What better thoughts conjure up images of life in Old Havana than spending a leisurely afternoon in an outdoor café with good friends and rum and cigars while enjoying one of the signature cocktails for which Cuba is famous? Fresh tropical fruit, local ingredients, and plenty of ice create refreshing drinks to counter the sweltering heat. The critical local element is Cuban rum. Few combinations are better than the marriage of rum and cigars, and neither has to be Cuban for you to enjoy them!
The Most Famous Pairing: the Mojito
The mojito is the drink most synonymous with Cuba. A mojito is to Cuba, as a Pina Colada is to Puerto Rico or a Manhattan is to… Manhattan! It combines rum, soda water, fresh lime juice, sugar, and fresh, crushed mint.
Over time, many variations have risen. Substitutions include tequila or vodka. At its heart, an authentic Cuban mojito is always rum-based. While enjoying a mojito, we recommend a cigar that isn’t shy with its flavor. Something that can stand up to the drink’s tartness, sweetness, and a brisk hint of mint. A nice, fat Nicaraguan Gordo with a Maduro wrapper that packs a punch is our choice to go the distance with the bounty of flavors in the cocktail.
Go Bananas with the Daiquiri
You don’t need to make all daiquiris with bananas or strawberries; consider other fruits (beyond maraschino cherries). Many legends suggest its creation lies in the village of Daiquiri by a mining engineer. It gained fame in the 1930s in a frozen version served at the bar Floridita, one of Ernest Hemingway’s favorite watering holes.
The basic version is white rum, sugar, lemon juice, and maraschino cherries. Ernest Hemingway preferred the Papa Doble, a double shot of rum, and easy on the sugar. To honor the man and the myth, we recommend any Cuban cigar you are lucky enough to get your hands on. In reality, Ernest Hemingway smoked cigarettes while a wartime correspondent; he never really enjoyed cigars. It was always his ties to Cuba that enhanced that myth.
Simple Rum and Cigars: Cuba Libre
Sometimes the essential recipes are the most timeless. For example, the Cuba Libre sprung to life in the early 1900s when Coca-Cola began exporting its colas to Cuba. Cuba Libre, which translates to “Free Cuba,” referenced Cuba’s newly won freedom from Spain. It comprises cola, rum, and a splash of lime and is usually served in a tall glass with plenty of ice.
Given the simple, everyday aspect of the ingredients, we recommend pairing it with your favorite typical smoker. A nice Connecticut shade wrapper, preferably a Lonsdale, will last as long as the drink, so you may maximize your enjoyment time.
Rum and Cigars: The Long Game
Remember, to make these drinks as authentic as possible, you must keep your ingredients fresh. Always make sure you have an ample supply of ice as well! By all means, take some liberties with the recipes to make your own little slice of Havana. There are no wrong combinations, especially for your choice of rum and cigars to complement the cocktails! Cheers!
Photo credit: Pixabay | Anestiev