El Presidente
A Cuban aristocrat: lightly aged rum stirred with blanc vermouth, dry orange curaçao, and a hint of real grenadine—silky and elegant.
22%
ABV
medium
Difficulty
coupe
Glass
Flavor Journey
History & Heritage
“A Havana salon favorite from the 1910s–30s, El Presidente mirrors Manhattan structure with rum, blanc vermouth, and curaçao; a touch of real pomegranate grenadine provides color and poise.”
Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Chill a coupe
Stir all ingredients with ice until well chilled
Strain into the chilled coupe
Express an orange peel over the top; drop a brandied cherry if desired
Glassware
Served up in a chilled coupe
Garnish
Express oils, discard or drop in
Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Use blanc/bianco vermouth—not dry—to keep the floral balance
Measure grenadine sparingly; it should tint, not sweeten
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
Zombie
Don the Beachcomber's infamous blend of rums, citrus, and spice that launched the tiki craze—tropical, potent, and theatrical.
Roy Rogers
The cola cousin of the Shirley Temple—chilled cola with a touch of grenadine over ice and a cherry garnish.
Trader Vic Zombie
A potent and complex tiki cocktail that simplified and popularized Don the Beachcomber's original secret recipe. Victor Bergeron's more approachable version helped make the Zombie a global staple of Polynesian-themed restaurants.