White Cuban Cocktail

A silky, spirit-forward variation of the classic White Russian that swaps vodka for Cuban rum and adds a touch of simple syrup. Stirred with ice and topped with a layered float of heavy cream, it has a deep coffee-colored base finished by a luxurious white cap.

smart_display Published 2026-05-11 download Extracted 2026-05-12

5m Prep

5m Total

1 Servings

cocktail rum cuban coffee-liqueur cream stirred after-dinner white-russian-variation

Ingredients

60 ml Cuban rum (Havana Club 3-year-old or any rum of choice, even lightly aged)
30 ml coffee liqueur (Kahlúa or similar; if using a less-sweet liqueur, adjust simple syrup)
5 ml simple syrup (1:1) (one bar spoon / one teaspoon; one part water to one part sugar, heated until clear) optional
30 ml heavy cream (33% whipping cream; can substitute milk, half-and-half, oat milk, or almond cream for dairy allergies)
as needed ice (cubes for the mixing glass and a couple of large cubes for the rocks glass)

Steps

1

Add the Cuban rum, coffee liqueur, and simple syrup to a mixing glass.

Tip: If using a less-sweet coffee liqueur, increase the simple syrup slightly or use a rich (2:1) syrup; if using a sweeter one, reduce or omit.

~1 min
2

Fill the mixing glass about halfway with ice and stir for 20–30 seconds, until the side of the glass feels cold and the dilution is where you want it.

Tip: You can shake instead if you prefer — it's quicker — but stirring keeps the texture silkier for this cocktail.

~1 min
3

Place a couple of large ice cubes in a 10 oz / 300 ml rocks glass and strain the mixture in using a Hawthorne (or julep) strainer.

~1 min
4

Give the heavy cream a brief shake to aerate it, then gently float about 1 oz / 30 ml on top by pouring it slowly over the back of a bar spoon.

Tip: Pouring from a 2 oz jigger filled halfway gives you better control over the layer.

~1 min
5

Serve immediately. You can drink it layered for a creamy first sip, or give it a brief stir to fully incorporate the cream before drinking.

Tip: This cocktail is on the sweeter side — if you find it too sweet, omit the simple syrup next time.

Nutrition (per serving)

320

Calories

Protein

18g

Carbs

11g

Fat

Cultural Context

The White Cuban is a modern riff on the White Russian (vodka, coffee liqueur, cream), substituting Cuban rum to give the drink a deeper, slightly funky sugarcane character that bridges the coffee liqueur and the cream. Cuban rums like Havana Club bring a light-to-medium body with subtle vanilla and oak notes that work especially well alongside roasted coffee flavors, while the addition of a small dose of simple syrup balances the rum's drier profile compared to vodka.