Cuban Rum Manhattan Cocktail Recipe

Looking for a smooth, sophisticated drink to enjoy during a quiet evening with friends? This Cuban Rum Manhattan cocktail is just what you need! It’s the kind of slow-sipper that belongs in a cozy speakeasy corner, bringing old-world charm to your home bar. Easy to make but rich in flavor, this drink will have everyone asking for your secret recipe.

The Perfect Twist on a Classic

The Cuban Rum Manhattan takes the classic Manhattan we all know and gives it a fun tropical twist! Instead of regular whiskey, we use rum – the favorite spirit of Cuba. This simple swap creates a drink that’s smooth, sweet, and perfect for sipping on warm evenings.

Rum Manhattan Recipe Ingredients

Even though there aren’t many ingredients involved in making this cocktail, they make a difference.

Dark rum (not spiced rum – the good stuff makes a difference!). In this recipe, we used two different dark rums but you can make it with one quality rum. Our choices are listed in the recipe card.

Sweet vermouth (the red kind). Vermouth is actually a fortified wine and we use a small amount but it’s not an optional ingredient. It lasts quite awhile so once you open it you’ll want to refrigerate it.

Bitters. A couple dashes of Angostura bitters.

Cocktail cherries. We prefer Bada cherries. They’re a dark bing cherry that’s rich and delicious.

How to Make It (So Easy!)

1. Fill your cocktail shaker with ice
2. Pour in 3 ounces of dark rum.
3. Add 1 ounce of sweet vermouth.
4. Drop in 2-3 dashes of bitters.
5. Shake it all up until the outside of the shaker feels cold.
6. Strain into a pretty cocktail glass.
7. Add a cherry or two for that perfect finishing touch.

What To Look For When Buying Dark Rum

Dark Rum vs. Spiced Rum – Know the Difference!

For this cocktail, we use dark rum, not spiced rum. What’s the difference?

Dark rum is aged longer in charred oak barrels, giving it a rich, deep color and flavor with hints of caramel, molasses, and sometimes vanilla or tropical fruits. It’s naturally sweet without added flavorings.

Spiced rum has extra spices mixed in like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. It’s tasty in tropical drinks, but those extra spices would change our Manhattan’s classic flavor.

Shopping Tip: Finding a Good Dark Rum!

When buying dark rum for your Cuban Manhattan, look for bottles labeled “aged” or “añejo.” Avoid anything that says “spiced” or has a pirate on the label (those are usually spiced rums)! A good dark rum should cost between $20-35 or more and will mention things like “oak barrel aging” or “molasses” on the label. The color should be a rich amber or mahogany – the deeper the color, usually the richer the flavor!

What Are Bitters and Why Do We Need Them?

Bitters might seem mysterious if you’re new to making cocktails, but they’re super important! They’re like the salt and pepper of the cocktail world.

Bitters are made by soaking herbs, spices, fruits, and roots in alcohol. They come in small bottles, and you only use a few drops at a time. Angostura bitters (the kind with the oversized label) are the most common and perfect for this drink.

What do bitters do? They add depth and balance to cocktails. Without bitters, our Cuban Manhattan would taste flat and too sweet. Those few drops wake up all the other flavors and tie everything together. They add a hint of spice and complexity that makes the drink taste “finished” – like something you’d get at a fancy bar!

Make It Your Own!

Love orange? Try a small orange peel twist instead of cherries.

Like it sweeter? Add a tiny splash of cherry juice from the jar which is the way I like them. John’s more of a purist and doesn’t want anything interfering with the smooth jazzy feel of this boozy rum cocktail.

Want it stronger? Use a little less vermouth.

Why You’ll Love This Drink

This Manhattan with rum is perfect when you want something special without a lot of work. It’s fancy enough for a dinner party but easy enough to make for yourself after a long day. The rum gives it a hint of sweetness that whiskey doesn’t have, making it smoother and more approachable if you’re not a big whiskey fan.

We enjoyed a rum tasting in the Dominican Republic. Since then we’ve tried some amazing rums from other countries which have helped us determine the rum we like in this Dark Rum Manhattan.

This is a sipper, not the drink that is served on “booze cruises” and tastes like fruit punch. And, you’ll never see it served with a cute little umbrella. It’s a too smooth and sexy for that.

I hope you enjoyed this delicious recipe as much as we do. Drop me a comment below, and don’t forget to give it a star rating. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. Your comments and ratings help others decide if this recipe is for them too.

We love a good cocktail! You can find all of our great cocktails here!

Still looking for cocktails?

If you like a delicious cocktail like this Cuban Manhattan cocktail, take a look at our Campari Cocktail, Black Gold Cocktail, Italiano Cocktail, and Godmother Cocktail. They’re serious sippers too.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Don’t forget to pin it for later and follow me on Pinterest for more delicious recipes like this one!

This simple Cuban Dark Rum Manhattan recipe was first published on August 10, 2017. It has been updated to make it better for our readers. No changes were made to the actual recipe.