El Presidente
CoupeStir
Origin
Eddie Woelke · Sevilla-Biltmore Hotel, Havana · 1920
American expat bartender Woelke refined and popularized the drink at the Sevilla-Biltmore in Havana in the 1920s. The 1924 Manual del Cantinero claims earlier 1910s creation honoring Cuban President Mario García Menocal; the Machado-era variant adds curaçao.
A Cuban classic from the Prohibition era — silky, aromatic, and dangerously smooth.
Ingredients
- 1½ oz White Rum
- ¾ oz Dry Vermouth
- ½ oz Cointreau
- 1 barspoon Grenadine
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice.
- Stir for 20–30 seconds until well chilled.
- Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
- Garnish with an orange twist.
Tips
- The grenadine adds color and a whisper of sweetness — don't overdo it.
- Use a quality aged Cuban-style rum for authenticity.