• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Flour Child logo

  • About Us
  • Recipes
  • Privacy
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Classic Cocktails
  • Dinners
  • About Us
    • Email
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    • A blue serving bowl filled with deviled egg salad garnished with paprika and green onions on a red background.
      Fast and Easy Deviled Egg Salad Recipe with Macaroni
    • Rock Hudson's chicken casserole in a white serving bowl.
      Rock Hudson's Favorite Chicken Casserole Recipe
    • Two gingerbread squares stacked on a Christmas dessert plate.
      Frank Sinatra's Favorite Gingerbread Cake Squares
    • A slice of Sinatra spicy pumpkin pie with a dollop of whipped cream, on a white dessert plate.
      Frank Sinatra's Favorite Spicy Pumpkin Pie Recipe
    • A bowl of chasers chili with chopped onions and oyster crackers on top, and a slice of cornbread on the side.
      Elizabeth Taylor's Favorite Recipe -- Chasen's Chili
    • Chai Sugar Cookies on a white plate on top of a green red placemat, with pinecones and cinnamon sticks in the background
      Taylor Swift's Holiday Recipe for Chai Sugar Cookies
    • A white plate with a mound of spaghetti on it and a stem of basil leaves on top. A fork is holding spaghetti above the plate, a bottle of chianti is in the background.
      Audrey Hepburn's Spaghetti al Pomodoro Pasta Recipe
    • A slice of Elvis Presley's Favorite Pound Cake on a dessert plate, with whipped cream and a strawberry on top.
      Elvis Presley's Favorite Pound Cake Recipe
    • Frank Sinatra's Fettucine Alfredo in a white serving bowl, with a glass of white wine and a basket of breadsticks.
      Frank Sinatra's Favorite Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe
    • Slice of lemon pie on a dessert plate, with the whole pie behind it.
      Frank Sinatra's Favorite Lemon Meringue Pie Recipe
    • Spaghetti and meatballs on a white dinner plate with garlic bread and a glass of chianti.
      Frank Sinatra's Recipe for Spaghetti and Meatballs
    • A bowl of pasta fagioli witting on a red checkered tablecloth with a green napkin, a spoon, a bowl with slices of French bread, a glass of red wine, and a bottle of chianti in the background.
      Dean Martin's Favorite Pasta Fagioli Soup Recipe
    Home » Classic Cocktails » The Cuban El Presidente Classic Rum Cocktail Recipe

    Published: Apr 29, 2023 · Modified: Nov 27, 2023 by Kevin Mayfield · This post may contain affiliate links.

    The Cuban El Presidente Classic Rum Cocktail Recipe

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    The prohibition-era El Presidente rum cocktail is a sophisticated and spirit-forward drink that showcases the flavors of rum, vermouth, and a hint of orange liqueur. Though it has been around since the 1920's, it was very popular in the 1950's when Americans enjoyed a long weekend in Havana.

    El Presidente cocktail in a cocktail glass with a twist of orange peel
    Cocktail time is the perfect time to enjoy the El Presidente, known as the "aristocrat of cocktails."

    This Refreshing Cocktail is a Taste of Old Havana

    Like many classic cocktails, the original creation story for the El Presidente recipe is hard to pin down. There are more than a few rival stories about who created this rum cocktail and when. Was it named for Cuban President Mario García Menocal, or after Cuban President Gerardo Machado? Was it created by American bartender Eddie Woelke at the Jockey Club in Havanna, or at the El Floridita bar (also home of the legendary daiquiri) by head bartender Constantino Ribalaigua? Maybe famed cocktail writer Jack Cuddy was correct when he said Constantino created the original recipe. It was first documented in a cocktail book by John Escalante in 1915 in his "Manual del Cantinero" or Bartender's Manual, but it was unclear of the recipe's origin or ingredients. All of these theories have their supporters and detractors, but hopefully everyone can agree that this is a delicious, great-tasting cocktail with a rich history.

    Havana quickly became a popular vacation spot as Americans flocked to Cuba for fun and sun during Prohibition, and once again in the 1950's. So it became a middle of the century favorite for good reason.

    Ingredients Needed for an El Presidente

    A picture of bottles of ingredients needed for an El President cocktail
    Just a few ingredients are needed to make this great rum cocktail.

