El Presidente Cocktail Recipe

The El Presidente cocktail recipe is a hidden gem that deserves way more love. While everyone else is reaching for a mojito, we’re over here sipping something smooth, balanced, and packed with character.

This classic Cuban cocktail blends white rum, dry vermouth, orange curaçao, and just a touch of grenadine. The result is a refined yet easygoing drink with the same timeless appeal as a Manhattan but with a little tropical flair.

It got its name in the 1910s after Cuba’s President Mario García Menocal and became a favorite in Havana during its golden age, when great rum was the highlight of every pour. If you’re looking for something elegant but easy to enjoy, this is the drink to make.

Ingredients You'll Need

The secret to a great El Presidente cocktail is simple. Use quality ingredients that work together to create a smooth, balanced drink. Every ingredient matters, so choosing the right ones will take your cocktail from good to unforgettable.

Rum

White rum builds the foundation of this classic Cuban cocktail. A good premium white rum gives it a clean, crisp flavor that lets the other ingredients shine.

For the best El Presidente cocktail, we recommend brands like Bacardi Superior, Havana Club 3 Year, or Plantation 3 Stars.

If you prefer a richer, more complex twist, an aged rum can work too, though it will take the drink in a slightly different direction from the original recipe.

Related: 2 Ingredient Rum Drinks | Easy White Rum Cocktails

Vermouth Blanc

Blanc vermouth adds a touch of sweetness and herbal depth that balances out the rum. We like blanc vermouth better than dry vermouth for its softer, more delicate character.

Great options include Dolin Blanc and Lillet Blanc, both of which bring floral notes and a hint of vanilla.

Since vermouth starts to lose its flavor once opened, it’s best to use it fresh and store it in the fridge to keep it tasting its best.

You might also like: 18 Best Vermouth Cocktails You Should Definitely Try

Orange Liqueur: Curaçao vs. Triple Sec

Orange liqueur brings in that essential citrus flavor with just the right amount of sweetness. You can go with either curaçao or triple sec, depending on the flavor profile you want.

Classic recipes use orange curaçao, which has a deeper, more complex orange flavor with a touch of vanilla.

Triple sec, on the other hand, is brighter and cleaner. If you go this route, Cointreau is a great choice.

Grenadine

A splash of real grenadine made from pomegranate juice adds a subtle fruity sweetness and a rich color. Skip the artificial stuff because it is too sweet and lacks depth.

Homemade grenadine is easy to make by reducing pomegranate juice with sugar until it thickens into a syrup.

A little goes a long way. Just a bar spoon per drink is all you need.

Related: 17 Best Grenadine Cocktails You Need to Try

Optional Garnishes

A fresh orange twist not only looks great but also adds a burst of bright citrus aroma. Just express the oils over the drink before dropping it in.

For a touch of extra elegance, a high-quality maraschino cherry makes a great finishing touch.

And, of course, serving it in a chilled coupe glass makes the whole experience feel even more refined.

How to Make an El Presidente Cocktail

Let’s mix up this classic Cuban cocktail that made a name for itself in the 1920s. It’s smooth, balanced, and packed with character, making it a great choice when you want something refined but easy to enjoy.

First, let’s chill our coupe glass by filling it with ice and water while we get everything else ready.

In a mixing glass, we combine white rum, vermouth, orange curaçao, and grenadine. Getting the right balance is key, so measuring each ingredient carefully makes all the difference.

This cocktail is stirred, not shaken. We add ice to the mixing glass and stir for about 30 seconds until everything is well chilled.

Once our coupe glass is nice and cold, we empty the ice water and strain the cocktail in. The drink should be crystal clear with a beautiful reddish tint.

Want a little more depth? Using a lightly aged rum instead of white rum adds a richer flavor while still keeping it smooth.

For the final touch, we take a thin orange twist, express the oils over the drink, and drop it in.

Now, all that’s left to do is enjoy. Cheers!

The full recipe with exact measurements is in the recipe card below.

Variations on the Classic Recipe

We love playing around with the El Presidente cocktail to explore new flavors while keeping its smooth, balanced character intact. If you’re in the mood to switch things up, here are a few variations worth trying.

