If you think mulled wine is vile, this warming Cuban Winter cocktail made with rum, cinnamon syrup and fruit juices could be the perfect festive alternative
When the word ‘cocktail’ springs to mind, you might imagine yourself sipping a frosty mojito on a sun-kissed Greek beach – at least that’s my go-to fantasy. And when ‘Christmas’ is mentioned, perhaps you envision cosy mugs of mulled wine by a roaring fire.
But if, like me, you find mulled wine generally repugnant, you might be in search of a tipple with a bit more punch. Enter this stunning winter cocktail. It’s a creation of Havana Club Rum and I reckon it’s the perfect alternative to mulled wine – albeit significantly stronger.
Dubbed a Cuban Winter, it’s concocted with dark rum, cinnamon syrup, pineapple and apple juice, topped off with a fresh apple garnish for a healthy twist. It’s sweet, spicy and warming, with enough rum to help you forget your Yuletide woes.
Turkey turned out dry? No problem, have a Cuban Winter. Grandma and dad are squabbling again? Time for a Cuban Winter. Everyone’s up for a walk and you’d rather stay put – oops, you’ve had one too many Cuban Winters and need a lie down.
Cuban winter cocktail recipe
If you fancy whipping up this recipe at home, here’s what you’ll need:
For the cinnamon syrup
- Half a cup of caster sugar
- Half a cup of boiling water
- 2 cinnamon sticks snapped in half
For the cocktail
- 10ml cinnamon syrup
- 150 ml each of pineapple and apple juice
- 50ml Havana dark rum
- Fresh apple to garnish
To prepare your cinnamon syrup
- Put your sugar and water in a saucepan and bring to the boil over a medium heat.
- Add your cinnamon sticks and turn the heat down
- Cover the pan and let it simmer for five minutes
- Remove from the heat, cover the pan and let it steep for at least an hour
- Store your syrup in an airtight container in the fridge.
To prepare the cocktail
- Pour your two juices and cinnamon syrup into a saucepan and heat on low
- Slice your apples however you like and put them in a heat resistant glass or mug
- Add your rum to the mug
- Once the juice is heated – make sure to not boil it – pour over the rum and enjoy