    The El Presidente is an easy-to-make, elegant cocktail that can be whipped up with ingredients you probably already have in your bar. What you'll need is:

    • Your favorite light rum; I prefer Bacardi because it is good quality and is readily available in your grocery store or local liquor store. You can use a Cuban rum, but they can be hard to find.
    • Dry vermouth
    • Any orange curaçao (orange liqueur) such as Cointreau or Gran Marinier
    • A dash of Grenadine (a lot of people prefer a real Grenadine such as Liber & Co)

    Chilled with some ice, you'll be enjoying this great drink in no time. Classic recipes like this are why smart home bartenders always have a bottle of rum on the shelf. Rum cocktails are usually easy, taste great, and remind us all of good weather and good times.

    Bar tools needed

    You need a few standard tools to make this drink:

    • Jigger
    • Bar spoon
    • Mixing glass
    • Strainer

    How to Make it

    Pictures of 3 steps to make a cocktail combined into a grouping
    Just a few easy steps are all it takes to mix up this Cuban classic cocktail.

    This drink is very easy to make. Simply follow the steps below:

    1. Pour each of the ingredients into the mixing glass.
    2. Spoon a splash of grenadine into the mixing glass (I usually just use a couple of bar spoonfuls.)
    3. Stir to thoroughly mix and chill ingredients, and then strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass or chilled coupe glass.

    Garnish with an orange twist and it's ready to enjoy!

    Tips for a Successful El Presidente

    Keep these things in mind while mixing up this easy and refreshing cocktail:

    • Choose a quality white rum that helps alleviate that harsh alcohol taste that some lesser rums can have. Bacardi has a smooth, sweet taste that mixes well with the nutty vermouth.
    • Do not overdo it with the real grenadine. It is a very sweet addition and can overwhelm the delicate sweet and nutty flavors of this cocktail. A bit of grenadine goes a long way.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What type of rum is used in an El Presidente?

    You can use any type of rum, but you should typically mix it with a lightly aged rum rather than a dark or golden rum. One of the features of this great cocktail is its red-ish color from the Grenadine, and if you use a dark rum that gets lost. If you can get it, try one of the Cuban rums such as Havana Club.

    How do you drink an El Presidente cocktail?

    You should strain this drink into a chilled cocktail glass or even a coupe glass. This slow sipper will already be chilled from stirring it in the mixing glass, so there's no need for additional ice. Using a stemmed glass, you will not warm the cocktail with the heat from your hand so it will remain nice and cold as you drink it. Also, a cocktail glass give whatever you are drinking a touch of elegance.

    Are there variations of the El Presidente drink?

    Yes, like many classic cocktail recipes with a bit of a murky past, there are several different ways to make this drink. Some older versions call for additions, or refer to ingredients by different names like vermouth Bianco, vermouth blanc (sometimes written as blanc vermouth), French vermouth, Amaro Nonino bitters, Cinzano Bianco, triple sec, pineapple juice, lime juice, lemon juice, Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao (or sometimes written dry Curacao), simple syrup or even apple cider. Modern recipes tend to keep things simple and leave out a myriad of specialty ingredients. Some variations call for equal parts rum and vermouth, while others add extra orange Curacao to make the drink sweeter.

    Looking for more classic rum drinks? Try these great Cuban cocktails: Cuba Libre, Classic Mojito, or a legendary Daiquiri Cocktail. Or for even more tropical flavor, go Tiki and have a Mai Tai.

    Before you go, did you try this cocktail? Why not leave a comment in the comments section along with a rating? I always appreciate hearing from you and getting your feedback.

    El Presidente cocktail in a cocktail glass with a twist of orange peel

    The Classic El Presidente Rum Cocktail

    Kevin Mayfield
    The prohibition-era El Presidente rum cocktail is a sophisticated and spirit-forward drink that showcases the flavors of rum, vermouth, and a hint of orange liqueur.
    No ratings yet
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 1 minute min
    Total Time 6 minutes mins
    Servings 1 cocktail
    Calories 145 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 Mixing glass
    • 1 Bar Spoon
    • 1 Strainer
    • 1 Cocktail jigger

