El Presidente
/
logo

Make Me a Cocktail

El Presidente
Cocktail recipe

Rating

4.54 / 5
El Presidente is a classic Cuban cocktail named after President Gerardo Machado, who ruled the country in the 1920s. This elegant and sophisticated drink is made with a base of smooth and light white rum, which is complemented by the sweetness and tang of grenadine and the subtle citrus notes of orange liqueur. The addition of white vermouth adds a touch of dryness and complexity to the mix. El Presidente is often served as an aperitif, making it the perfect drink to sip and savor before a meal. With its rich history and refreshing flavour profile, this cocktail remains a beloved choice among both locals and visitors to Cuba.
Check out all our FAQ's on this cocktail

Microbadges

Cocktail Of The Day
Invented
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1920)
Base ingredient
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
White rum
Calories
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
178 calories
Garnish
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Orange
Alcohol content
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
27.75% | 3.33 units *
Details
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Classic
Stirred

Tags

White rum ingredient icon
White rum cocktails

Cocktail glass

Ingredients

oz
ml
cl
White rum cocktail ingredient icon for the El Presidente cocktail
White rum
Grenadine cocktail ingredient icon for the El Presidente cocktail
Grenadine
Orange liqueur cocktail ingredient icon for the El Presidente cocktail
Orange liqueur
White vermouth cocktail ingredient icon for the El Presidente cocktail
White vermouth
Serves:
-
+
cocktail colin avatar

Cocktail Colin says:

5/5

El Presidente elegantly marries the crispness of white rum with the citrusy sweetness of orange liqueur and a hint of grenadine, creating a harmonious balance that’s both refreshing and complex. The white vermouth steps in to round off the sweetness with its subtle dryness, making this cocktail a sophisticated choice that beautifully combines the spirit of 1920s Cuba and the refined tastes of a bygone era.

Method
How to make a El Presidente

Serves 1 · Takes 3 minutes
Stir all the ingredients together in a mixing glass with ice
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass
Garnish with an orange peel twist and serve

Power tips
Elevate the El Presidente with these master mixologist tips

Upgrade to premium

And receive world class tips on how to raise your cocktails to the next level.

Find out more
Use a crystal-clear ice cube made from purified water in your mixing glass; this prevents the drink from becoming cloudy and keeps flavors clean and sharp.
Express the oils from an orange peel over the drink before dropping it in as garnish. This intensifies the citrus aroma and flavor, adding depth to each sip.
Subscribe to premium to receive even more power tips on this cocktail.

El Presidente masterclass

Master the craft of the El Presidente cocktail with one of our cocktail deep dive masterclasses

The History of the El Presidente Cocktail

National Rum Day is quite possibly one of the very best reasons to drink rum. Our classic cocktail o...

Learn more about some of the mixology terms used in this cocktail

·  Stir  ·  Strain  ·  Garnish  ·  Twist  · 

Your private tasting notes

~ Register as a user for free to create tasting notes, save your bar and more ~

Can you make this?

Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.

Comments

No comments yet…

You need to be a user with a verified email to comment on cocktails. Login / register

Featured in

  • Mad Men Cocktails

Mad Men - the American drama based on a Manhattan advertising agency set in the 1960's, is chock fill of...

Go to collection

FAQ's

Origins history icon

What is the origin of the El Presidente cocktail?

The El Presidente cocktail is believed to have originated in Havana, Cuba, during the 1920s. It was named in honor of then-president Gerardo Machado and became a symbol of the celebratory high life during Prohibition in the United States, attracting many Americans to Cuba.

Ingredient substitutions icon

Can I substitute another type of rum in the El Presidente?

While white rum is the traditional choice for an El Presidente, aiming to maintain the cocktail's crisp and refined profile, you can experiment with other types of rum. A light-aged rum could introduce a subtle complexity without overpowering the drink's delicate balance. However, darker rums may significantly alter the flavor and appearance.

Ingredient specifics icon

What type of orange liqueur is best used in the El Presidente?

For the El Presidente, choosing a high-quality orange liqueur is key. Triple sec, Cointreau, or Curacao all work well, with each offering a slightly different nuance. Cointreau is a popular choice for its balance of sweetness and orange essence, complementing the cocktail's profile.

Faq icon

Is it essential to use white vermouth in the El Presidente?

Yes, white (or dry) vermouth is essential for the El Presidente to maintain its classic flavor profile and appearance. White vermouth offers a subtle herbal and floral character that balances the sweetness of the grenadine and orange liqueur. Substituting with another type of vermouth, like red or sweet, would significantly change the taste and character of the cocktail.

Garnishing tips icon

How should the El Presidente cocktail be garnished?

Traditionally, the El Presidente cocktail is garnished with a twist of orange peel to accentuate the citrus notes from the orange liqueur. The essential oils from the peel add a fragrant aroma and a slight zesty flavor when expressed over the drink. Some variations may also include a cherry for an additional layer of color and sweetness.

Upgrade your mixology

Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. Or become a premium member to rise to cocktail greatness.

  • Save your bar forever
  • Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
  • Create personalised cocktail menus for all your events, bars or parties
  • Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
  • Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
  • Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
  • A personalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
  • And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)
Register now for free Find out more about premium

The Ultimate Christmas Cocktail Hub

The ultimate destination for all things Christmas and Cocktails. Crate your own Christmas cocktail, cocktail advent calendars, a host of Christmas themed cocktails and more.

Filter by Christmas cocktails that contain a certain ingredient, or just browse them all. The go-to location this Christmas.

Let's go

Create your own cocktail menu!

Use our interactive cocktail menu creator for free, and create wonderful looking cocktail menus for your next party, gathering or bar.

Great looking pre-built designed themes, group your cocktails, choose what to show on them and a host more options.

Get creating

You might also like

Passion Fruit Mojito

I started making this cocktail after moving to Taiwan which has many tropical and exotic fruits available year round.

Mulata Daiquiri

The Mulata Daiquiri is a sophisticated twist on the classic Daiquiri, combining the crispness of white rum with the tartness...

El Floridita Daiquiri

The El Floridita Daiquiri is a refreshing, citrus-forward cocktail hailing from the renowned El Floridita bar in Havana, Cuba, which...

Royal Bermuda Yacht Club

The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club cocktail is a refreshing and tropical libation, a testament to the sun-soaked leisure of Bermuda's...
* US units estimated based on the standard alcohol content of the ingredients used and the proportions in the recipe. Please drink responsibly.
build your bar

Create a cocktail

Choose a theme and some ingredients, give us some description and we'll create an amazing cocktail for you.

Register as a Premium Make Me a Cocktail community member and get access to an even more powerful creator.

Start creating

Build your bar

Tell us what you have at home and we’ll find a delicious cocktail for you to make right now.

Register as a Make Me a Cocktail community member and we’ll save your ingredients list so you can come back to it at any time.

Create My Bar
build your bar light mode image