How to Make an El Presidente Cocktail

I’m going to show you how I make an El Presidente! This is definitely a good rum drink to know. It’s been called Cuba’s answer to the Manhattan, and was created in honor of Cuban president, Mario Garcia Menocal. The drink’s popularity outlived Menocal’s reign, so when President Gerardo Machado took office, he wanted it claimed in his honor. With the small addition of curaçao, El Presidente was altered to honor Machado and became the drink we know today. Regardless of the namesake, this is a wonderful rum sipper you should claim for yourself.

  • If you like rum, you’ll love this spirit forward cocktail.

  • An “inverted” Manhattan, the blanc vermouth is balanced nicely by the sweetness from the rum.

  • Beautiful in taste & beautiful to look at.

Sips

  • Traditionally the rum called for is a Spanish style light rum, but I am using a white Barbados/Jamaican rum because it has a bit more funk.

  • Chill your glass beforehand.

Tips

  1. Begin with a mixing glass.

  2. Pour in 1 1/2oz. of your light rum.

  3. Add 3/4 oz. of blanc vermouth.

  4. Next, add 1/4 oz. of orange Curaçao

  5. Then add just a barspoon of grenadine. (3-4ml)

  6. Add ice and stir for approx. 30 seconds.

  7. Strain into your glass.

  8. Peel a swath of Orange while over the glass so the oils are expressed over the cocktail.

  9. Cut the edges of the orange swath and fold onto a cocktail skewer.

  10. Add a cocktail cherry to the skewer and place it on side the glass.

El Presidente Recipe

  • 1.5 oz. (45 ml) Probitas White Rum

  • 3/4 oz. (22.5 ml) Dolin Blanc Vermouth de Chambéry

  • 1/4 oz. (7.5 ml) Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao

  • Barspoon (3-4 ml) Grenadine

  • Orange zest and cocktail cherry for garnish

Find some of these ingredients and more as part of my Curiada x Anders Erickson Collection

El Presidente Ingredient List

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