The Havana Special is a classic Cuban cocktail that has taken many forms since its earliest iteration first appeared on the bar menu at La Habana’s famous El Floridita.
The drink was likely created by Constante Ribalaigua, who is credited with creating hundreds of drinks for El Floridita during his tenure as bartender and owner.
However today’s recipe is much different than what Ribalaigua first mixed up and resembles another classic Cuban cocktail, the Mary Pickford, with the inclusion of Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur.
Havana Special
Ingredients
- 2 oz rum
- 3/4 oz pineapple juice
- 1/2 oz lime juice
- 1/4 oz simple syrup
- 1 barspoon Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
Instructions
- Add ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake for 10-15 seconds.
- Double strain into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with a picked cherry.