Cuban Havana Old Fashioned
A smooth and robust twist on the classic Old Fashioned featuring Cuban-style aged rum and aromatic bitters. This cocktails-inspired caribbean ready in about 5 minutes pairs aged Cuban rum, demerara syrup, dashes angostura bitters for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 195 calories and feeds 1, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 oz aged Cuban rum
- 0.5 oz demerara syrup
- 2 dashes angostura bitters
- 1 wide strip orange peel
- 1 cube large clear ice cube
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 1 large clear ice cube into a chilled rocks glass.
- Step 2: In a mixing glass filled with ice, combine 2 oz aged Cuban rum, 0.5 oz demerara syrup, and 2 dashes Angostura bitters.
- Step 3: Stir gently with a bar spoon for 30 seconds until well chilled and slightly diluted.
- Step 4: Strain the mixture over the large ice cube in the rocks glass.
- Step 5: Express a wide strip of orange peel over the drink to release oils, twist it, then rest it elegantly on the rim as garnish.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cuban Havana Old Fashioned take to make?
Total time is about 5 minutes (5 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Cuban Havana Old Fashioned?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep aged cuban rum from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cuban Havana Old Fashioned?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Cuban Havana Old Fashioned for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Cuban Havana Old Fashioned?
Cocktails caribbean like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
