Maid In Cuba Cocktail

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

Rum, lime juice and simple syrup served in an absinthe-rinsed glass and topped with a little club soda is what’s known as a Maid in Cuba.

One of the fascinating things about any given cocktail is the ease with which it can instantly change into an entirely different tipple with the addition or substitution of only one ingredient. Replace the gin in a Negroni with club soda, and now you have an Americano. Swap out the lime juice in a Daiquiri for lemon juice, and suddenly you have a Rum Sour. Tonight’s recipe is no different.

The Maid in Cuba sounds like it’d be a drink invented at the turn of the century, possibly in Havana to cater to well-to-do Americans traveling on holiday. But this recipe is actually a more contemporary concoction. In fact, the Maid in Cuba first popped up a little over a decade ago, in 2014.

British mixologist Tom Walker was the creator of this familiar, yet inventive elixir. Taking inspiration from iconic and classic cocktails, Walker’s new beverage also celebrated the legacy of Cuba and its connection with punchy, lime- and rum-infused sippers like the Daiquiri and Mojito by combining them both into a wholly new and exciting creation. This delicious mixture won him the Bacardi Legacy Global Cocktail Competition for that year, too. Not bad.

With an absinthe rinse and the fresh, crisp presence of cucumber, the Maid in Cuba marries old world charm with a modern, bubbly twist.

What Is The Best Rum To Use In A Maid In Cuba Cocktail?

Our recipe suggests that white rum is used as the spirit base in this recipe. This is a clear, unaged and tropically-tinged liquor used in many popular Caribbean and Tiki concoctions. While you can spend a decent amount of money on expensive bottles and brands, I swear by Bacardi Silver. It’s easy on the wallet and mixes up beautifully in every drink I use it in. There’s always a bottle of it on the shelf at my home bar.

FAQs & Tips

WHAT GLASSWARE AND GARNISH ARE USED?

Chill a cocktail coupe for up to 30 minutes before serving your drink. When you’re ready to pour, give your glass the absinthe rinse, pour the drink in, and top it off with club soda. Garnish with a cucumber slice on the rim.

CAN YOU STORE THE MAID IN CUBA COCKTAIL?

No. This beverage should be made on a drink-by-drink basis, then served and enjoyed immediately.

HOW MANY CALORIES ARE IN A MAID IN CUBA COCKTAIL?

Whenever you enjoy a Maid in Cuba, each glass will carry about 183 calories. Not too heavy, but those numbers can add up quickly.

WHAT IS THE BEST ABSINTHE TO USE FOR THE RINSE?

Now that absinthe is easier to obtain in the United States, as well as other countries, it is best to ask your local purveyor of spirits at the liquor store about what they have, what’s popular and how much they cost. Some bottles are very expensive, and others are more common and cost-effective.

Similar Cocktails To The Maid In Cuba

Rum, lime juice and sugar have been a great team since the earliest days of mixed drinks. Whether the combination is enjoyed by sailors fighting scurvy, or a famous bare-knuckled author of classic novels, these ingredients have simultaneously quenched many a thirst while inspiring the imagination. Check out these mouth-watering recipes for more weekend cocktail ideas.

• Navy Grog – Three kinds of rum help make this tropical tipple a memorable one.
• Hemingway Daiquiri – Papa Hemingway’s preferred version of the classic cocktail.
• Papa Doble – Another name for the Hemingway Daiquiri, because Papa always ordered two at a time.
• Bacardí Cocktail – A little grenadine makes this rum- and lime-flavored treat a bright red looker.