recipe (2)

How To Make A Cuban Old Fashioned co*cktail

For this co*cktail, I used Old Forester 86 Proof Bourbon because of its bold yet smooth taste. Using this bourbon paired with the espresso simple syrup made for a strong, nutty, slightly spicy and sweet co*cktail. Any bourbon works however so feel free to use your favorite one here. If you prefer not to use Cuban coffee, any strong brewed espresso works! You can even use cold brew coffee. ;)

  1. Make the espresso simple syrup. Combine sugar and brewed espresso in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, until the sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from heat. Transfer to a container and let cool completely. You can even make this the day before serving and keep the rest in the fridge for future occasions.
  2. Make the co*cktail. Place a large square ice cube or ice ball in a whiskey glass. Pour the espresso simple syrup and bitters. Stir to combine then pour the bourbon. Garnish with an orange peel. Enjoy!

That’s all folks!

Cheers!

Cuban Old Fashioned co*cktail Recipe

4.89 from 9 votes

By: Jamie Silva

An old fashioned co*cktail recipe with a caffeine kick! This Cuban Old Fashioned is made with Cuban coffee, bitters, bourbon with a twist of citrus rind.

PRINT RECIPE SAVE RECIPE

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Course Drinks

Cuisine American, Cuban

Ingredients

Cuban Espresso Simple Syrup

  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup hot brewed Cuban espresso (any strong brewed espresso works!)

Cuban Old Fashioned

  • 2 ounces Cuban espresso simple syrup
  • 3 dashes orange Angostura bitters
  • 1 ounce bourbon (I used Old Forester Bourbon 86 Proof)
  • orange peel

Instructions

  • Combine sugar and espresso in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, until the sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from heat. Transfer to a container and let cool completely. Set aside.

  • Place a large square ice cube or ice ball in a whiskey glass. Pour the espresso simple syrup and bitters then pour the bourbon. Garnish with an orange peel. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 1 drinkCalories: 222 kcalCarbohydrates: 22 gSodium: 17 mgSugar: 21 gIron: 1 mg

Did You Make This?I want to know! below or tag @asassyspoon on social media!

You may also like:

  • Guava Basil Moscow Mule
  • Italian Limoncello Margarita
  • Spicy Tequila Watermelon Punch
  • Smoky Michelada Beer co*cktail

Cuban Old Fashioned co*cktail Recipe (4)

JAMIE SILVA
Miami native, first-generation Cuban-American, and the founder, recipe developer, and food photographer behind A Sassy Spoon. Since 2016, Jamie has been developing recipes inspired by her rich Cuban heritage and Latin-inspired recipes influenced by her hometown of Miami.

Cuban Old Fashioned co*cktail Recipe (5)Cuban Old Fashioned co*cktail Recipe (6)Cuban Old Fashioned co*cktail Recipe (7)

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Comments

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  1. Ian says

    Cuban Old Fashioned co*cktail Recipe (8)
    Hi, just want to confirm the measurements for the co*cktail. Is it 2 oz Espresso Syrup + 1 oz Bourbon or 2 oz Bourbon + 1 oz Espresso syrup? The former (what’s listed) seams like a lot of syrup. Delicious either way.
    Cheers.

    Reply

    • Jamie Silva says

      Feel free to adjust the syrup to your preference, Ian! :)

      Reply

  2. Enrique says

    Cuban Old Fashioned co*cktail Recipe (9)
    Looked up this recipe after visiting FINKA and sure enough the author references the restaurant as well. The Cuban Old Fashioned is absolutely delicious. FINKA used Basil Hayden during our visit but Old Forester is another excellent bourbon.

    Reply

Cuban Old Fashioned co*cktail Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the official co*cktail of Cuba? ›

“The national drink of Cuba celebrating its independence. There's more to it than just cola, rum and lime; it's the way you make it. ”

What is the difference between a mojito and an old Cuban co*cktail? ›

Inspired by the popular mojito, you'll notice some similar flavours and ingredients between both drinks. The Old Cuban replaces white rum with aged, adds a few dashes of angostura bitters and is topped with sparkling wine for a little effervescence. The result is a refreshing summer co*cktail for easy sipping.

Where did the old Cuban co*cktail come from? ›

The Old Cuban was created by Saunders in 2001, while she was working at a midtown restaurant called Beacon and the co*cktail renaissance was just beginning.

