Uploaded August 2015 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Learn how to make the perfect El Presidente (aka the Cuban President) by using the original 1920's recipe and the original ingredients. Chances are you've been making El Presidente all wrong. If you make it with Dry Vermouth, you're making a different cocktail. A true El Presidente is made with White Vermouth, White Rum, Curaçao and Grenadine.
Curaçao is the preferred triple sec, but if you have to sub in another Orange Liqueur, I'm sure it won't hurt. However, don't mess around with the Grenadine (youtu.be/4e2xNt385H4) or the Maraschino Cherries (youtu.be/FXLI4XvFlPo), if you don't want to make your own, make sure you get some really good off-the-shelf versions.
For years, this drink has been printed and reprinted with the wrong vermouth in the recipe. As David Wondrich points out (imbibemagazine.com/el-presidente-cocktail-history/), the original recipe made popular in the 20's called for Vermouth de Chambery, which today is known as Dolin Blanc (aka White Vermouth).
White Vermouth makes a huge difference. The harshness and pucker of the Dry Vermouth version (made 2:1, Rum to Dry Vermouth) is gone. It's smooth and inviting. It's made 1:1. Dangerously sippable and almost pure booze. It is how the drink was intended to be enjoyed. Take the Pepsi Challenge, try them side-by-side. You'll agree. It makes getting a bottle of White Vermouth essential, if only to make proper El Presidentes. ¡Salud!
Recipe:
1.5 oz Rum
1.5 oz White Vermouth (aka Blanc Vermouth, aka Bianco Vermouth)
1 tsp Curaçao
0.25 tsp Grenadine
garnish Orange Twist & Maraschino Cherry
Stir ingredients with ice. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with Orange Twist and Maraschino Cherry
Alternate Recipe (more modern, but not as good)
1.5 oz Rum
0.75 oz Dry Vermouth
1 tsp Curaçao
0.25 tsp Grenadine
garnish Orange Twist & Maraschino Cherry
Stir ingredients with ice. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with Orange Twist and Maraschino Cherry
Follow Us!
facebook.com/DistinguishedSpirits
instagram.com/distinguishedspirits
twitter.com/DistinguishedSp
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Featured in This Episode:
Crusoe Organic Silver Rum
http://www.greenbar.biz/CRUSOE-Organi...
Dolin Blanc Vermouth
http://www.dolin.fr/gb/vermout_blanc_dolin.html
Pierre Ferrand Dry Orange Curaçao
pierreferrandcuracao.com/en/section/view/210
Luxardo Maraschino Cherries
amzn.to/1T9TMGs
Martini & Rossi Bianco
martini.com/content/martini/us/en-us/home/products/martini-bianco.html
Bar Tools:
Nick & Nora Glass
amzn.to/1NdX7Tn
OXO Graduated Double Jigger
amzn.to/1EP3Cp8
Measuring Spoons
amzn.to/1JQaABS
Barspoon
amzn.to/1FfLxB4
Vegetable Peeler
amzn.to/1AA2s69
Mixing Glass
amzn.to/1QgQ7oN
Hawthorne Strainer
amzn.to/1FfK2mB
Mixing Glass & Hawthorne Strainer
amzn.to/1FT6maj
Learn how to make the perfect El Presidente (aka the Cuban President) by using the original 1920's recipe and the original ingredients. Chances are you've been making El Presidente all wrong. If you make it with Dry Vermouth, you're making a different cocktail. A true El Presidente is made with White Vermouth, White Rum, Curaçao and Grenadine.
Curaçao is the preferred triple sec, but if you have to sub in another Orange Liqueur, I'm sure it won't hurt. However, don't mess around with the Grenadine (youtu.be/4e2xNt385H4) or the Maraschino Cherries (youtu.be/FXLI4XvFlPo), if you don't want to make your own, make sure you get some really good off-the-shelf versions.
For years, this drink has been printed and reprinted with the wrong vermouth in the recipe. As David Wondrich points out (imbibemagazine.com/el-presidente-cocktail-history/), the original recipe made popular in the 20's called for Vermouth de Chambery, which today is known as Dolin Blanc (aka White Vermouth).
White Vermouth makes a huge difference. The harshness and pucker of the Dry Vermouth version (made 2:1, Rum to Dry Vermouth) is gone. It's smooth and inviting. It's made 1:1. Dangerously sippable and almost pure booze. It is how the drink was intended to be enjoyed. Take the Pepsi Challenge, try them side-by-side. You'll agree. It makes getting a bottle of White Vermouth essential, if only to make proper El Presidentes. ¡Salud!
Recipe:
1.5 oz Rum
1.5 oz White Vermouth (aka Blanc Vermouth, aka Bianco Vermouth)
1 tsp Curaçao
0.25 tsp Grenadine
garnish Orange Twist & Maraschino Cherry
Stir ingredients with ice. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with Orange Twist and Maraschino Cherry
Alternate Recipe (more modern, but not as good)
1.5 oz Rum
0.75 oz Dry Vermouth
1 tsp Curaçao
0.25 tsp Grenadine
garnish Orange Twist & Maraschino Cherry
Stir ingredients with ice. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with Orange Twist and Maraschino Cherry
Follow Us!
facebook.com/DistinguishedSpirits
instagram.com/distinguishedspirits
twitter.com/DistinguishedSp
pinterest.com/DistinguishedSp
Featured in This Episode:
Crusoe Organic Silver Rum
http://www.greenbar.biz/CRUSOE-Organi...
Dolin Blanc Vermouth
http://www.dolin.fr/gb/vermout_blanc_dolin.html
Pierre Ferrand Dry Orange Curaçao
pierreferrandcuracao.com/en/section/view/210
Luxardo Maraschino Cherries
amzn.to/1T9TMGs
Martini & Rossi Bianco
martini.com/content/martini/us/en-us/home/products/martini-bianco.html
Bar Tools:
Nick & Nora Glass
amzn.to/1NdX7Tn
OXO Graduated Double Jigger
amzn.to/1EP3Cp8
Measuring Spoons
amzn.to/1JQaABS
Barspoon
amzn.to/1FfLxB4
Vegetable Peeler
amzn.to/1AA2s69
Mixing Glass
amzn.to/1QgQ7oN
Hawthorne Strainer
amzn.to/1FfK2mB
Mixing Glass & Hawthorne Strainer
amzn.to/1FT6maj
