DO THE RUMBA!

Kresan Naidu shares a taste of Cuba

CANCHÁNCHARA MAKES 1

The Canchánchara may well be the essence of the Cuban cocktail. It has its roots in the fight for independence and is a drink that would have been a quick fix to any ailments suffered in the sugar cane fields.

5ml (1 tsp) fresh lime juice 10ml (2 tsp) runny honey 50ml Cuban rum

6 large ice cubes

Garnish:

Coffee beans

In a low glass combine 5ml lime juice and the honey. Stir and mix. Add the rum, stir again to completely dilute the honey. Add 6 large ice cubes and stir. Garnish with a few coffee beans on top.

EL PRESIDENTE MAKES 1 EASY

The El Presidente was created by Eddie Woelkhe, a bartender at Sevilla hotel in Havana, Cuba, who previously worked in Paris and New York. He named the drink in honour of General Mario Garcia Menocal, who was Cuba’s third president. In 1924 he added curação to the concoction and dedicated the Presidente Machado to the new presidente, Gerardo Machado, who governed Cuba throughout most of the prohibition years. 40ml Cuban rum

20ml sweet vermouth 10ml (2 tsp) triple sec

5ml (1 tsp) fresh grenadine Garnish:

Twist of orange peel

Combine all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker and pour into a low glass with large ice cubes. Garnish with a twist of orange peel.