    Ingredients
      

    • 1.5 oz White Rum
    • .75 oz Dry Vermouth
    • .25 oz Orange Curaçao
    • .10 oz Grenadine

    Instructions
     

    • Pour all ingredients into a large mixing glass with ice.
    • Stir vigorously for 30 seconds.
    • Strain into a cocktail glass.
    • Add an orange peel for garnish (optional)

    Notes

    • You should use a quality white rum for a sweet aftertaste.
    • Experiment with various orange liquors to find the right one for you. I prefer Cointreau but others like Grand Marnier.
    • Gradually add Grenadine to avoid over-sweetening.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 145kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 0.02gFat: 0.02gSaturated Fat: 0.01gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 2mgPotassium: 4mgSugar: 4gCalcium: 0.2mgIron: 0.02mg
    Keyword cuban cocktail, el presidente cocktail, mid century cocktails, rum cocktails
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    • Greyhound cocktail with a grapefruit wedge in a cocktail glass
      How to Make a Vodka and Grapefruit Greyhound Cocktail
    • Gin Gibson cocktail in a martini glass on a white bar napkin with an ice bucket in the background.
      How to Make the Best Classic Gin Gibson Cocktail
    • A closeup of a whiskey in a rocks glass
      How to Make The Easy Frank Sinatra 3-2-1 Cocktail
    • An apple butter old fashioned cocktail in a tumbler with apples and fall-related items in the background
      Sip into Fall: How to Make the Perfect Apple Butter Old-Fashioned Cocktail

    More Mid Century Classic Cocktails

    • An amaretto sour cocktail in a small glass with orange slice and cherry
      The recipe for a perfect amaretto sour cocktail
    • The simple, elegant Manhattan cocktail with Bourbon in a cocktail glass
      Classic Manhattan Cocktail with Bourbon
    • Screw driver cocktail in a tall glass with orange slice and orange straw.
      The Original Screwdriver Cocktail Recipe
    • A Zombie Tiki cocktail in a clear tiki mug.
      Easy Zombie Tiki Cocktail Recipe

    About Kevin Mayfield

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Nancy and Bentley

    Hi, I'm Nancy! Welcome to Flourchild where I share classic mid-century recipes from the 1940's - 1970's. I feature many vintage handwritten recipes, and provide modern shortcuts and a variety of healthy and special diet-friendly versions whenever possible. Join me in exploring the delicious flavors and from-scratch cooking techniques of our past!

    More about me →

      Favorites

      • Tuna Noodle Casserole With Buttered Cracker Topping
      • Close up of a sloppy Joe on a bun
        World's Best Sloppy Joes From Scratch
      • Kentucky Style Biscuits and Gravy - A Southern breakfast favorite
      • Two large cinnamon apple pancakes on a black plate with apple topping and maple syrup running down the sides.
        Cinnamon Apple Pancakes with Apple & Brown Sugar Topping
      • Hot Toddy cocktail in a clear mug with a lemon wheel and 2 small cranberries for garnish
        How to Make an Easy Bourbon and Honey Hot Toddy
      • An apple butter old fashioned cocktail in a tumbler with apples and fall-related items in the background
        Sip into Fall: How to Make the Perfect Apple Butter Old-Fashioned Cocktail

      Popular Recipes

      • Pork tenderloin with bacon on top, sitting on a mid century serving platter with a side of French apple sauce.
        Easy Roasted Pork Tenderloin Holiday Dinner Recipe
      • A single square serving of stained glass jello on a white plate.
        Stained Glass Jello Recipe (Broken Glass Jello)
      • Boneless apple cider pork chops on a serving platter, topped with cooked apples and surrounded with fresh sprigs of parsley.
        Boneless Apple Cider Pork Chops
      • Candy Apple Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette

      • Email
      • Instagram
      • Pinterest

      Footer

      ↑ back to top

      About

      • Privacy Policy
      • Accessibility Policy

      Newsletter

      • Sign Up! for emails and updates

      Contact

      • Contact

      As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

      Copyright © 2025 Brunch Pro on the Brunch Pro Theme

      Rate This Recipe

      Your vote:




      Let us know what you thought of this recipe:

      This worked exactly as written, thanks!
      My family loved this!
      Thank you for sharing this recipe

      Or write in your own words:

      A rating is required
      A name is required
      An email is required