• Classic Cuban Style – Stick to tradition with Havana Club 3-Year rum for a crisp, refined finish. If you go this route, reducing the vermouth to three-fourths of an ounce helps the rum stand out.
• Modern Aged Rum Twist – Swap in Bacardi 8 or another aged rum for deeper oak and caramel notes. Pair it with Dolin Blanc vermouth instead of dry vermouth for a softer, well-rounded flavor.
• Sweeter Version – If you like a richer, dessert-like cocktail, increase the orange curaçao to 1.5 ounces and double the grenadine. This brings out more sweetness while keeping the drink balanced.

Pro tip: No matter which version you try, always chill your glassware and use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor.

Start with the classic recipe, then experiment with these variations to find your favorite. Let us know in the comments which one you love most.

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Love This Cocktail? Try These Next!

If you’re a fan of the El Presidente and its smooth, refined Cuban flair, you’ll love these other classics. Each one brings something unique to the table while keeping that same timeless charm.

• Manhattan
• Daiquiri
• Negroni
• Sidecar
• Cuba Libre
• Rum Old Fashioned
• Mezcal Old Fashioned
• Black Manhattan
• Old Pal
• Red Hook

Pro tip: Always keep your vermouth refrigerated and fresh for the best flavor in any of these cocktails. Fresh ingredients make all the difference.

These drinks all share the El Presidente’s elegant appeal, but each brings its own personality. Which one will you mix up next? Let us know in the comments!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is El Presidente made of?

The classic El Presidente recipe calls for white rum, dry vermouth, orange curaçao, and grenadine.

We mix these ingredients in specific proportions: 2 oz rum, 1 oz vermouth, 1 oz curaçao, and a touch of grenadine.

What does an El Presidente cocktail taste like?

The drink offers a smooth, refined blend of flavors with subtle orange notes and a hint of sweetness. The rum provides the backbone while the vermouth adds complexity and depth.

What's the best rum for an El Presidente cocktail?

We recommend using a high-quality white rum for authenticity, though some prefer gold rum for extra richness. The rum should be clean and crisp to let the other ingredients shine through.

What's the best vermouth for El Presidente?

Blanc vermouth creates the most balanced version of this cocktail, offering subtle sweetness and floral notes. Regular dry vermouth works too, but will make the drink less sweet and more herbaceous.

How strong is an El Presidente cocktail?

This cocktail packs a punch, with an alcohol content similar to a Manhattan. The drink contains about 25-30% alcohol by volume.

What is the origin of the name "El Presidente" for this cocktail?

The cocktail got its name from Cuban President Mario García Menocal, who led the country from 1913 to 1921. The drink gained popularity during Prohibition when Americans flocked to Cuba for cocktails.

El Presidente Cocktail Recipe

The El Presidente stands among Cuba's most prestigious cocktails, featuring a refined blend of white rum, vermouth, and orange liqueur. This elegant Cuban classic delivers smooth, citrus-forward notes with a gentle sweetness.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Course Cocktails, Drinks

Servings 1

Equipment

• Mixing Glass
• Bar Spoon
• Jigger or measuring tool
• Hawthorne Strainer
• Fine mesh Strainer
• Coupe or Nick & Nora glass

Ingredients

  

• 1½ oz (45ml) white rum
• ¾ oz (22.5ml) vermouth blanc
• ¼ to ½ oz (7.5-15ml) orange curaçao
• 1 barspoon (3-4ml) grenadine
• Orange peel for garnish
• Maraschino or amarena cherry for garnish

Instructions

 

• Fill a coupe glass with ice and water to chill while we mix the drink.
• In a mixing glass, combine white rum, vermouth blanc, orange curaçao, and grenadine. Add ice and stir for about 30 seconds until well chilled. Empty the ice from the coupe glass, then strain the cocktail through a Hawthorne and fine mesh strainer.
• Express an orange peel over the drink to release its oils, then drop it in. Add a cherry for the final garnish and enjoy.

Notes

• No vermouth blanc? A 50/50 mix of dry and sweet vermouth works as a solid backup.
• Want a richer flavor? Grand Marnier is a great alternative to orange curaçao.
• Looking for extra depth? Swap white rum for an aged rum to add warmth and complexity.

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