Cuban Cocktail Recipe – La Canchánchara

As someone that travels a lot, I typically don't buy many souvenirs. There is not enough space in my humble writing abode or backpack for much. So my best souvenirs over the years have been recipes. In my book, With New Eyes, I included recipes for tortilla española from my years in Spain as well as a cocktail recipe for a pisco sour from my travels to Peru and Chile. My third book, Cubicle to Cuba, which follows me on many of my years of travel to Cuba, has many Cuban recipes.

As a special summer treat for you, I would like to highlight one of my favorite souvenirs from my adventures in Cuba, in particular a colonial town called Trinidad. Located in South Central Cuba, Trinidad is a spectacular town with cobblestone streets and colorful colonial buildings. It's no surprise that Trinidad's nickname is "The Sleeping Beauty" of Cuba as if someone pressed pause for centuries.

 

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Heidi Siefkas adventuring through "The Sleeping Beauty" of Cuba - Trinidad

Its specialty drink, la canchánchara, uses local ingredients: honey, lime, rum, and sparkling water. To take it a step further, it is even served in a specialized ceramic cup made from local clay. I owe mil gracias to Chichi Santander, featured in the final image, who taught me how to make the perfect canchánchara in his ceramic workshop. 

 

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La canchánchara, typical drink of Trinidad, Cuba

Cuban Cocktail Recipe for La Canchánchara

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz. Cuban rum (ron cubano) or aguardiente
  • 1 tbsp honey (miel)
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice (limón)
  • 1 1/2 oz. soda water (agua gaseaada)
  • Ice (hielo)
  • Ceramic cup or lowball glass
  • Straw or stirring stick

Instructions:

  1. Pour honey and rum into your desired cup or glass.
  2. Stir with straw or stirring stick until most of the honey is dissolved.
  3. Add lime juice, sparkling water, and ice.
  4. Serve with a toast. Salud!

Now, you may think that a canchánchara is easy to make, but difficult to pronounce. I can attest it is rather easy to make AND after one canchánchara pronouncing it gets easier. Don't believe me? Try it!

Do you have a special souvenir (a.k.a. recipe) from your adventures? Please share it in the comments below.

BTW, if you liked this post, sign up for my sassy emails and grab a copy of Cubicle to Cuba (available in English and español). 

Here's to looking up!

Heidi_Siefkas_and_Chi_Chi_Santander_with_Canchanchara_Trinidad_Cuba

4 Responses

  1. We had gone to Cuba and I loved Trinidad the best. It is truly the Sleeping Beauty of Cuba. The drink was fantastic and I make it occasionally in the evening for me and my husband.
    • Heidi Siefkas
      Salud! Have you gone to Santiago and Baracoa?
  2. Heidi, We have been wondering what your friends in Cuba are saying about life there during this Covid time Thanks for the update
    • Heidi Siefkas
      Without tourism, it has been really tough. However, the healthcare system has kept the community and healthcare workers safe. Salud!

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