Below are my picks for the best Cuban drinks, made with a quality non-alcoholic spirit. Not many people know it, but a lot of the commonly ordered tropical cocktails originated in Cuba. Whether or not you have been lucky enough to visit this beautiful country, you have probably tasted a bit of the culture somewhere.
Cuban Drinks Non Alcoholic Rum Impressively Helps Imitate
These drinks are typically made with the regional favorite spirit, rum. Luckily, we have found an excellent light or white rum substitute in Lyre’s White Cane Spirit. It has proven to make delicious non alcoholic Cuban drinks, and these are sure to transport you to a tropical paradise. You can read the full review here.
Mojito Mocktail Recipe
No one can represent Cuba without mentioning the Mojito. The Mojito is a minty, sweet, and refreshing cooler for those hot and steamy tropical days. We see no reason there can’t be a non-alcoholic Mojito that serves the same purpose. Meet the Mojito Mocktail: it will cool you down while you spice things up.
You’ll Need:
- Lyre’s White Cane Spirit
- Simple syrup
- Lime juice
- Mint leaves
- Club soda
Non-Alcoholic Classic Daiquiri
The Daiquiri is rumored to have been named by an American mining engineer in Cuba, as there is a beach and a mine with the same name near Santiago de Cuba. It’s similar to a margarita, with rum as a base instead of tequila. This version is a classic daiquiri, served up. Tart and refreshing! Lyre’s White Cane Spirit makes this non-alcoholic daiquiri one worth abstaining from, at least for one drink [wink].
You’ll Need:
- Lyre’s White Cane Spirit
- Lime juice
- Simple syrup
Cuba Libre Mocktail
Cuba Libre (or Rum and Coke) is a very common drink in Cuba, simple to make with few ingredients. The name of this drink was a slogan in the movement for Cuban independence in the late 1800s. Any type of cola will work. Add a splash of lime, and you’ve got yourself a glass of freedom from alcohol in this Cuban non-alcoholic drink.
You’ll Need:
- Lyre’s White Cane Spirit
- Lime juice
- Coca-Cola
About Lyre’s
Lyre’s is an Australian beverage company that’s offering “crafted homages to the intensity, balance and beauty of time-tested classics.” I definitely think this is true for their White Cane Spirit. The branding is great. The bottles are really fun and creative: cute quotes and well designed graphics help them stand out.
White Cane Spirit is clear, slightly viscous, and has a sweet and nutty flavor with a nice bite.
Click here for the best available price for Lyre’s White Cane Spirit on Amazon.
More White Rum Mocktails
Since rum is heavily produced all over the Caribbean (not just Cuba), you might want to explore other regional cocktails besides Cuban drinks non alcoholic spirits like Lyre’s can imitate. The Piña Colada is a favorite beverage in Cuba, but actually originated in neighboring Puerto Rico. It’s a juicy, sweet, and a truly tropical cocktail.
Piña Coladas are typically made with light rum. For a non-alcoholic Piña Colada, try the Frozen Non-Alcoholic Piña Colada – designed to melt all your worries away, while still keeping you sharp. Lyre’s also has their own “rocks” version of the beverage and my adaptation of their recipe can be found here.
Or perhaps you are looking for a sweet mocktail…
Non-Alcoholic Sweet Drinks
If you like these Cuban drinks non-alcoholic rum fits, then you will probably like other sweet drinks. While rum is often found in a lot of the popular tropical cocktails, you will find there is a whole new world of alcohol free spirits to explore. For examples of sweet mocktails, taste-tested and approved, browse our collection of mocktail recipes, made with zero proof spirits and quality ingredients.
Mixology with Alcohol Free Spirits
Interested in mixology? Try experimenting with your own sweet mocktails using these common ingredients:
- Syrup (honey syrup, simple syrup, or agave syrup)
- Sweet fruit like pineapple, watermelon, mango, lychee
- Mixers like tonic water or club soda
- Fresh sweet herbs like mint or basil
- Citrus
You should also consider making a batch of honey syrup or simple syrup to keep in the fridge for happy hour. Most Cuban drinks call for simple syrup. It has a clean flavor that simply adds sweetness to a drink. It’s a 1:1 mix of water and white sugar. Honey syrup often adds a depth of flavor and balance to a mocktail that you wouldn’t otherwise get with a simple syrup. The ratio is the same, and you can experiment with different types of honey for subtle variations.
A lot of mocktails can be made multiple ways, and this is especially true for those that originated in warm climates. Try using frozen fruit and ice to blend up a frozen version. This is especially handy when you are serving a group.
Tropical Mocktail Flair
If you’re mixing up a tropical mocktail, you can’t forget the garnish and flair. Consider investing in a fun glassware or even tiki glasses. Fruit can be cut up in different ways to make a garnish, like a lime wedge vs a lime wheel vs a lime peel. Play with your leftover pineapple cutoffs, and have fun with it! Take your drink up a notch and add a paper umbrella, fancy straw, or stir stick.
Hopefully you enjoy these non-alcoholic versions of Cuban drinks. As always, I love to hear how you are using non-alcoholic spirits, and if you get a chance to try Lyre’s White Cane Spirit or these mocktails, on Instagram, use #masterofmocktails or tag @masterofmocktails!
