Last week I shared my favorite simple Champagne Cocktail recipe, this week we are taking it up a notch and adding some rum into the equation to make an Old Cuban cocktail. With New Years Eve just days away, do you know what cocktail you will be serving? We are planning to have Old Cubans, because we are in Florida after all, so why not have a tropical New Years?! Lime and mint are some of my favorite additions to cocktails so therefore an Old Cuban is something I always order when it is on a cocktail menu! But in the past few years, we have started making this sweet drink at home! See below for the simple recipe that you can whip up to enjoy this holiday! If you are looking for more cocktail inspiration, click here for some of my other favorite cocktails!

The Old Cuban Cocktail Recipe

• ingredients and direction for one cocktail
• 6 mint leaves, and a full mint sprig for garnish
• 1.5 tablespoons of lime juice
• 2 tablespoons simple syrup 
• 3 tablespoons amber rum 
• 1 or dashes of angostura bitters
• 2 ounces of champagne 
• 1 lime slice 

1. Make your simple syrup. (A great cocktail ingredient to have handy in your bar!) Combine equal measures of sugar and boiling water in a container, shake well. The sugar will dissolve to create a liquid mixture. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 week.  
2. In a shaker add the mint leaves and the lime juice. Gently muddle the mint leaves. 
3. Add the simple syrup, the rum, the bitters and a big handful of ice into the shaker. Shake until liquid is chilled. Strain into a cocktail glass. 
4. Add champagne to the cocktail glass. 
5. Add lime and mint for a garnish and enjoy! 

Image and inspiration from NYTimes Cooking.