Hail to the Cocktail Chief — The El Presidente

Regardless of who holds the office of the President, there’s never a bad time to have this liquid tribute to a commander in chief. Eddie Woelke, an American bartender in Havana who created the Mary Pickford, gets credit for creating the El Presidente in honor of Presidente Gerardo Machado, the Cuban president at the time (obviously this occurred well before Fidel Castro took over).  In terms of its genesis, the El Presidente is like the Daiquiri, which a different American created in Cuba.

The El Presidente

1.5 ounces clear rum (Cuban if you have it)
.75 ounces dry vermouth
.75 ounces triple sec (preferably Cointreau)
1 dash of glorious grenadine

Combine in a mixing glass with ice, stir with the pomp and circumstance of a state dinner, and strain into a chilled glass.  Orange peel garnish optional.

Technically this recipe is for the El Presidente #2.  Originally it consisted of equal parts clear rum and a particular vermouth, but the recipe evolved over time.  If the cocktail is too sweet for you, add more vermouth and/or cut back on the triple sec. Speaking of triple sec, try to use Cointreau or another clear triple sec because of its lack of color. Unlike the El Presidente #2, the El Presidente #1, which pertains to a prior Cuban president, essentially is a Manhattan that substitutes aged rum for bourbon or rye.

Now that you have the proper cocktail, raise your glass and toast your favorite President!