Havana is great for drinks - The rum inventions more than you think

Dear blogreaders, as a certified bartender, rum drinks is a given blog topic during a trip to Cuba.

As the only? country in the world with a "Sugar

Ministry" Cuba is a natural Rum place.

Bacardi originate from here, and their former head quarters is a great neo classical building in Down Town Havana. Today Havana Club is today the dominating local Brand. Rum is created in 7 steps and just destilled once. 6 percent of the rum vaporize each year in the aging process. Anything upto 5 years is great for Rum and Coke. 7 years and upwards great for straight rum zipping. 100 year old rum can be bought for $1700 per bottle ....

The Floridita bar is the cradle of the Daiquiri. The bar is from 1817 and the Daiquiri was invented 1910. For a long time I have struggled with the pronounciation and the correct one is [Daj-kirrí]. Hemingway used to come here in the 50's for his Daiquiris, and from what I can tell it was a dialy habit. In the drink preparation the Floridita bar tenders used the mixer exceptionally long to get the right slushy nature of the drink. Served without garnish but with a short straw in Martini glasses. My clear Cuban favourite.

The Bodeguita del Medio bar is the home of the Mojito [Mo-hitou]. Even this bar is famous for being a Hemingway place. A small bar with just a handful of chairs. Most of the time trow in a trio band to make it even more crowded. Plenty of mint leaves in the drink. Second in my ranking.

Cuba Libre, Rum, Coke (or the local KuKola) and lime juice is another famous rum drink born here. 50/50 rum and coke is the norm. Varyiing degree of Lime to serve different tastes.

Pina Colada based on Rum, Coconut juice and Pineapple juice. Often served as straight juice, with a rum bottle to let you pour in rum to our own taste. A bit dangerous since thejuices neutralize most of the rum. By the time you feel the rum taste it is strong!!!