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Cocktail History
The El Presidente is a classic rum cocktail that was created in Havana, Cuba in the early 1900s and named for Mario García Menocal, Cuba’s president from 1913 to 1921. It’s traditionally made with white rum, dry vermouth, citrus, and grenadine, and it became all the rage among Americans during Prohibition when they traveled to Cuba to enjoy mixed drinks while they were outlawed in the states.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
White Rum: This is the base spirit. We used BACARDÍ Superior White Rum for its soft and sweet taste that pairs well with fruity ingredients without overpowering them.
Dry Vermouth: This is a fortified wine that adds sweetness. We used Dolin Dry Vermouth de Chambéry because it’s light and airy.
Triple Sec: This is an orange liqueur. It adds sweet citrus flavors that balance out the other dry ingredients. We went with Cointreau because it’s one of the highest quality triple secs on the market.
Grenadine: This is a sweetener made with pomegranate juice and white sugar. We made ours at home using Alex’s stovetop recipe.
Orange Twist: This is ones of the garnishes. It adds fresh orange aroma and flavor.
Tasting Notes
The El Presidente features aromas of citrus and vermouth, the initial taste of rum mixed with the fortified wine’s flavor, and a hint of grenadine and citrus on the swallow.
Our Opinion of This Cocktail Recipe: We thought this drink was tart, refreshing, and tasty and that it would be especially delicious with savory meals. We’d definitely make it again, just with a little less vermouth next time. The original recipe called for ½ oz more, and we thought that overpowered the other ingredients too much.
Recipe
This cocktail recipe was adapted from The Art of Vintage Cocktails by Stephanie Rosenbaum.
AuthorThe Art of Vintage CocktailsPrep Time5 minsAdd rum, dry vermouth, triple sec, and grenadine to a shaker.
Shake for 10-20 seconds.
Strain into a cocktail glass.
Garnish with orange peel.
Ingredients
Directions
Add rum, dry vermouth, triple sec, and grenadine to a shaker.
Shake for 10-20 seconds.
Strain into a cocktail glass.
Garnish with orange peel.
Tools & Glassware We Recommend
More Rum Cocktails
If you like this rum-based cocktail recipe, here are a few others we’ve tried that you may enjoy:
• Jamaican Mule: A rum cocktail made with ginger syrup, lime juice, pineapple juice, Angostura aromatic bitters, candied ginger, a lime slice, and an orchid blossom
• Airmail: A gold rum cocktail made with lime juice, honey syrup, sparkling wine, and a lime peel
• Dark ‘N’ Stormy: A dark rum cocktail made with lime juice, ginger beer, and a lime wheel
• Mocha Rum Toddy: A rum cocktail made with coffee, dark crème de cacao, simple syrup, whipped cream, and cocoa powder
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