Maid in Cuba recipe
A refreshing modern classic pairing white rum with muddled mint, cucumber, and an absinthe rinse.
Method: Stir ·
Glass: Highball glass ·
Time: 5 min ·
Difficulty: Advanced ·
Family: The Daiquiri Family
Ingredients
- 2 oz Light white rum (Bacardi Superior or equivalent clean white rum)
- 3/4 oz Fresh lime juice (Expressed fresh, not bottled)
- 1/2 oz Simple syrup (1:1 ratio sugar to water)
- 1/4 oz Absinthe (Used as a glass rinse or split measure)
- 6 leaves Fresh mint (Plus a sprig for garnish)
- 3 slices English cucumber (Peeled or unpeeled)
- 1 oz Club soda (Chilled, added as a final topper)
How to make a Maid in Cuba
- Rinse a chilled highball or Collins glass with absinthe, discarding excess, and pack with crushed ice.
- In a cocktail shaker, gently muddle the cucumber slices and fresh mint leaves with the simple syrup.
- Add the light white rum and fresh lime juice to the shaker with cubed ice.
- Shake vigorously for ten to twelve seconds until thoroughly chilled and diluted.
- Double strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into the prepared, ice-filled glass.
- Top with chilled club soda and gently stir from bottom to top to integrate.
- Garnish with a fresh mint sprig and a thin cucumber ribbon.
Garnish
a fresh mint sprig and a thin cucumber ribbon
Pro tip
Measure carefully, keep the dilution controlled, and serve Maid in Cuba as soon as it is cold and balanced.
History of the Maid in Cuba
Conceived in 2014 by London-born bartender Tom Walker while working at The American Bar at The Savoy, the Maid in Cuba won the prestigious Bacardi Global Legacy Cocktail Competition that year. It bridges the heritage of Caribbean rum mixology with contemporary craft cocktail sensibilities by merging mint-forward garden drink tropes with classic sour mechanics.
Flavour profile
Herbal, Sweet, Boozy, Citrus
Variations
- Maid in Oaxaca — Substitute light rum with unaged mezcal to introduce a smoky, earthy profile.
- Old Cuban Hybrid — Omit club soda and top with dry sparkling wine, adding two dashes of Angostura bitters.
- Green Park Smash — Swap rum for London Dry gin and muddle fresh basil alongside the mint and cucumber.
Practise making the Maid in Cuba in the free Virtual Bar game.