Old Cuban

Aged rum, mint, lime, sugar, bitters, topped with champagne. Audrey Saunders at Bemelmans Bar, 2004 — a Mojito for grown-ups.

Ingredients

• Aged Rum1½ ounces
• Fresh Lime Juice¾ ounce
• Simple Syrup1 ounce
• Fresh Mint Leaves6 each
• Angostura Bitters2 dashes
• Brut Champagne (float)2 ounces
• Mint Sprig1 each

Directions

Muddle mint gently in a shaker. Add rum, lime, syrup, bitters, ice. Shake until well-chilled. Double-strain into a chilled coupe. Top with champagne. Garnish with a mint sprig.

Notes

Quality aged rum (Bacardi 8, Plantation Original Dark). The champagne float carries the mint aroma upward.