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Excellent el Presidente Cocktail

This el presidente cocktail is not well known, but once tasted, it will not be forgotten. It’s delicious, balanced and oh so good! And it looks pretty cool doesn’t it?

The amber cocktail in a coupe glass with it half out of the photo

I heard about this cocktail many years ago, but I never tried it because I wasn’t too sure about the vermouth.  Which is funny because I like the rest of the ingredients.

A lot!

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So, why would the vermouth turn me off?

My tastes weren’t as refined as they are now. In fact, way back then, I wouldn’t have even enjoyed the cocktails I drink now, like the dirty martini and the bourbon Manhattan.

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A little history of the cocktail

To begin with, the el presidente cocktail was invented in Havana, Cuba in the decade of 1910s and achieved great acclaim through the 1940s.  So, I believe it is making a comeback.

The End.

See, just a little history.

😉

Helpful tips

  • If you can’t afford a really good orange liqueur like Cointreau, then triple sec will do.
  • I prefer using gold rum because of the color but if you only have white rum, you can use that. Just know the cocktail won’t be the same color.
  • When I add grenadine, I add it a little at the time. It ends up being around 1/8 of a teaspoon.
  • If you don’t have a coupe glass, a martini glass will do.
  • To cut a lemon twist, either use a channeling knife or cut a thin lemon wheel and remove the flesh from the rind. Wrap the rind around a chopstick and hold it there for a minute.
A coupe glass filled with a golden drink
Photo Credit: Dishes Delish.

How to make the el presidente

Pre-step

Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice and get a measuring glass and coupe glass. Cut a lemon twist and set aside.

After you measure out the ingredients, pour them into the cocktail shaker.

Step one

Gather the ingredients – gold rum, orange liqueur, dry vermouth and grenadine.

Cointreau, rum, vermouth and grenadine on a black background

Step two

Measure out 2 ounces of rum. (A)

Step three

Measure out 3/4 ounce of Cointreau. (B)

Gold rum and Cointreau poured out

Step four

Measure out 3/4 ounce of dry vermouth. (C)

Step five

Measure out 1/8 teaspoon of grenadine. (D)

Dry vermouth and grenadine measured out

Step six

Cap the shaker and shake for 15 seconds.

Strain the contents into the coupe glass and add the lemon twist.

A coupe glass with an amber the el presidente and a lemon twist in it

I certainly wanted to experiment with some moody photos, so here are various views.  Tell me what you think.

Here is the vertical view.

Vertical view of the el presidente with a twist in it with a back blackground

Here is the overhead view. Notice that it doesn’t look as amber as the other photos. It’s more pinkish.

Overhead view of the amber cocktail with the twist floating in it

And another photo, just because.

The amber cocktail in a coupe glass with it half out of the photo

This el Presidente cocktail is delicious, so I can’t wait for you to try it and tell me what you think in a comment.

And as always, may all your dishes/drinks be delish!

If you’ve tried this or any other recipe on the blog, I’d love the hear what you thought about it in the comments below.  I love hearing from you!  You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOKTWITTERINSTAGRAM and PINTEREST  to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!

A coupe glass filled with amber, reddish liquid and a lemon twist - square

Excellent El Presidente Cocktail

This el presidente cocktail is so good.  It’s perfectly balanced and yummy!
5 from 5 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Cocktail
Cuisine: Cocktails
Keyword: el presidente, el presidente cocktail, rum drink
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 Cocktail
Calories: 216kcal

Ingredients

Few Ingredients

  • 2 ounces rum (gold)
  • 3/4 ounce Cointreau (or triple sec)
  • 3/4 ounce dry vermouth
  • 1/8 teaspoon grenadine (or more if you want a darker drink)

Garnish

  • lemon twist (cut a lime wheel and take the fruit away from the rind and then twist around a chopstick)

Instructions

Make It

  • Fill cocktail shaker halfway with ice
  • Add rum, Cointreau, vermouth, and grenadine
    2 ounces rum, 3/4 ounce Cointreau, 3/4 ounce dry vermouth, 1/8 teaspoon grenadine
  • Cap shaker and shake for 15 seconds
  • Strain into coupe glass and twist the lemon rind into it
    lemon twist
  • Sip
  • Sigh
  • Enjoy
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Notes

Helpful tips
  • If you can’t afford a really good orange liqueur like Cointreau, then triple sec will do.
  • I prefer using gold rum because of the color but if you only have white rum, you can use that. Just know the cocktail won’t be the same color.
  • When I add grenadine, I add it a little at the time. It ends up being around 1/8 of a teaspoon.
  • If you don’t have a coupe glass, a martini glass will do.
  • To cut a lemon twist, either use a channeling knife or cut a thin lemon wheel and remove the flesh from the rind. Wrap the rind around a chopstick and hold it there for a minute.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cocktail | Calories: 216kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Sodium: 2mg | Sugar: 7g
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From lighting up stages with her BA in theater to food journalist, Elaine Benoit's journey is a testament to passion's transformative power. As the CEO of Dishes Delish, she offers a blend of healthy, comforting recipes and exquisitely crafted cocktails. Beyond the kitchen, Elaine voiced her culinary adventures on her podcast, "Dishing," and co-owns Food Blogger Help, extending her expertise to guide budding food bloggers to success. Whether it's for a heartwarming dish or insights into food blogging, Elaine's diverse experiences make her a beacon in the culinary digital landscape.

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20 Comments

  1. I’m with you: definitely Moody #3. That, “tossed her cookies, ” and the brief history lesson of the El Presidente cocktails gave me a good case of the giggles. Thanks! I’ll have to try this one out—like, tonight. It just so happens that I have all the ingredients. Don’t judge! 😛

  2. I don’t mean to laugh at your misfortune as a youngster but I am absolutely doubled over at that story!! Hilarious! The cocktail is absolutely beautiful too. So golden and what a stunning photo you’ve taken. I love all those ingredients so I’ll be giving it a go!

  3. WOW, I thought you found the Aqua de vida del Presidente. Love the history, so full of details. This golden drink looks so good that I will have to try it, I need some fountain of youth elixir,… to get born again.

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