Havana
/

Havana
Cocktail recipe

Rating

4.4 / 5
The Havana cocktail is a refreshing and fruit-forward drink that takes its inspiration from tropical flavors. With a base of tangy lemon juice, the sweetness and apricot notes from the apricot liqueur elegantly blend with the depth and complexity of Swedish Punsch, a traditional liqueur that combines flavors of spices and citrus. The gin adds a botanical dimension that grounds the sweeter elements with its dry, herbal character. Served in a sophisticated cocktail glass, Havana offers a balanced mix of sweet, tart, and strong flavors – a beverage that's as vibrant and lively as the Cuban capital it's named after.
Check out all our FAQ's on this cocktail

Microbadges

Cocktail Of The Day
100 Cocktails To Try Before You Die (Part 2)
Base ingredient
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gin
Calories
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
127 calories
Garnish
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lemon
Alcohol content
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24.17% | 2.18 units *

Cocktail glass

Ingredients

oz
ml
cl
Serves:
-
+
cocktail colin avatar

Cocktail Colin says:

4/5

The Havana cocktail offers a delightful escapade into tropical flavor, with its mix of tangy lemon juice and sweet apricot liqueur setting a lively stage for the intriguingly complex Swedish Punsch. The gin anchors these vibrant components with its dry, botanical notes, resulting in a well-rounded drink that captures the essence of its namesake city's spirited charm.

Method
How to make a Havana

Serves 1 · Takes 3 minutes
Pour all ingredients into a shaker with ice
Shake well then strain into a chilled cocktail glass
Garnish with a lemon peel twist and serve

Power tips
Elevate the Havana 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
Single strain (instead of double straining) the cocktail into the glass to allow tiny shards of ice, providing an extra layer of texture.
Use an apricot liqueur with a high fruit content for a more authentic and vivid apricot flavor.
Subscribe to premium to receive even more power tips on this cocktail.

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

·  Shake  ·  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

~ Not featured in any of your lists, or any public lists, register as a user to create a list and add this cocktail. We'll then show the lists here ~

FAQ's

Preparation techniques icon

What is the best way to chill the glass for serving the Havana cocktail?

The best way to chill a cocktail glass for serving the Havana cocktail is to fill the glass with ice and cold water and let it sit for a few minutes before emptying it. Alternatively, you can place the glass in the freezer for about 15-20 minutes before serving.

Ingredient substitutions icon

Can I substitute another liqueur for the apricot liqueur in the Havana cocktail?

Yes, you can substitute another fruit-flavored liqueur for the apricot liqueur if desired. Peach liqueur or orange liqueur could provide a similar flavor profile, but keep in mind that this will alter the original taste of the Havana cocktail.

Ingredient substitutions icon

What is Swedish Punsch, and is there a substitute for it in the Havana cocktail?

Swedish Punsch is a sweet, spiced liqueur made from rum and sugar, along with other flavors. It's a traditional component in several cocktails. If it's unavailable, a good substitute might be a dark rum or a spiced rum, though this will change the cocktail's flavor slightly.

Customization ideas icon

What makes the Havana cocktail unique compared to other gin-based cocktails?

What sets the Havana cocktail apart from other gin-based cocktails is the unique combination of gin with Swedish Punsch and apricot liqueur, offering a blend of sweetness, tartness, and a hint of spice. This mix provides a distinctive flavor profile not commonly found in other gin cocktails.

Garnishing tips icon

How should I garnish the Havana cocktail for an authentic presentation?

For an authentic presentation, the Havana cocktail can be garnished with a lemon twist or a slice of lemon. This not only adds a decorative touch but also complements the citrus notes from the lemon juice in the cocktail.

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...)

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
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