Why is it called old fashioned co*cktail? ›

“The Old-Fashioned was an evolution of the Whiskey co*cktail which was simply whiskey, sugar, bitters, and water, and was served as early as 1800 or so.” It wasn't until the 1870s and 1880s that when bartenders “began adding embellishments to their Whiskey co*cktails, some customers rebelled against the innovations,” as ...

What is the most famous Cuban drink? ›

The Cuba Libre, meaning “Free Cuba,” is one of the most popular Cuban co*cktails in existence, along with the classic Daiquiri and the Mojito. While the combination of rum, co*ke and lime may seem simple, within those three ingredients lies a synergy that has pleased palates for over a century.

What is the most popular alcohol in Cuba? ›

For Cubans, rum is personal. The spirit is a core part of Cuba's national identity and has, along with cigars, fueled the country's economy for decades.

What is the difference between French 75 and Old Cuban? ›

Both the French 75 and the Mojito are fresh and radiant—the former is bright exuberance, a firework contained in a glass, and the latter is practically made of sunshine. Not so with the Old Cuban. The Old Cuban is darker, more complex, a meditative and ultimately more seductive drink.

What is a Cuban co*cktail of white rum and lime juice called? ›

Mojito (/moʊˈhiːtoʊ/; Spanish: [moˈxito]) is a traditional Cuban punch. The co*cktail often consists of five ingredients: white rum, sugar (traditionally sugar cane juice), lime juice, soda water, and mint.

What is America's oldest co*cktail? ›

The famed Sazerac Coffee House was founded in New Orleans in 1850 and soon became known as the home of “America's First co*cktail,” the Sazerac. Using rye whiskey (in place of French brandy), a dash of Peychaud's Bitters, and Herbsaint, what eventually became the official co*cktail of New Orleans was created.

What is the oldest known co*cktail? ›

What was the first ever co*cktail? Accounts differ, but most experts agree that the first co*cktail was the Sazerac, a blend of whisky, absinthe, bitters and sugar. Created in New Orleans in the mid-1800s, this is one of the first co*cktails recognisable by name and remains a favourite to this day.

What is in Angostura bitters? ›

Angostura Style Aromatic Bitters Recipe
  • 1 Teaspoon gentian root.
  • 1/4 Cup cinchona bark, chopped.
  • 1/2 Cup whole cloves.
  • 1/4 Cup whole cardamom.
  • 6-8 Sticks of cinnamon.
  • 2 Tablespoons whole allspice berries.
  • 400 ml or 13.5 oz of Everclear (or grain liquor)
  • 2 to 4 cups of water for dilution.

Why is a co*cktail called dirty? ›

DIRTY. For those who like their co*cktails to have a savoury edge, the Dirty Martini is a delicious, slightly salty, choice. The term 'dirty' means that olive brine, usually from a jar of co*cktail olives, has been added to the drink.

Can you use orange bitters in an Old Fashioned? ›

So if you like a brighter, less baking spice flavor for your Old Fashioned, orange bitters might be just what you need. There's also no reason you shouldn't use two different bitters to get exactly what you're looking for.

Is mojito the national drink of Cuba? ›

The drink remained the same until around 1862, when Barcardi rum was created. Soon, people started to substitute the guarapo ingredient with rum, and the mojito as we know it was born. The mojito then went on to slowly become a Cuban national drink and one of the world's most celebrated alcoholic beverages.

Why is the co*cktail called Cuba Libre? ›

As the story goes, in the year 1900, a captain in the U.S. Army stationed in Havana during the Spanish-American War poured Coca-Cola and a squeeze of lime into his Bacardí and toasted his Cuban comrades by calling out in the bar, “Por Cuba Libre!” (“To a free Cuba!”).

What do the locals drink in Cuba? ›

What to eat & drink in Cuba? Top 9 Cuban Beverages
  • Coffee (Beverage) Café Cubano. CUBA. shutterstock. ...
  • co*cktail. Mojito. CUBA. shutterstock. ...
  • Sugarcane Juice. Guarapo. CUBA. ...
  • co*cktail. Daiquiri. Santiago de Cuba Province. ...
  • co*cktail. Frozen Daiquiri. Havana. ...
  • co*cktail. Cuba Libre. Havana. ...
  • co*cktail. Cojito. CUBA. ...
  • co*cktail. Bacardi. CUBA.

What is a Cuba Libre made of? ›

The Cuba Libre perfectly captures the independent spirit of BACARDÍ. Mix BACARDÍ Gold rum with cola and lime juice in a highball glass. Finish with a lime wedge and drink a toast to freedom.

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